FULTON, Mo.— The 2014 William Woods Hall of Fame Class that includes the 2002 men's volleyball team, Ashley Windmiller (softball), Patricia Wilderman-Miller (women's basketball), and Erin Jewell-Zamora (women's soccer) will be inducted this Saturday Jan. 25^th at 9:00 a.m.

Last year, William Woods inducted three members into the school's inaugural Hall of Fame Class that included Helen Stephens, former athletic director and winningest coach in WWU history Roger Ternes and all-time leading scorer for women's basketball Lana Unnewehr-Brooks.

The candidates for the William Woods Hall of Fame must have demonstrated outstanding achievement, exemplary service or brought recognition and prominence to William Woods.

For the next four days, we will be posting an article on wwuowls.com about each inductee and first up today is former softball player Ashley Windmiller.

"When Coach Tracy Gastineau first called to tell me the news of being inducted, I was at a loss for words," said Windmiller. "It is truly an honor and humbling experience to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of such a great university."

Ashley was a four-year standout for the Owls softball team from 2004-2007 and becomes the first softball player inducted into the WWU Hall of Fame. She ranks in the top 10 in 14 different categories, including coming in sixth overall in batting average (.385), third in slugging percentage (.652), seventh in most games played (223) and fourth in games started (219).

Other accolades for her include being a four-time all-conference selection winner, a two-time NAIA All-American first-team honoree (2005, 2007), two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete (2006, 2007), NFCA All-Region first-team (2005), and a three-time NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete.

Windmiller made an impact right away her freshman season, starting every game behind the plate, was named the 2004 American Midwest Conference Freshman of the Year and helped guide the Owls to a 40-18 record.

"The season that really stands out to me was my freshman year," said Windmiller. "I signed, not realizing that soon after, I would be the only catcher that season. I think knowing that before getting there really started my motivation for success. I wanted to prove to myself and my teammates that I was ready and that I could perform at their level," she added.

"Also, I was the beneficiary of having upper classmen take me under their wing and having Coach Gastineau really push me, telling me how much she believed in my abilities and was proud of what I did. Playing for Coach Gastineau was one of the greatest highlights of my life," said Windmiller. She isn't just a coach, but a mentor and a role model and I am honored to call her my friend," she added.

The 2006 season was even better for the team and Windmiller, as the Owls compiled a 47-15 overall record (13-1 AMC), which earned them the regular season AMC title and then went on to be AMC Tournament Champions. The winning continued, as they went on to win the NAIA Region V Tournament and make an NAIA National Tournament appearance.

Individually, Windmiller had a stellar 2006 year, batting .348, totaling 41 RBI, 36 runs scored and had an astounding .980 fielding percentage, which earned her AMC Player of the Year honors.

That, however, wasn't her best year, as in her senior season, the team went 34-14 and she batted .445, had 69 hits, 50 runs scored, 13 home runs, 54 RBI and a .787 slugging percentage, which added up to her being named the 2007 NAIA Region V Player of the Year.

Ashley was one of the top offensive and defensive catchers in the conference and NAIA, as she still currently ranks first in the WWU record books in most runners picked-off (22), most caught stealing (35), home runs (43), runs batted in (198) and total bases (447).

Even with all the success she and the team had at William Woods, she still has fond memories of the time she spent with her teammates off the field. "The free time we used to make lasting memories and to this day I still remember the moments we shared and it brings a smile to my face."