OAK CREEK, Wis. — Milwaukee Area Technical College softball is building steadily toward its next step. Fifth‑year head coach Joe Kuntner has unveiled a seven‑player 2026 recruiting class — six freshman signees and one transfer commitment — as the Stormers look to build off a 24-32 overall campaign that featured three straight elimination‑game wins and a return to the NJCAA Region 4 Quarterfinal Tournament championship matchup.

The six signees give the class a strong Midwest feel, with three recruits hailing from Illinois and three homegrown standouts from Wisconsin. Kuntner and his staff believe the group's athleticism, competitiveness, and versatility will raise the bar inside the program from day one.

"We are thrilled with the class that we are bringing in," Kuntner said. "This 2026 class is very athletic and has a ton of talent. We will continue to build our program and look to build of our sucess from the 2025-26 spring season."

Joining the six signees is transfer commitment Ava Bushberger, a Whitnall High School (2023) graduate who stepped away from softball after a significant senior‑year injury. She attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas (2023-25) as a student before transferring home to UW–Milwaukee (2025-26), where she continued her studies and served as an assistant softball coach at Waukesha West High School. After returning home, Bushberger realized how much she missed the sport and contacted Kuntner about playing again. She now joins MATC this fall, returning to competitive softball for the first time since high school.

Below are the full bios for all seven additions to the 2026 class.

Name: Audrey Nelson
Height: 5'6
Position: SS/OF
Hometown: Green Bay, Wis. High School: Green Bay Southwest
High School (Green Bay, Wis.)
Accolades/Awards: All-Fox River Classic Conference honorable mention (2025); team captain; led team in stolen bases as a junior
Coach Kuntner comments: "We are excited to have Audrey join our team. Audrey has made the successful transition from baseball to softball. She is an infielder who also has the speed to play in the outfield and will be an asset for us on the bases."



Name: Jenna Warren
Height: 5'6
Position: IF/OF
Hometown: Rockton, Ill.
High School: Berean Baptist Christian High School (Rockford, Ill.)
Accolades/Awards: N/A
Coach Kuntner comments: "We are excited to have Jenna join the Stormer softball program. Jenna brings the intensity to lead the team with a strong presence at the plate and play multiple positions. Jenna comes from the Aftershock program, which also brought current Stormers Jayden Moss and Jordan Hanserd to our program."



Name: Amiyah Wyrick
Height: 5'5
Position: OF
Hometown: Rockford, Ill.
High School: Guilford High School (Rockford, Ill.)
Accolades/Awards: ICA Class 4A third team all-state (2025); All-Northern Illinois Conference first team (2025, 2024); All-Northern Illinois Conference honorable mention (2023)
Coach Kuntner comments: "We are excited to have Amiyah join our Stormer softball program. Amiyah is a ball hawk in center field. She comes from the Stateline Fury softball program. Amiyah has a solid bat with a high exit velocity, which allows her to be feared when she is on the basepaths. Amiyah is from the same high school as current Stormer Jordan Hanserd."



Name: Rylie Adams
Height: 5'8
Position: P/1B
Hometown: Loves Park, Ill.
High School: Harlem High School (Machesney Park, Ill.)
Accolades/Awards: ICA Class 4A third team all-state (2025); All-Northern Illinois Conference first team (2025)
Coach Kuntner comments: "We are excited to have Rylie join our Stormer softball program. Rylie is a pitcher who keeps hitters off balance with her spin and change of speed but also has the velocity to throw it by hitters. We expect Rylie to be a major contributor off the mound and at the plate."



Name: Dakota Rivera
Height: 5'7
Position: C/OF
Hometown: Kenosha, Wis.
High School: Burlington High School (Burlington, Wis.)
Accolades/Awards: ICA Class 4A third team all-state (2025); All-Northern Illinois Conference first team (2025)
Coach Kuntner comments: "We are excited to have Dakota join the Stormer softball program. Dakota is a technician behind the plate with the ability to hold runners and throw them out and is always looking to improve. Dakota has been contacting us since her sophomore year, which shows persistence pays off. Most importantly, she is a high-level student who has the dream to be a firefighter. Dakota plays softball for Burlington High School and the Kenosha Pumas softball program."



Name: Savannah Meyer
Height: 5'7
Position: 1B
Hometown: Cedarburg, Wis.
High School: West Bend East High School (West Bend, Wis.)
Accolades/Awards: All-North Shore Conference second team (2025); West Bend East softball offensive MVP (2025)
Coach Kuntner comments: "We are excited for Savannah to join our 2026 recruiting class. Savannah provides a powerful bat that we need from the left side."



Name: Ava Bushberger
Height: 5'11
Position: 2B
Hometown: Greenfield, Wis.
High School: Whitnall High School (2023 graduate; Greenfield, Wis.)
Accolades/Awards: All-Woodland Conference honorable mention (2023); All-Woodland Conference second team (2021); Waukesha West High School assistant head softball coach (2026) 
Coach Kuntner comments: "We are thrilled to have Ava join our 2026 recruiting class. I reached out to her in 2023, and she suffered a horrific injury her senior year, and life took her in a different direction. She's a great example to never give up on your dream."