Four summers ago, doctors told Serena Settlemier she probably would never play softball again.

On Wednesday, Settlemier became the first Kansas University softball player to be named Big 12 Conference player of the year.

“I’m a little surprised, but I’m excited,” Settlemier said after receiving the award. “In 2003, I never would have believed it, especially to be named player of the year. I never even made first-team before.”

After a promising freshman season in 2002, Settlemier sat out the ’03 season as a medical red shirt after undergoing surgery to re-knit bones in her right forearm. Surgeons inserted a steel plate that wasn’t removed until 18 months later.

“There were many days when Serena was in tears,” KU coach Tracy Bunge said, “not just from physical pain, but from not knowing if she could ever play again.”

After months of rehab, Settlemier was able to compete during the 2004 season. With the plate still in her arm, she hit 11 home runs, yet her batting average was a paltry .208. She also pitched in eight games and had a bloated 6.07 ERA.

Kansas University's Serena Settlemier winds up for a pitch against Texas. Settlemier - who teamed with Kassie Humphreys to blank the mighty Longhorns, 1-0, last month, on Wednesday was named Big 12 player of the year.

“It was a big-time struggle for her,” Bunge said. “There were times when I thought she would never be able to pitch again, especially when she tried to pitch with the plate in her arm.”

After the plate was removed, Settlemier posted solid numbers as a junior last spring. She hit .281 with nine home runs. In the circle, she compiled a 14-9 record with a 3.16 ERA.

“As a pitcher, I never thought I’d be at my best again,” Settlemier said. “I never thought I would get my speed back. Last year was a huge stepping stone.”

Still, 2005 hardly was foreshadowing her sensational senior season.

Settlemier leads the Big 12 in home runs (21), RBIs (59) and slugging percentage (.815) while batting .331. Among her homers are six grand slams. One more round-tripper and Settlemier will tie the Big 12 record of 22 set by Nebraska shortstop Ali Viola in 1998.

Kansas University's Serena Settlemier takes a cut against Wichita State. Against the Shockers, Settlemier hit one of her six grand slams this season.

On the mound, Settlemier has posted a 16-6 record with a 1.21 ERA. Only Texas left-hander Cat Osterman, who was named Big 12 pitcher of the year for the fourth straight time, has a lower ERA.

“I’m just really happy for Serena,” Bunge said. “It’s an honor for her and for her teammates. I’m sure it made all the pain and ups and downs worth it.”

Settlemier earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as a utility player. The only other KU player to earn All-Big 12 was Kassie Humphreys, the Jayhawks’ other pitcher. Humphreys is 14-16 with a 1.31 ERA, third lowest in the league. She also ranks third in strikeouts with 217.

Also Wednesday, senior shortstop Destiny Frankenstein was the lone KU player tapped for the league’s all-academic team.