Virginia Union University's Taylor Hamilton and Shekinah Stewart have been named to the 2016 Pre-Season All-CIAA Softball Team, the CIAA announced on Friday, February 5.

Hamilton, a senior outfielder from Willingboro, N.J., was named All-CIAA at the left field position.  Hamilton led the nation with 40 RBIs in 27 games, an average of 1.48 RBIs per game in 2015.

Stewart, a senior from Woodbridge, Va., was named All-CIAA at second base.  Stewart led the Lady Panthers with 17 stolen bases last season as well as batting .351.

The Lady Panthers were picked to finish third in the Northern Division, behind Chowan and Virginia State.  VUU was picked to finish sixth overall in the CIAA.

 Virginia Union opens the 2016 softball season with a double-header against Elizabeth City State University beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, in Elizabeth City, N.C.