Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech women's soccer program is unveiling its 2019 signing class in a different way. Rather than announcing all of them and their accomplishments in one release, the Hokies will highlight each new signee individually, which will include a brief "Get to Know" Q&A, until all of the incoming freshmen have been announced.
The first 2019 addition to be featured is Calista Heister, a 5-foot-7 forward from Olean, New York. She currently attends Olean High School and is contemplating majoring in English/Pre Law and wants to be an attorney after her playing career is over. For the Huskies, Heister earned five varsity letters playing for Dan Freeman and just completed a remarkable senior season for Olean.
This past fall, Heister scored a Section VI-best 57 goals, believed to be a Big 30 record, as she helped lead the Huskies to their first sectional title in 21 years, winning the Section VI Class B1 championship. She also finished seventh all-time in career goals scored in the state of New York as she put away 167 in her varsity career, while also added 42 assists.
Heister was the team's MVP for four seasons, earned a Rookie of the Year honor in 2014 and was named a Big 30 selection the past three seasons. She helped the team to a pair of CCAA West Division titles (2014-15) and was a First Team West All-CCAA selection the past three years.
Her club soccer experience started in 2011 with the Empire United Soccer Academy before she moved over to the WNY Flash Academy ECNL in 2015. With Empire, Heister won the 2015 state championship, while with the Flash this past season, she scored in almost 75 percent of the games she played (11 of 15). She also started four times for the Western NY Flash, a team that completes in the United Women's Soccer League.
According to TopDrawerSoccer, Heister is ranked as the second overall player in the state of New York and the top forward, and is the 20th-ranked forward in the nation, while IMG ranks her as the 64th best player in the country.
"Calista is a dynamic, smart left-footed forward, who can make good runs from behind. She is a good finisher and is good at going to goal," Tech head women's soccer coach Chugger Adair said. "She is always dangerous with her movement and her ability around goal. So, we're looking forward to her coming in and helping us increase our production up top and be a more attacking-minded team."
GET TO KNOW - Calista
Name: Calista Heister
Position: Forward
Height: 5-foot-7
Hometown: Olean, New York
High School: Olean High School
Other Schools considered: Ohio State, Michigan, Rutgers, Pitt, Syracuse
Why did you choose Tech? I wanted to play for a successful and accomplished ACC program. I was impressed with the coaching staff, facilities, and the campus.
What was your favorite thing about your visit? My favorite part was seeing all of the facilities at Tech and getting to know the coaches better.
What do you like about the Tech soccer program? Virginia Tech's past success and experience.
What are your soccer strengths? My soccer strengths are my left foot, my strength on the ball and my vision of the field.
Who is your favorite pro player (why)? Josef Martinez (a Venezuelan who plays as a striker for the Major League Soccer club Atlanta United FC and the Venezuelan national team) because he always finds a way to score in critical moments.
What is your most memorable soccer moment (why)? My most memorable soccer moment was winning sectionals for the first time in 21 years at my school.
What do you think you will major in? English-Pre Law.
What's one thing you'd want Tech fans to know about you? My nickname is Cal.