How Devyn Netz overcame obstacles to become an Arizona softball star

When Arizona softball star Devyn Netz witnessed her first Senior Day ceremony as a freshman in 2021, she thought it would be a while before her time was up.

Sometimes life feels like a fastball.

“When I was a freshman or a sophomore, I never thought this day would actually come for me, being a senior and having a Senior Day ceremony,” Netz said, as the 13th-ranked Wildcats close out their home series against 14th-ranked Texas Tech Saturday evening at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium. “I’m like, ‘Ah, that’s a ways away.’ It’s cliché to say, ‘Oh, time flies so fast, so enjoy being in the moment,’ but for me, it really does fly by.

“My time here at Arizona has been unique. It’s my story and it’s something that my family and I really cherish. I’ve worked really hard and overcame a lot of obstacles with my time at Arizona, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Netz, Paige Dimler, Miranda Stoddard and Saya Swain will be the Arizona seniors honored for Senior Day preceding the Arizona-Texas Tech finale on Saturday.

After growing up in Sierra Madre, California, Netz finished her high school career at Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley, where she was close to her brother Dawson Netz, who pitched for the UA baseball team and is now a graduate assistant coach for the Wildcats.

In her five-year journey at Arizona, Netz experienced peaks and valleys. She initially started her Arizona career as a role player before having a prominent role in 2022 and ‘23. A back injury sidelined Netz for her senior season in 2024, but she redshirted to preserve another season. Despite the back injury, Netz became one of the top two-way players in program history as a pitcher and batter.

Earlier this season against BYU, Netz became the 11th player in UA softball history to pitch a perfect game. It’s also believed Netz is the only one to hit a home run in the same game. Netz’s pitching and offensive prowess were on display in Arizona’s 2-1 win over Texas Tech on Thursday, when she pitched five scoreless innings and hit a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the first inning.

Netz joined “Spears & Ali” on ESPN Tucson this week to talk about overcoming adversity at Arizona and the influences of UA head coach Caitlin Lowe and coaching icon Mike Candrea, among other topics. Here’s part of that interview:

You mentioned the obstacles you had to overcome, what were they?

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A: “I think everyone who comes here plays travel ball and was the top player on their team. When you come through as a freshman, you’re playing under — in my case — six to eight All-Americans. I had to sit and watch, but I learned a lot from those seniors. That senior class had Alyssa Denham, Jessie Harper, Dejah Mulipola, Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza, I could name all of them. Those are the people I learned from. I also went through a few injuries, but I basically had to sit out and watch my freshman year, then I grew into that starting role later on in my years here.

“I cherished my freshman year because my junior and senior year made me appreciate watching. That’s something I wouldn’t trade for the world and that’s something people take for granted, being able to observe and take a mental note of what the older girls went through, especially the older All-Americans. I really learned from the best of the best at the time. I took little pieces and added it to my game. That’s something I really enjoyed. ... It’s been a different journey for me, but I loved it.”

What do you remember about your first-ever experience at an Arizona softball home game?

A: “I came to an Arizona softball game when Rita (Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium) was rebuilt (in 2019). We called it, ‘Rita got a facelift.’ It was awesome because it was my recruiting visit. I came to Tucson like, ‘Eh, I don’t know what’s here in Tucson.’ ... I grew more fond of it when I stepped on campus because the coaching staff was just like my coaches in travel ball. The way they practiced was the way I practiced. When I stepped on campus, I realized, ‘I see it and I get it.’ I felt that home feeling when I stepped on campus, with the coaches, how they played the game and just the culture of Arizona. ... I haven’t looked back since. Coming in with an open mind really helped me.”

Were you recruited by former head coach Mike Candrea?

A: “Yes, him and Caitlin Lowe. Caitlin Lowe came to a lot of my games growing up. When I was on her radar, Coach (Candrea) came and watched me, as well. When I went to the camps, they both came to my games before I became a Wildcat.”

Did you establish a relationship with Lowe before Candrea?

A: “It was equal between the both of them, but I got to know them really well when I stepped on campus. I’m one of the last seniors to play for Coach (Candrea) and Coach always makes fun of me and says, ‘Ugh, I’ve got one more Senior Day to come to.’ That’s just our banter, but he’s super cool and I don’t know where I’d be without him, because he’s been such a great influence.

“He wasn’t my head coach in my career here, but he’s always been behind the scenes and has always told me tips here and there throughout my career here. I cherish those tips, because he sees it from a different perspective and was in Coach Cait’s shoes. ... When Cait took over, I really connected with her when I came into the program. Both have been really influential and have helped me grow into the player I am today.”