TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona softball senior catcher Dejah Mulipola has been named to the 2020 U.S. Olympic Softball Team, as announced on Sunday by USA Softball and head coach Ken Eriksen.
Mulipola was one of 15 players nationally to be selected to the final roster following a four-day selection camp in Oklahoma City. Mulipola, who competed for the U.S. Women’s National Team during the summer of 2018, is one of two catchers on the roster.
“We are so proud that Dejah will represent the USA in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo as a member of our softball team,” said UA head coach Mike Candrea, who served as the head coach for USA Softball from 2001-2008, leading Team USA to a gold medal in 2004 and a silver medal in 2008, the last Olympic games to include softball prior to 2020. “It could not have happened to a more deserving young lady. Dejah is hard working, humble and a great teammate, along with being a five-tool player. I’m so excited for Dejah and her family. We will dearly miss her this year at Hillenbrand, but we are so excited that one of her dreams as a child has come true. Go USA!”
Mulipola is one of three current NCAA players on the roster.
The Garden Grove, California, native was named the NFCA and Johnny Bench Catcher of the Year last season when she finished fourth in the NCAA with a career-most 23 home runs. Muipola, a three-year starter at catcher for the Wildcats, has started 179 of Arizona’s 182 games at catcher in her career. The 2019 first-team All-American has hit .320 in her Arizona career with 47 home runs, 18th most in Arizona history, and 140 RBI.
Multipola becomes Arizona’s 10th Olympian in school history, and joins alumnae Taylor McQuillin and Danielle O’Toole for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. McQuillin and O’Toole will compete with Team Mexico.
Softball is returning to the Olympic Games after it was last contested in 2008. The Tokyo Games kick off July 24, 2020 and will conclude August 9, 2020. Softball competition is slated to run July 22-28, and will be held at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium and Yokohama Baseball Stadium.
ARIZONA SOFTBALL OLYMPIANS
Name Year(s) Country
Mike Candrea (Head Coach) 2004, 2008 United States
Jennie Finch 2004, 2008 United States
Nicole Giordano (Alternate) 2004 United States
Alicia Hollowell (Alternate) 2008 United States
Lovie Jung 2004 United States
Caitlin Lowe 2008 United States
Taylor McQuillin 2020 Mexico
Dejah Mulipola 2020 United States
Leah O’Brien 1996, 2000, 2004 United States
Danielle O’Toole 2020 Mexico
Courtesy of Arizona Communication Services
