Three Greenwood Softball Seniors signed to further their college careers. Henderson State University got to double dip into the Sebastian County school netting Daisy Parker and Layken Dawson. Lyon College in Batesville picked up Alyssa Lovell.
“Three out of four signed to go play the next level. Just shows the amount of investment they put in their craft and how they work.” Lady Bulldogs Head Coach Donald Hart Said following the signing. “From an education standpoint, you know, they’re all getting an opportunity to get an education and play the game they love. So I think things are really awesome.”
Lakyn Dawson
The Greenwood Senior was a two-year starter for the Lady Bulldogs softball team with a .974 fielding percentage coupled with 148 put outs at first base. Alongside her time with the Greenwood Bulldogs, Dawson played four years with the Athletics National Team out of Northwest Arkansas. Lakyn’s brother Treyton Dawson, signed with the Henderson State Reddies for football in 2020.
“I was familiar with Henderson; I had been there a couple times because of him. [Treyton]” Dawson said on what drew her to Henderson State. “Then my parents’ kind of brought it up, and then Henderson actually reached out. I was like that would be cool if I got to follow in my brother’s footsteps.”
“He [Head Coach Joel Worthington] actually recruited me to be a first base for the Class of ’26, because their first baseman was graduating.” Lakyn Dawson said. “And he wanted it to be me. So, I thought that was pretty cool for him to say that, and I was excited for about.”
“I want to make sure that we do go a little bit further and stay.” Dawson said regarding the upcoming season. The Lady Bulldogs have finished with a Conference Championship the last two seasons but have found themselves with an early exit during the State Tournament. “It’s really important to me this year, so we finish up strong.”
Daisy Parker
The other half of the Henderson State double-dip is Senior Daisy Parker. The future Ultrasound Tech plans to study Health Science or Pre-Med alongside her playing duties for the Reddies Softball team. A member of the same travel team with Lakyn Dawson, the Athletics National Team, Parker has played softball for fourteen years. In 2022, Daisy Parker was the Newcomer of the Year. For the 2024 season she garnered All-Conference and the Offensive MVP Award. Last Season she repeated the All-Conference honor and added All-State and All-Tournament Team. Going into the 2026 season, Parker is hitting .331 from the plate.
“The programs really great there. It felt like home and the culture there is great. But, yeah, I love it there.” Daisy Parker said of Henderson State.
“It’s great! I’m really really excited. It’s room with her, you know, another four years with her.” Parker talked about playing alongside longtime teammate Lakyn Dawson. “It’s awesome. Just having her by my side.”
“I obviously want to go out with a bang. Make some noise. I think this group is really talented. So, I’m super excited to se what we hold.” Parker said about the upcoming season. “Obviously would love another conference championship. But ultimately, we want to make it deep in the playoffs.”
Alyssa Lovell
Lyon College broke the Henderson State stranglehold with their selection of Greenwood Senior Alyssa Lovell. A two-year starter at pitcher for the Lady Bulldogs, she earned a 9-2 record, pitching 75 innings with a 2.2 ERA. Lovell is carrying a 4.2 GPA with a 32 on the ACT that will translate into studying Pre-Medicine/Chemistry at the Batesville, AR school. Lovell is a two-sport athlete playing for the Lady Bulldog Volleyball team in the fall. She is a member of the Legends National 2026 team out of Northwest Arkansas.
“I went on my first tour, I got invited by a coach at the Senior Showcase. I happened to get a tour guide that’s in the same major that I was in.” Lovell said about going to Lyon College. “She was just telling me about all the opportunities I would have there, and I ended up really liking the campus and really liking the coaches. It just felt perfect.”
“I don’t feel that as much as I did last year, like stepping up for the first time. But I think it’s just cool that we have the opportunity to go as far.” Alyssa Lovell said about the upcoming season. “We’ve got a lot of underclassmen now, that I think are going to step up. So, it’s cool to see what we’ll do.”
