NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference has selected Coastal Carolina softball pitcher Nicolette Picone and South Alabama women’s tennis player Delien Kleinhans as the league’s nominees for the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year award.
The NCAA Woman of the Year program, established in 1991, honors the academic achievements, athletic excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. Hundreds of athletes are nominated by their schools each year for the prestigious award, with conferences celebrating their top choice for the award. From the nominations, the Top 30 honorees – 10 from each division – are selected, and will be announced this fall. The NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced this fall and celebrated during the NCAA Convention.
Nicolette Picone, Coastal Carolina University, Softball
Picone completed a decorated four-year career as a senior in 2025 after being named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year and Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player while leading the Chanticleers to their first Sun Belt championship in program history. She was also recognized as a 2025 NFCA All-South Region Second Team selection. In the circle, Picone compiled a 29-11 record with a 2.54 ERA and 178 strikeouts across 248 innings of work. Picone finished the season near the top of NCAA Division I in numerous major statistical categories, including No. 2 in complete games (26) and innings pitched; No. 3 in wins (29), games started (37) and pitching appearances (49); and No. 13 in saves (5).
In the classroom, Picone was named a 2025 Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators and registered a 4.0 cumulative grade point average while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in pre-health professions. The Bethpage, N.Y., native was one of just eight recipients of the Sun Belt’s 2025 Postgraduate Scholarship and will attend the State University of New York at Stony Brook to pursue her doctorate degree in occupational therapy with a focus on serving children with special needs.
In the community, Picone was one of 14 student-athletes named to the 2024-25 All-Sun Belt Community Service Team for her exceptional dedication to community service. Picone's inspiration comes from her twin sister whose journey with Down Syndrome motivates her to strive for her best on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. Wanting to better understand her sister's experiences and deepen their bond, she began volunteering at Camp Anchor, a place that has held special meaning for her sister since the age of five, where individuals with special needs can fully be themselves. Over the years, Picone's passion for serving others has continued to grow. While at Coastal Carolina, she found personal fulfillment in volunteering with the Special Olympics, reading to kindergarteners, mentoring elementary school students, and visiting senior care facilities.
Delien Kleinhans, University of South Alabama, Women’s Tennis
Kleinhans, a four-year letterwinner for the Jaguars’ women’s tennis program, completed a strong senior season with a 10-5 overall record in singles, coupled with a 14-5 mark in doubles on the way to earning 2025 All-Sun Belt Second Team selection in doubles. She went on to compete as the No. 1 player for her native country of South Africa at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany.
In the classroom, Kleinhans posted a 4.0 cumulative grade point average and was one of just eight recipients of the Sun Belt’s 2025 Postgraduate Scholarship. She graduated from South Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and has been accepted to multiple schools to pursue her doctorate degree in physical therapy. She was recognized as a 2025 Academic All-District honoree by College Sports Communicators.
Kleinhans established herself as a leader and active member in the South Alabama community by volunteering at local shelters, assisting fellow students during move-in events, supporting the athletic department’s annual toy drives and participating with JagPantry to stock and deliver food during the holidays. Her ambition to serve and inspire others was fostered following injuries sustained in a hit-and-run car accident when she was 16 years old. The experience and journey to recovery has steered her toward pursuing a career in physical therapy while leading across cultures and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.
In addition to the Sun Belt’s final nominees, the following student-athletes were nominated by member institutions:
Kayleigh Reinke, James Madison (Women’s Golf)
Erica Lafayette, Louisiana (Women’s Basketball)
Kylee Mastin, Marshall (Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country)
Trinity Flager, Southern Miss (Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country)
Adaira Yuuko Nakano, Southern Miss (Women’s Soccer)