University of North Dakota Women's Softball

Jordan Stevens completed his 11th year as the head coach of the University of North Dakota softball program in 2025. Former UND Athletics Director Brian Faison announced that the former Valparaiso head coach was named head coach at UND on July 7, 2014. Steven's owns a 190-372 record during his 11 years at UND, coming off a 26 win season in 2025. The 26 wins tied the most wins under Stevens, as the team hit for a .254 batting average last season, the highest average since 2014.  UND’s success on the diamond has continued to grow under Stevens’ tutelage, as his teams have tallied three 20-win seasons. 2020 looked to potentially be a special year for the Fighting Hawks, but saw their year come to an abrupt end at just 24 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team was looking to become the first in program history to rattle off four consecutive 20-win seasons. During the shortened season, UND picked up the first win over a Mountain West Conference school in program history with a wild, 8-5 win over Boise State. The Hawks also battled a pair of ranked opponents on the same weekend for only the second time in school history down in Louisiana. Finally, senior pitcher Nikki Pica became the first player in UND's Division I history to have both a complete-game shutout and a multi-home run game in the same season. Off the field, the Fighting Hawks ranked fifth in all of Division I for community service hours by a softball program while also reaching the 3.0 GPA plateau once again as a team during the previous two semesters.  In 2019, UND entered The Summit League for the first time in program history, and left its mark on the league in a big way. The Fighting Hawks rattled off 22 victories, to become only the second team in program history to enjoy three consecutive 20-win seasons (2000-2002) and advanced to the Summit League Tournament with seven league victories despite being selected to finish sixth in the preseason poll. The Hawks saw two players named to the All-Summit League Second Team in Jailene Carpio and Kalyeen Schneider. Taking on a ranked opponent for the third straight season, UND's victory over then-No. 25 Long Beach State (Feb. 8) was the first over a ranked foe in the Division I era of Fighting Hawk softball (2008-present). The Hawks then went on to nip Michigan State twice at the GCU Purple Classic in Phoenix to mark the first back-to-back victories over a major program in school history.  In 2018, the Fighting Hawks set a program record for wins for the second straight year (26) and conference victories (9) as UND advanced to the Big Sky Conference Tournament for the second consecutive season. The squad was once again led by Kaylin VanDomelen, who was named to the conference's first team for the third straight year. Joining the ace with postseason accolades were Angel Love, Marina Marzolino, and Taylor Nadler as the trio were named honorable mentions by the Big Sky. In 2017, UND ripped off a program record for wins (23) on the way to the school's first-ever Big Sky Conference Tournament berth. The team was led by Big Sky Pitcher of the Year Kaylin VanDomelen, who became a two-time member of the all-league first team. UND charted a new program mark for Big Sky wins as well. The 2016 season also marked a milestone for UND softball, as the team picked up its first-ever All-Big Sky First Team honoree, in pitcher Kaylin VanDomelen. Additionally, in 2016 UND earned its first ever wins against opponents from the Big 12 (Iowa State, Feb. 14) and the ACC (Virginia, Feb. 20). In his first season, North Dakota recorded twice as many wins from the previous season. The 2015 squad also set a program record, hitting 73 doubles on the year. The team also hit 47 home runs, which ranked second all-time in program history. Stevens spent the previous four seasons as head coach at Valparaiso, where he guided the Crusaders to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances in 2012 and 2013. In his four years at the helm, Stevens posted a 134-102-1 record, as his teams never finished lower than third in either the regular season or conference tournament. During his tenure at Valparaiso, Stevens coached 25 student-athletes to all-league honors, including eight first-team accolades and four all-region honors. Additionally, he recruited the 2012 Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, the 2013 Championship Batter and Pitcher of the Horizon League Tournament, and the 2014 Horizon League Co-Player of the Year. In his first season with Valpo, Stevens guided the Crusaders to 34 victories, including a 13-game winning streak. In Horizon League play his team went 15-7, finishing just one-half game shy of the regular-season championship. The Crusaders' 2011 success was in large part due to their record-setting offensive output. Valpo paced the league in nine separate offensive categories, setting team single-season records for runs batted in (245) and home runs (49). Individually, Stevens coached seven league leaders, while two Crusaders broke Valpo's single-season RBIs record and three topped the previous single-season home runs mark. Seven players in all earned all-league recognition, as well as one all-region honoree. The 2012 Crusaders re-wrote the program's record books, setting 14 new team single-season records and 14 new individual records. Stevens led Valpo to 42 victories that season, setting a program single-season record, and claimed the school's first women's Horizon League championship after going 19-5 in league play. The squad had five players earn postseason honors from the Horizon League, including the league's Newcomer of the Year and four first team all-league honorees. Three players also earned NFCA all-region honors as well. Stevens then led the Crusaders on a dramatic run to the 2012 Horizon League Tournament Championship. After falling in the first game of the tournament, Valpo won five consecutive knockout games, the last three of which came in walk-off fashion, to claim the Horizon League Championship and the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. In the NCAA Tournament, Stevens led Valpo to within one out of a massive upset at No. 9/7 Louisville in the tournament opener before a walk-off homer, while the Crusaders also had the tying run on base in the seventh inning of their elimination game against Kentucky. For the second consecutive year, the Crusaders went on a run to the Horizon League Championship, winning five-straight elimination games after losing their opener to claim the tournament crown. Having earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for a second-straight season, Stevens led the Crusaders one step farther in 2013, as Valpo downed Central Michigan for its first NCAA tournament win in program history. Valpo won 29 games in the regular season, including a third-place finish within Horizon League play. Prior to his time at Valparaiso, Stevens was the head coach at Union College, leading the Dutchwomen to their most successful season in program history. He led Union to a school-record-tying 32 victories en route to the team's first Liberty League regular-season title in five years and the program's first-ever league tournament championship. Before becoming a head coach, Stevens spent a season as assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island in 2009, where he was directly responsible for the development and coaching of the pitching staff. He also served two seasons as an assistant coach at Niagara University, where he was responsible for the development and individual instruction in hitting. From 2004 to 2006, Stevens was the head varsity softball coach at Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, Ohio. Stevens graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2004 with his bachelor's degree in sport management.

North Dakota Softball Head Coach Jordan Stevens announced the hiring of former Fighting Hawk standout Madison Pederson as the program's newest assistant coach in September of 2024. “Maddie will continue to a be a great asset to UND softball in this new role,” remarked Stevens. “Her experience and knowledge of the program will be a valuable resource for all current and future Fighting Hawks. I look forward to seeing her grow in this position and her helping us reach our goals on the field.” NoDak softball fans need no introduction when it comes to Pederson. The Ham Lake, Minnesota native spent five seasons in the green and white appearing in 165 games with 157 starts. Despite a fifth season that ended early due to injury, Pederson eclipsed 100 career hits of which 43 went for extra bases including 30 doubles and 13 home runs. She was responsible for 76 RBI and 29 runs scored. “I want to thank Jordan Stevens and the entire UND Athletic Department for giving me this opportunity,” noted Pederson. “I am excited to start my collegiate coaching career at the University of North Dakota after playing here for five years. I have loved this University since the day I stepped on campus, and I cannot wait to contribute to the team in a different role.” While playing, Pederson coached Midwest Speed Club Softball in Minneapolis, Minnesota and at Red River High School in Grand Forks for three years. Pederson’s impact expanded beyond the field as she served as UND softball’s team representative on the UND Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years. Additionally, she participated in Hawkademy, UND’s student-athlete leadership academy. Over her playing career, Pederson volunteered over 100 hours of community service with local organizations such as Special Olympics, UND SAAC pen pal program, Great Plains Food Bank and others. Earlier this year, Pederson was named a Lillian Elsinga Outstanding Student Leader. The honor “recognizes students who have exhibited exemplary leadership skills through their campus involvement, volunteer service efforts, on-campus employment, or other life experiences.” Pederson is a 2023 cum laude graduate of UND with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology-Physical Education with a coaching minor. She graduated in the spring of 2025 with a Masters of Science in Kinesiology from UND.   

Paper was named new assistant softball coach in September of 2023. Paper has previously served as the Assistant Softball Coach at Buena Vista University and Assistant Coach at Alta-Aurelia High School. She was a member of the BVU Softball team from 2017-21. While at Buena Vista, she oversaw recruitment, organizing study hours and logistics for the team in addition to her on-field coaching responsibilities. As a player, Paper (née Mason) started 23 games and hit .362 during league play which ranked 14th in 2021.  She finished with four doubles and a pair of home runs while scoring nine times.  She showed off her speed by also swiping all 10 stolen base attempts.  She had a hit in 17 of the 23 games, including three hits and a pair of RBI during the series opener at Luther.  Defensively, Mason was among the best defensive centerfielders, making only two errors in nearly 40 total chances all season long while also throwing out three runners. Furthermore in that season she led the team in batting average (.389) and conference batting average (.362). She also won Female Newcomer of the Year Buena Vista University in 2016-17, set school records for most stolen bases (71) in a career and tied a school record in stolen base percentage in a single season, stealing 100% of bases in 2021 (15-15). Paper is originally from Omaha, Nebraska and was a member of the Softball team at Buena Vista for five seasons, and also ran track for two seasons. She resides in Grand Forks with her husband Noah.

Cassandra Castaneda joined the Fighting Hawks as the Director of Softball Operations in 2024. Prior to joining the staff, Castaneda played five years at North Dakota as the catcher from 2019-2024. During her five years she earned a First Team All-Summit League and Honorable Mention nod. Castaneda was named the 2023 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year.  She's assisted in the UND Softball Coaches as an instructional softball camp coach for the fall and spring camps, by helping provide a positive experience for the campers.  In the summer of 2024, Castaneda was a softball coach for the Fargo-Moorhead fastpitch. She co-led a team of young team athletes, while organizing and developing practice plans.  The Tucson, Arizona native received her bachelors and masters degree in Kinesiology.

Nicole Letofsky serves as the Associate AD of Marketing and Communications as well as the Spirit Squad Advisor. She has worked at North Dakota since Feb. 2019, serving as the primary marketing contact for nearly every varsity sport at UND during her time.  Prior to North Dakota from 2015-2019, Nicole was the Assistant Director of Marketing and Fan Experience at the University of Northern Colorado. In her time there she worked with nearly every spot in game presentation whether assisting from the field/court, running music or calling the game. Nicole was also heavily involved in the mascot program, community events/engagement, email marketing and the implementation of Klawz Cub Club. From 2013-2015 Nicole was a Marketing Assistant at the University of Minnesota Duluth where she worked closely on marketing events to students, game presentation, kids club and the mascot program. In addition, Nicole gained valuable experience as an intern with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx over Summer of 2013 as an Event Marketing Assistant and the Minnesota Wild from Aug. 2012-May 2013 as the Brand Marketing and Game Presentation Intern.    She earned her bachelor's degree from Iowa State in 2012 before completing her master's in 2018 at Northern Colorado. Nicole resides in Grand Forks with her husband Logen, two kids Axel and Lakelee and their two dogs.