A former Monticello softball star is the Ohio Valley Conference player of the year.

Eastern Illinois' Lizzie Stiverson was named the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, announced by the Conference office on Tuesday morning.

Stiverson led the OVC play with a .470 batting average, 44 hits, and 33 runs scored. The senior finished with five doubles, four home runs, 19 RBI, and three stolen bases. She walked 16 times, opposed to five strikeouts in 118 plate appearances, leading to a league-best .575 on-base percentage. Stiverson slugged .675 and finished the conference slate with a 1.250 OPS. The transfer was also named to the All-OVC first team, as well as the All-Newcomer squad.

Stiverson started her career at Parkland Community College before transferring to the University of Illinois. She then transferred to Eastern Illinois for the 2026 softball season. 

Stiverson helped Eastern Illinois softball to a 2026 Ohio Valley Conference title with a 23-3 mark. The Panthers finished 33-20 overall. 

The Ohio Valley Conference tournament comes to Peoria's Louisville Slugger Complex this week, Wednesday through Saturday.