The Texas Volts celebrate beating the Carolina Blaze 1-0 in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

The Texas Volts celebrate beating the Carolina Blaze 1-0 in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts Ally Carda (3) slides home to score the only run of the game in the eighth inning to beat the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts Ally Carda (3) slides home to score the only run of the game in the eighth inning to beat the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) celebrates a strikeout in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) celebrates a strikeout in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) pitches in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) pitches in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) throws the ball to second base in the third inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) throws the ball to second base in the third inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanFans scream for t-shirts during a pause in the seventh inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Fans scream for t-shirts during a pause in the seventh inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanCarolina Volts pitcher Aleshia Ocasio (8) pitches in the first inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Carolina Volts pitcher Aleshia Ocasio (8) pitches in the first inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts outfielder Jaydyn Goodwin (12) throws to first base in the third inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts outfielder Jaydyn Goodwin (12) throws to first base in the third inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanA Texas Volts fan wears a bow as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

A Texas Volts fan wears a bow as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanCaroline Blaze pitcher Aleshia Ocasio (8) pitches in the first inning as the Texas Volts play the Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Caroline Blaze pitcher Aleshia Ocasio (8) pitches in the first inning as the Texas Volts play the Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) scoops up a ball in the third inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) scoops up a ball in the third inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanA young fan holds a softball in in the first inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

A young fan holds a softball in in the first inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) pitches to Carolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) in the first inning as the Volts play the Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) pitches to Carolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) in the first inning as the Volts play the Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) celebrates the end of the sixth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) celebrates the end of the sixth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) slides to second base in the third inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) slides to second base in the third inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanCarolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) smiles at the end of the fourth inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Carolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) smiles at the end of the fourth inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanCarolina Blaze pitcher Keilani Ricketts (10) pitches in the fourth inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Carolina Blaze pitcher Keilani Ricketts (10) pitches in the fourth inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) leaps into her teammates arms after the winning hit in the eighth inning to beat the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Texas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) leaps into her teammates arms after the winning hit in the eighth inning to beat the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) leaps into her teammates arms after the winning hit in the eighth inning to beat the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Texas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) leaps into her teammates arms after the winning hit in the eighth inning to beat the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) pitches in the first inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) pitches in the first inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) runs to third base in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) runs to third base in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) runs to first base in the fifth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts outfielder Rylie Boone (5) runs to first base in the fifth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts infielder Leighann Goode (43) bats in the fifth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts infielder Leighann Goode (43) bats in the fifth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) celebrates ending the seventh inning without allowing a run as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) celebrates ending the seventh inning without allowing a run as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanCarolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) bats in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Carolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) bats in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts Head Coach Ricci Woodard watches from the dugout in the fourth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts Head Coach Ricci Woodard watches from the dugout in the fourth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanTexas Volts infielder Sierra Romero (32) bats in the fifth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Texas Volts infielder Sierra Romero (32) bats in the fifth inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanCarolina Blaze infielder Ana Gold (4) catches a ball in the seventh inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Carolina Blaze infielder Ana Gold (4) catches a ball in the seventh inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanThe Texas Volts celebrate their extra innings 1-0 win over the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

The Texas Volts celebrate their extra innings 1-0 win over the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

ROUND ROCK — According to her head coach, fans across the country are excited to see former Texas softball catcher Reese Atwood in action. This weekend in the Austin area, though, the anticipation might have been a little higher.

The two-time national champion with the Longhorns now stars for the Carolina Blaze of the Athletes Unlimited Sports League. And Friday, her team began a three-game series against the Texas Volts, the professional softball outfit that makes its home at Dell Diamond about 20 miles north of UT’s campus.

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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode, right, looks up at catcher Reese Atwood, left, during a national championship celebration at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, June 6, 2026 in Austin.

Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode, right, looks up at catcher Reese Atwood, left, during a national championship celebration at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, June 6, 2026 in Austin.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-StatesmanCarolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) bats in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Carolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) bats in the third inning as the Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanCarolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) smiles at the end of the fourth inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Carolina Blaze catcher Reese Atwood (15) smiles at the end of the fourth inning as the Texas Volts play the Carolina Blaze in the first of a three game series on Friday night, July 10, 2026 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Volts beat the Blaze 1-0 in the eighth inning.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Even though she has traded her burnt orange for the Blaze’s black and pink, softball fans showed a lot of love to the former All-American. 

“I was so excited to be able to come home and see my family, my friends, my teammates, everything,” Atwood said after the Volts took Game 1 Friday. 

The Volts honored Texas’ Women’s College World Series-winning softball team before the opener and some of the loudest cheers from the Volts faithful were for Atwood. But the return home was especially sentimental since Longhorns ace Teagan Kavan threw the ceremonial first pitch to Atwood, who crouched behind the plate. (Atwood’s former teammate Leighann Goode also starts for the Volts.)

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“I don’t think that (will) be the last time I catch for her, so I’m excited for what the future holds,” Atwood said, alluding to the fact that Kavan could join the AUSL after her senior season in 2027.

TEXAS VOLTS VS. CAROLINA BLAZE

When/where: 6 p.m. Monday at Dell Diamond.

TV: ESPN2.

Reese Atwood is off to a hot AUSL start

But for now, Atwood is already one of the fiercest bats the Blaze have. She leads her team with 16 hits, 19 RBIs and seven home runs. Her 1.201 on-base plus slugging percentage is third amongst the dozens of AUSL players with more than 40 at-bats. After knocking a three-run bomb in Game 2 against the Volts, she has the third-most RBIs in the league and is tied for the second-most home runs. 

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In addition the former national player of the year’s dominance on the field, Atwood’s jersey was the third-most popular of AUSL player merchandise, coming into the series. Of the top-10 jersey sales, Atwood is one of five rookies. Plus, since being around the country playing as a professional, she gets to see the impact she makes on a larger scale. 

RELATED: Before the AUSL, NPF gave the blueprint for pro softball

MORE: Texas Volts are struggling this season. How can they get their spark back in the AUSL?

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“Anytime Karlyn (Pickens) or Reese go into the game, no matter where we are, the crowd goes bananas,” Blaze coach Kara Dill said Friday. Pickens was an All-American for Tennessee before her Vols were bested by the Longhorns in one of the highest-viewed WCWS of all-time.

Six days after winning a national championship June 4, Atwood first suited up for the Blaze. Two games later, she hit two home runs against the Volts. Although she said there are lifelong memories in her collegiate championship runs, her focus is winning a title with the Blaze and being a role model for younger players. 

Atwood hoping to push Blaze into playoffs

The Blaze (8-11) are in the midst of a five-game losing streak, including Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the Volts after Friday’s 1-0 series-opening loss, but are still fighting for a playoff spot. Just three of the eight teams in the AUSL make the postseason, with the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds participating in a one-game semifinal before meeting the top seed in a best-of-three series. All games will be played at Davis Diamond on Texas A&M’s campus.

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As of Sunday, the first-place Utah Talons (14-6) have already sewn up a spot in playoffs. The Volts (5-15) have been mathematically eliminated but could play spoiler for the fan favorite from Sandia and the Blaze. With six games left, including Monday’s series finale again Texas, Atwood is hoping Carolina can make up three games in the standings to pass either the third-place Portland Cascade or second-place Chicago Bandits. But each day is about inspiring the next generation of softball stars.

“I just think showing up for the people that are ultimately supporting our games, it’s huge,” she said. “Just to be able to show the young talent out in the stadium how to play with joy, how to play with energy … and just doing things the right way.”