On New Year’s Eve day of 2024, Line Drive published an article titled Club Team Spotlight: Carolina Elite Merger Solidifies Organization as One of the Best on the East Coast (Dec. 31, 2024).

So how did that merger work out, we wondered? How did 2025 play out for the Carolina Elite newly formed organization and what can be expected looking forward this year?

It’s been just over a year now since the Carolina Elite organizations based in North Carolina (Dave Maddaluna) and South Carolina (Tony Genovese) consolidated what was two separate pathways into one unified vision.

Maddaluna, who serves as Director of the Carolina Elite Organization, is super excited about the progress made in Year 1, but knows there is still much to be done.

“Heading into 2026, after our first full year together as a unified and combined organization, we are proud of both our combined history and the future opportunities ahead,” the program head says.

That history includes helping over 600 student-athletes realize their dreams to play at the next level since its founding in 2008—more than any other Carolina-based softball organization.

“We really are proud of our track record over time,” Genovese adds.

“We feel that our success in building trust with college coaches and long-term relationships that matter, along with our focus on developing our players to be able to compete at the college level, has differentiated us from others.”

The Carolina Elite, which includes two Bandit Elite Premier teams, is a partnership formed with Maddaluna and Gary Simpson of the NC Bandits that has been successful in placing players at every competitive level—from Power 4, Division I mid majors, Division II, III and JUCO/NAIA.

Here’s a breakdown of the team’s successes:

• Division I: 330 student-athletes
• Division II: 185
• Division III: 58
• JUCO/NAIA/other: 37
• TOTAL: 610

Although more than one of every two commitments from the Carolina Elite has been Division I, the teams pride themselves in helping their student athletes find the best fit for them, regardless of level.

Any opportunity to play at the collegiate level is a special opportunity that very few softball players achieve.

“With recruiting being unquestionably harder due to the transfer portal, and other factors,” says Maddaluna, “’proven relationships will help win the day.’”

Some early successes in the Class of 2027, with 24 overall commits including 15 Division I verbals, puts Carolina Elite high up the list of organizations across the United States placing players.

A recent search shows that the Carolina Elite org is in the Top 10 of D1 commits since Sept 1, 2025 and, perhaps most impressive, the upcoming grad class (2026’s) sees over 75 Elite players headed to play in college programs after this summer—a record number for any grad year over the Elite’s 17 year history.

Genovese is equally proud about the strong alumni base from the Carolina Elite, of which there are many wonderful success stories.

Karlyn Pickens, who played her travel ball career with Carolina Elite, recently was clocked as the hardest throwing pitcher in NCAA history, not to mention being named the SEC and Softball America’s 2025 Pitcher of the Year.

Many alums are also get drafted into the professional ranks, notably Cori McMillan with the Chicago Bandits following her college career at Virginia Tech.

“Carolina Elite was a defining part of my journey and played a major part in preparing me for the level of softball I would face at Tennessee,” Pickens explains.

“The Elite challenged me to grow every day, surrounded me with elite competition, and set expectations that demanded commitment, toughness, and consistency. Carolina Elite helped shape my work ethic and mindset, laying the foundation for everything I’ve been able to accomplish at the next level.”

“I am also incredibly grateful for my coaches, notably Coach Genovese and Coach Dana Fusetti, for the role they played in my journey. They challenged me, believed in me, and consistently showed what it means to truly invest in a player’s growth. Because of them, and the Carolina Elite, I stepped into Tennessee prepared for both the competition and expectations of the college game.”

McMillan agrees that her beginnings in the club space would prepare her for college and now a pro career.

“Joining the Carolina Elite organization allowed me to be seen by various college coaches and provide me with the opportunity to compete in the P4 level of Division I softball,” she says.

“Training with my coaches with the Elite—Coach Eric Frye and others—gave me valuable skills such as time management, grit and competitiveness that has allowed me to take my abilities deep into the softball world.”

Maddaluna adds that he is excited about how many former Elite players, who have gone on to have great college careers, have returned “home” and are now in the travel ball coaching ranks with the Carolina Elite.

Kristyn White who launched the organization’s first team in Colorado, was a Carolina Elite alum who went on to play at South Carolina and Abbey Cheek, who was recently inducted into the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame, now coaches at the 16U level in the Elite program.  

“Playing for a successful travel ball program like the Carolina Elite taught me the true value of commitment, culture, and hard work—lessons that extended far beyond the field,” Cheek comments:

“The standards, accountability, and relationships built within this organization helped shape me not only as an athlete, but as a person. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to now give back as a coach, invest in the next generation, and help continue the legacy that made this program special.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Maddaluna and Genovese are excited about more ways to grow the Elite brand and bring more resources to the Carolina Elite players and families.

Both agree that 2025 was basically a year where “we just had to get a lot of blocking and tackling done – uniforms, websites, communication forums,” per Maddaluna.

“We added a 10-person Board of Directors comprised of coaches from all age groups, across North and South Carolina, and getting things organized so this organization is sustainable and can thrive over time.”

“We still have some work to do here, though. The Elite added a large number of teams in the younger age groups and in geographies where we did not have a presence, which means good things for the future as these teams and players continue to develop and grow as part of our program.”

The future is bright, all involved with the program agree.

“As we look forward to 2026 and beyond, we are going to recommit our energies to ensure the best players and teams are competing at true national events like PGF, TCS, and Alliance where several of our teams have earned berths,” Maddaluna adds.

“We will use our collective success and proven college relationships to support all our Elite teams and players realize their dreams of becoming student athletes at the next level, whatever level that is.”

“Here’s to hoping that this year, 2026, will be as good to the Carolina Elite program as 2025 was!”

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball