As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the program's Division II era. Each week, UIS will feature one team and one player, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.

The 2018 Prairie Stars softball team delivered one of the most historic seasons in UIS history, setting a new standard for the program. UIS finished the year with a 40-19 overall record, captured the GLVC regular-season title with a 22-6 conference mark, and claimed the regional championship with a pair of key victories over Missouri-St. Louis. That season also marked the program's first-ever NFCA national ranking, and the Prairie Stars finished No. 12 in the final poll.

UIS made a deep run in the NCAA postseason, hosting its first-ever Division II Regional and Super-Regional at the UIS Softball Complex. In the Regional, UIS opened with a 9-0 victory over Saginaw Valley State before falling 0-2 in a 13-inning game to Missouri-St. Louis. The Prairie Stars bounced back with an 11-2 win over Saginaw Valley State and then defeated Missouri-St. Louis twice (5-3, 4-1) to claim the regional championship and advance to the Super-Regional. UIS fell to University of Southern Indiana in consecutive games (0-2, 0-3), concluding one of the program's most memorable campaigns. 

The 2018 team featured several standout performers who earned national recognition. Ali Haesele was named D2CCA and NFCA First Team All-Region and became the program's first-ever All-American (D2CCA Honorable Mention). Lakyn Wagoner earned D2CCA first team and NFCA Second Team honors, while Erin Stroup earned D2CCA Second Team recognition.

The team was guided by head coach Shannon Guthrie, with assistant coaches Grace Moll and Kate Malveaux.

A season defined by wins, postseason milestones, and national recognition, the 2018 UIS softball team left an enduring mark on Prairie Stars Athletics and set the foundation for future success at the NCAA Division II level.

After announcing the week four team and individual, UIS Athletics will take a holiday break and resume the 15 Years of Division II anniversary series the week of Monday, January 5.