Malawni Snyder is a talented 2027 grad who lives in Phoenix, Ariz. and attends Sandra Day O’Connor High where she is not just an accomplished athlete, but also an outstanding student.

The junior carries a weighted 4.58 GPA and is ranked in the Top 10 percent of her class’s 679 students academically.

A member of the Arizona Storm 18U team coached by Jaff Decker, the right-handed hitter with 2.86 home-to-first committed to the University of California – Riverside on January 26.

Malawni shares with Line Drive what she did to improve her skills and promote herself that worked in getting her noticed and recruited by the Highlanders in the Big West Conference… and how younger players can do it too!

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Being Proactive in Getting Better… & Getting Noticed

My softball journey began at age 11 when I joined the North Phoenix, Arizona Girls Softball league. Even though my journey started later than many of my peers, I quickly developed a passion for softball and set my sights on playing at the next level.

I joined the AZ One Hundreds, a local club team where Coach Jaff Decker’s guidance and my competitive drive helped me make significant progress. Following Coach Decker to organizations like Rogue FC and later AZ Storm marked important milestones in my growth and exposure as a player.

I trained with Athlon Movement and Performance to boost my strength and agility and to advance my softball fundamentals. These focused sessions improved my discipline and commitment to staying at peak performance.

Recognizing how crucial visibility is for advancing in softball, I made it a priority to consistently share my experiences and accomplishments online.

I regularly used social media and recruiting platforms like SportsRecruits, Fieldlevel, X, Instagram, and YouTube to showcase my athletic growth. Keeping my profiles updated gave coaches and recruiters a clear picture of my skills and helped create more opportunities in softball.

Competing in tournaments and attending college camps across the nation gave me exposure to different styles of play and helped me identify where I wanted to study and compete.

Over time, my travels led me to back to the Southwest, shaping my outreach efforts in that region. I was diligent in sending emails, keeping my social media updated, and engaging with schools I was interested in.

A pivotal moment in my recruitment journey was when Javier Zuluaga from AZ in the Circle noticed my activity online and reached out to learn more about my recruitment journey.

His encouragement and connections with trusted coaches aided in my credibility to the ones I was engaging with. In addition, attending college clinics with eagerness to learn and develop helped build my credibility and expand my network.

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Developing as a Player: Consistency and Effort

For those looking to improve but unsure where to start, my advice is simple: just keep working.

How you choose to practice is up to you, but staying consistent is the key to growth. My coach used to remind me,

“Yes, you can take the day off, just know that every day you aren’t working at getting better, another girl is.”

In the end, it comes down to who wants it most and is willing to give 100 percent effort.

That doesn’t mean taking a day or two off will hold you back—rest is important, and sometimes things happen that are out of your control.

What’s helped me is focusing on the basics every day, whether it’s hitting off the tee, doing fielding drills, working on glovework, or running. Consistent and intentional practice will help you achieve any goal you set for yourself.

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Committing to UCR: My Journey

I committed to UCR after my unofficial visit. During my time on campus, I immediately felt a strong connection with the coaching staff, especially Coach Brittany Matta.

From my very first conversation with Coach Matta in December, even before I stepped foot on campus, I could sense her goals as a coach aligned with mine as an athlete. The way she spoke about her team, her vision for success, and the dedication she expects resonated with me.

As someone who always strives to work hard and improve, I saw those same qualities reflected in Coach Matta. Her ambitious goals for the future of the UCR softball program align perfectly with my own aspirations, and I’m honored to be part of that vision.

The team also welcomed me warmly throughout my visit, and I quickly bonded with the girls, which only confirmed my decision to commit.

The conclusion of my campus visit brought a sense of relief.

From the moment I arrived, the welcoming atmosphere made it clear that I would be supported throughout my journey. This reassurance gave me more confidence that I can contribute meaningfully to the program.

Although reaching this milestone is rewarding, I understand that it marks only the beginning of my journey. I remain committed to ongoing development and look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

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Advice for Younger Players

If I could offer advice to younger players, it would be to remember that you are still young.

The recruiting process can often feel overwhelming and stressful, but it’s important to recognize that every step along the way truly matters. Even when the process gets tough, try to keep things in perspective and realize that growth takes time.

One mindset that has helped me and that I believe can benefit everyone is to “have no regrets.”

This means giving your best effort from the very beginning, whether you are at practice, college camp or in a game. Don’t let yourself look back and wish you had worked harder or hustled more.

Instead, approach each opportunity with full commitment, so that when it’s all said and done, you can be confident knowing you gave everything you had.

This applies to mistakes, too—don’t regret striking out. Instead, learn from those moments and move forward. Staying positive, even when things get tough, helps keep the pressure in perspective and allows you to play more freely.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that everyone’s timeline is different. Some players commit on September 1^st, while others wait until the end of their senior year.

Your path is unique to you!

— Malawni Snyder/Line Drive Softball contributor

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Malawni’s Accomplishments & History

• Earned First Team All-Academic- AZ Sports360 honors for two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025 – Sandra Day O’Connor High School
• Named MVP at the Scenic City All Star Games, Chattanooga, TN – Arizona Storm Decker

2025-2026 Performance Statistics

• Exit Velocity (tee): 73 mph
• 20-yard dash time: 2.8 seconds
• Vertical jump: 24 inches
• Broad jump: 91 inches
• GPA: 4.56
• 5’8” -145lbs

Fall Ball Season Highlights

• Played in 30 games during the fall ball season-. Traveled nationally to Las Vegas-USA Preps, Conroe, TX-Hotshots Invitational, Chattanooga, TN-Scenic City, and Local AZ PGF national qualifiers and earned a berth to PGF Nationals.
• Achieved a season batting average of .500
• Recorded an OPS of 1.320
• Collected 35 hits over the course of the season.
• Drove in 31 runs (RBI).
• Stole 9 bases.