Hokie Club
BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head softball coach Pete D'Amour on Wednesday announced that seven prospective student-athletes have signed their National Letters of Intent on the first day of the signing period to join the Hokies for the 2019-20 academic year.
"We're really looking forward to welcoming this class to Blacksburg," D'Amour said. "These kids bring unique personalities and skill sets that will help complement the team next year. It was important to me to find players that fit the Hokie softball brand. They're all tough, hardworking and competitive people that happen to be good softball players.
"I'd like to thank Kirin [Kumar], Doug [Gillis] and Whitney [Davis Showalter] for their efforts in the recruiting process and the parents of these student-athletes for placing their faith in us to lead their daughters the next four years. Go Hokies!"
Georgia Blair
5'4" – Shortstop/utility
R/R
Douglasville, Ga.
Alexander High School
Georgia Power Roddy
High School: Four-year letterwinner … Coached by Zach Graham at Alexander High School … Played travel ball for Georgia Power Roddy … All-state … Broke Alexander's school record in home runs … Team captain … Also played basketball … Team captain … All A/B Honor Roll … Scholar Athlete … Board Scholar.
Personal: Georgia Rene' Blair … Born Oct. 28, 2000 … Daughter of Jeffrey and Amber Blair … Sister of Brody and Brice … Planning on majoring in the field of anesthesiology … Hopes to be a anesthesiologist.
Grayson Cruce
5'4" – Utility
L/L
Loganville, Ga.
Loganville High School
Atlanta Premier Gold Stewart
High School: Four-year letterwinner … Coached by Alan Maddox at Loganville High School … Played travel ball for Georgia Impact and Atlanta Premier Gold Stewart … Named GHSA 5A Region Player of the Year … All-state … All-region … Led the Red Devils to the state championship game … Was a part of nine state titles on her travel ball team … Was top five in ASA nationals and ranked sixth nationally.
Personal: Grayson Cruce … Born May 9, 2001 … Daughter of Chad and Jodi Cruce … Sister of Dallas, Madison and Riley … Planning on majoring in biology … Hopes to be a pediatrician.
Kaylee Hewitt
6'2" – Pitcher
R/R
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Riverdale High School
Gametime Stars 18U Gold
High School: Two-year letterwinner … Coached by Christy Bingham at Riverdale High School … Played travel ball for Gametime Stars U18U Gold … All-state … All-District … Best Newcomer of the Year … Player of the Week honors … All-County Team … Was a part of being ranked in the top 10 on FloSoftball with the Gametime Stars 18U Gold squad … Also played volleyball … Under Armour Player of the Year contender … Chose the Hokies over Oregon, Oklahoma State and Pitt.
Personal: Kaylee Rae Hewitt … Born Sept. 7, 2000 … Daughter of Chad and Amanda Hewitt … Sister of Kyle, Kade, Connie Joe, Kodi and Kasen … Mother, Amanda, played basketball at Eastern New Mexico … Planning on majoring in exercise science… Hopes to be a occupational therapist.
Maddie Rountree
5'11" – First Base
R/R
Smithfield, Va.
Isle of Wight Academy
Williamsburg Starz Gold- Bunn
High School: Four-year letterwinner … Coached by Jill Owens Edwards at Isle of Wight Academy … Played travel ball for Williamsburg Starz Gold-Bunn … Four-time all-state … Four-time all-conference … Five-time Offensive Player of the Year … Led the Chargers to the 2018 VISAA DII State Championship, owning a home run in the title game … Had eight home runs, 29 hits and 35 RBIs her junior year… Also played basketball and volleyball l… National Honor Society… Chamber of Commerce Student Leadership… Junior Ruritan of the Year … Chose the Hokies over Clemson and North Carolina.
Personal: Madison Rea Rountree … Born Nov. 29, 2000 … Daughter of Glenn and Renee Rountree … Sister of Taylor and Graham … Her father played football at Clemson and was the first player in school history to play more than 3,000 snaps in a season, while he was also All-ACC first-team in 1997 … Planning on majoring in communications … Hopes to work for the NFL office in New York City.
Ansley Whitley
6'1" – Utility
R/R
Buena Vista, Ga.
Marion Country High School
Firecrackers
High School: Four-year letterwinner … Coached by Jon Dimitri at Marion County High School … Played travel ball for the Firecrackers … First-team all-region four times … All-Bi-City … Led the Eagles to consecutive Elite Eight appearances and regional championships … Also played basketball and track and field … Guided the Eagles to the girls' basketball state championship … First-team all-region four times … All-Bi-City … Was a three-time state champ in the discus event … All-Bi-City … Senior Beta … Honors Academy … Chose the Hokies over Georgia and Kennesaw State.
Personal: Ansley Paige Whitley … Born Aug. 24, 2001 … Daughter of Tony and Jan Whitley … Sister of Chris and Ashley … Planning on majoring in human nutrition, foods and exercise … Hopes to be a physical therapist.
Ashley Whitley
6'1" – Utility
R/R
Buena Vista, Ga.
Marion Country High School
Firecrackers
High School: Four-year letterwinner … Coached by Jon Dimitri at Marion County High School … Played travel ball for the Firecrackers … First-team all-region four times … All-Bi-City … Senior All-Star Team member … Offensive Player of the Year … Led the Eagles to consecutive Elite Eight appearances and regional championships … Also played basketball and track and field … Guided the Eagles to the girls' basketball state championship … Runner-up finish at the state meet in the discus event … Placed fifth in the high jump at the state meet … Chose the Hokies over Georgia and Kennesaw State.
Personal: Ashley Whitley … Born Aug. 24, 2001 … Daughter of Tony and Jan Whitley … Sister of Chris and Ashley … Planning on majoring in human nutrition, foods and exercise … Hopes to be a college softball coach.
Emma Yates
5'6" – Catcher, Outfield
R/R
Fairfax Station, Va.
South County High School
Williamsburg Starz
High School: Three-year letterwinner … Coached by Gary Dillow at South County HS … Played travel ball for Williamsburg Starz … Two-time all-conference … Two-time all-state … Second-team All-Met … Led the Stallions to two conference championships … Chose the Hokies over George Mason and Christopher Newport.
Personal: Emma Grace Yates … Born Dec. 15, 2000 … Daughter of Catherine Yates … Sister of Cara Yates … Planning on majoring in computer science … Hopes to be a technical analyst for the FBI.
Tech will begin its season on Feb. 8, taking on Wichita State and Central Michigan in Charleston, South Carolina at the Holy City Showdown, as College of Charleston plays host.