Ball State University Athletics
Staff Directory
Ava Tepe
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant
- Email:
Fresh off a strong collegiate playing career at Middle Tennessee (2022-25), Ava Tepe enters her first season as a graduate assistant coach for the Ball State softball program in 2026.
A four-year starter for the Blue Raiders, Tepe played for then-MTSU associate head coach Helen Peña during the team’s magical run in the 2023 season. A starter in 51 games at catcher that season, Tepe helped guide MTSU to a program record 42 wins, the program’s second-ever Conference USA tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final.
Middle Tennessee earned three wins in regional play, including knocking off host and fifth-seeded Alabama to force a decisive seventh game. While the Crimson Tide won the final contest by a score of 1-0 and eventually advanced to the Women’s College World Series, the Blue Raiders’ three regional wins were the most by a Conference USA team since 2014.
Overall, Tepe finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in times hit by a pitch (40). She compiled a .219 career batting average with 12 total home runs, six each in her junior and senior seasons. One of those home runs, a two-run blast to center field, came in MTSU’s 4-3 victory over the Pena-led Cardinals on Feb. 28, 2024.
One of three catchers at MTSU her freshman season, Tepe became the everyday catcher for the Blue Raiders a month into the regular season. From there, she would not leave the lineup, starting in 182 of the 188 games she played for the Blue Raiders, including time at catcher and first base. Tepe finished her career with 100 hits, to go along with 71 runs scored and 63 RBIs.
A spring 2025 graduate of Middle Tennessee, Tepe was named to the 2025 CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and was named to the 2024 CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Medal List.
A four-year starter for the Blue Raiders, Tepe played for then-MTSU associate head coach Helen Peña during the team’s magical run in the 2023 season. A starter in 51 games at catcher that season, Tepe helped guide MTSU to a program record 42 wins, the program’s second-ever Conference USA tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final.
Middle Tennessee earned three wins in regional play, including knocking off host and fifth-seeded Alabama to force a decisive seventh game. While the Crimson Tide won the final contest by a score of 1-0 and eventually advanced to the Women’s College World Series, the Blue Raiders’ three regional wins were the most by a Conference USA team since 2014.
Overall, Tepe finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in times hit by a pitch (40). She compiled a .219 career batting average with 12 total home runs, six each in her junior and senior seasons. One of those home runs, a two-run blast to center field, came in MTSU’s 4-3 victory over the Pena-led Cardinals on Feb. 28, 2024.
One of three catchers at MTSU her freshman season, Tepe became the everyday catcher for the Blue Raiders a month into the regular season. From there, she would not leave the lineup, starting in 182 of the 188 games she played for the Blue Raiders, including time at catcher and first base. Tepe finished her career with 100 hits, to go along with 71 runs scored and 63 RBIs.
A spring 2025 graduate of Middle Tennessee, Tepe was named to the 2025 CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and was named to the 2024 CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Medal List.
Men's Basketball // Post Game Press Conference vs Kent State
Sunday, February 15
Ball State Women's Basketball Press Conference
Saturday, February 14
Men's Basketball // Post Game Press Conference vs Buffalo
Thursday, February 12
Football // Feb. 4th Signing Day Breakdown - Mick Tidrow and Chris Radican
Monday, February 09
