Johel Chosen as Canisius Female Athlete of the Year

Softball sophomore outfielder Ella Johel has been chosen as the 2024-25 Canisius Female Athlete of the Year, athletic department officials announced on Friday.

Johel was selected after a fan vote on GoGriffs.com. The other nominees were Francesca DiCamillo (rowing), Maddie Fitzgerald (women's lacrosse), Jaela Johnson (women's basketball), Kara Zaucha (volleyball) and Alicia Zamora (women's soccer).

Johel is the seventh different softball player to be named Canisius' Female Athlete of the Year, and her selection this year extends the softball program's streak of winning the University's top individual female honor to five-straight years, going to back to Kara Paradowski winning the award in 2021.

A native of East Amherst, N.Y., Johel started all 52 games for the Golden Griffins in 2025, where she hit a team-best .395, which ranked fifth in the MAAC. Overall, she ranked among the top five hitters in the MAAC in eight different offensive statistical categories, including batting average, hits (68), doubles (15), triples (9), RBI (45), runs scored (43), slugging percentage (.674) and OPS (1.101). Her 15 doubles this season were tied for fourth-most by a Canisius player in a single-season and her nine triples ranked third best in the nation.

Johel led the Griffs with 22 multi-hit games and she drove in multiple RBI in 12 games, which also led the team. Of her 45 RBI on the season, 22 of those came with two outs.

In addition to being named to the All-Northeast Region Second Team, Johel was named to the 2025 All-MAAC First Team and she earned MAAC All-Academic Team honors for her work in the classroom, as well.

The nominees for the 2024-25 Canisius Male Athlete of the Year will be announced on June 23.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Ella Johel: OF; 5' 5"; Sophomore; L/R

Players Mentioned

#10 Ella Johel
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

Players Mentioned

#10 Ella Johel

Players Mentioned

#10 Ella Johel