Oakwood duo, Voorhees' Sims take Week 3 HBCUAC Softball Awards

Oakwood swept Lane. Ta'Keviya Sims delivers another strong performance for Voorhees.

February 17, 2026

NEW ORLEANS - Oakwood University shortstop Jordan Howard wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference Softball Player of the Week. Emma Newby claims Pitcher and Freshman of the Week. Voorhees University's Ta'Keviya Sims repeats as Newcomer of the Week. The ladies were recognized for their performance between February 9-15, the conference announced on Tuesday.

Howard recorded four hits in six at-bats and scored four runs while driving in three to lead the Lady Ambassadors to a sweep over Lane College. She hit a triple in the opener and a double in the finale. Howard made one putout at shortstop.

Newby earned two victories in the circle. She threw a four-hit shutout in the opener and struck out 10 batters. Newby earned the win in the second game striking out 10. At the plate, she recorded two hits and scored three runs.

Sims tallied three hits, including a double and scored a run in a doubleheader against Spartanburg Methodist on Friday. She stole two bases and was perfect in three fielding chances with two putouts and an assist.

Additional softball weekly nominees: Apryl Davis (Voorhees), Avery Lumpkin (Stillman), Jasmine Wade (Stillman), Kyhliyah Moore (Voorhees)

2026 HBCUAC Softball Players of the Week

Date	Player	Pitcher	Freshman	Newcomer
Jan. 26-Feb. 1	Alayali Alaniz, Huston-Tillotson	N/A	N/A	N/A
Feb. 2-8	Alex Erwin, Stillman	N/A	Eddrain Schenkel, Voorhees	Ta'Keviyia Sims, Voorhees
Feb. 9-15	Jordan Howard, Oakwood	Emma Newby, Oakwood	Emma Newby, Oakwood	Ta'Keviya Sims, Voorhees

About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.