Maya Brady on her UCLA career: 'Truly it's been a dream'

Maya Brady was in her fifth and final season of college softball, hoping to bring a national championship back to UCLA. The Bruins made it to Oklahoma City but played in just three games before being bounced from the Women’s College World Series. Not the ending Brady wanted for her incredible career.

Following the game, she was asked what playing college softball for UCLA meant to her. Brady claimed the Bruins were always going to be her pick coming out of high school and despite high expectations, they were surpassed. Being with the program seemingly meant more to her than anything.

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“Yeah, it’s been — I don’t even know. Just a dream. I mean, this was my dream,” Brady said. “I feel like as a little girl you always look at the program, the coaching staff, the players. You think that they’re untouchable. Just to get the opportunity to wear this jersey, get my degree, be close to my family. My family at every game has just been perfect. I knew that’s why I was coming to UCLA anyway. But it surpassed my expectations.

Brady was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year for the second time in a row. While the numbers were not as great in 2024, the star still hit .418 with 17 home runs, 68 RBIs, and posted an OPS of 1.306. Undoubtedly one of the best players in the country over the past couple of seasons.

One thing does not appear on Brady’s resume — a national championship. UCLA made the WCWS in three of the four years they could with Brady on the roster but did not find themselves as the last team standing. Making it into the final series was not even accomplished.

Brady is still optimistic about her work off the field, being proud to be a two-time UCLA alum.

“We never got to win, but trust me, I’m winning in life. You graduate from UCLA, got my master’s, and I feel like just so blessed. I can’t even put it into words. Truly it’s been a dream, so yeah.”

Brady is not yet done competing, hoping to still play softball down the road. She wants to play for the United States in the 2028 Summer Olympics, set to be held in Los Angeles.

Her time and dream at UCLA might be over but there are still plenty of goals to accomplish down the road.