Troy University Athletics
Troy Softball Adds Six During Early Signing Period
11/26/2012 12:45:00 PM | Softball
TROY, Ala. – Troy softball head coach Melanie Davis announced on Monday the addition of sixstudent-athletes that will join the Troy softball program next season. Abbie Ellison, Jordan Gray, Mackenzie Kayler, Savannah Thomas, Meg Willis and Becca Harley all have signed their National Letters of Intent over the past week.
“Each year, the program identifies specific needs and our entire staff works diligently to put together a talented group of student athletes that will meet our needs,” Davis said. “Without a doubt this class is extremely strong both athletically and academically.”
“This group truly possesses the intangibles we look for when adding individuals to our Troy softball family. I am extremely excited about the qualities that each of these young ladies brings to our program. Although I feel our program is in a very good place, there is no doubt the class of 2013 will help take us to the next level regionally and nationally,” Davis said.
Abbie Ellison (Leeds, Ala.) will join the Trojans after graduating from Leeds High School. In her two seasons, Ellison has been selected twice as an all-state honorable mention as a shortstop.
As a sophomore, Ellison tied a state record with three home runs in one game, as well as hitting .540 for the season which is among the best in state history.
Ellison has been selected to the Adidas Futures Tournament and is a member of the Birmingham Vipers Gillespie, who finished third at ASA Nationals in 2012.
Ellison plans to major in broadcast journalism at Troy.
Jordan Gray (Chelsea, Ala.) will come to Troy as a utility player and plans to major in physical therapy. At Chelsea High School, Gray was a member of the 2012 5A State Championship team.
Before transferring to Chelsea, Gray played her sophomore year at Kingwood Christian, who finished as state runners-up in AISA in 2011.
She was a All-Shelby County Selection, as well as a Birmingham News All-Metro selection during her sophomore campaign.
Gray also plays with the Birmingham Vipers Gillespie and helped the team finished third at the ASA Nationals this past year.
"I chose Troy because it just felt like home," Gray said. "The girls were extremely nice and I feel like I will fit with them perfectly. The coaching staff made me feel welcome and I am truly pleased to play at Troy for the next 4 years."
Pitcher/first baseman Mackenzie Kayler (Roswell, Ga.) joins the Troy softball program from Lassiter High School.
A team captain and two-time team MVP at Lassiter, Kayler was a two-time all-region and all-county selection.
In her senior year, Lassiter finished fifth in the Georgia High School Athletic Association State Tournament, as Kayler was named Region Five Player of the Year.
Kayler was also an Academic Scholar Athlete in high school and plans to major in nursing at Troy.
Kayler decided to come to Troy because she loved the campus, the atmosphere and the softball team.
Outfielder Savannah Thomas (Southside, Ala.) comes to Troy from Southside High School.
Thomas played travel ball with the Birmingham Thunderbolts and was a part of team's that won both the ASA State Championship and the Triple Crown World Championships.
At Southside High School, Thomas has lettered in both, softball and basketball. She is a Scholar Athlete Award winner and a winner of the team's Varsity Offensive Player of the Year.
Thomas intends to major in sports fitness management and signed with the Trojans because of the high quality education and the softball team's family atmosphere.
Meg Willis (Huntsville, Ala.) has lettered all four years at Sparkman High School.
A member of Sparkman's 2012 6A State Championship team as a junior, Willis was named to North/South All-Star game this past summer, where she won MVP honors after hitting a two-run home run for the North squad.
As a sophomore, Willis was selected as ESPN Rise Player of the Week, as well as honorable mention pick on the Huntsville Times Elite Team.
Troy native Becca Hartley is the final piece to the signing class. A senior at Charles Henderson High School, the utility infielder is a four-year letter winner in softball and volleyball, but also serves as Student Government Association president, is a member of National Honor Society and an “All A” Honor Roll student
Hartley was selected as an All-County player this past season at Charles Henderson. She is also a two-time FCA Athlete of the Year.Planning to major in nursing, Willis chose Troy because of the family atmosphere of the university, as well as the softball program.
For more information on Troy Athletics, be sure to check out TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.
“Each year, the program identifies specific needs and our entire staff works diligently to put together a talented group of student athletes that will meet our needs,” Davis said. “Without a doubt this class is extremely strong both athletically and academically.”
“This group truly possesses the intangibles we look for when adding individuals to our Troy softball family. I am extremely excited about the qualities that each of these young ladies brings to our program. Although I feel our program is in a very good place, there is no doubt the class of 2013 will help take us to the next level regionally and nationally,” Davis said.
As a sophomore, Ellison tied a state record with three home runs in one game, as well as hitting .540 for the season which is among the best in state history.
Ellison has been selected to the Adidas Futures Tournament and is a member of the Birmingham Vipers Gillespie, who finished third at ASA Nationals in 2012.
Ellison plans to major in broadcast journalism at Troy.
Before transferring to Chelsea, Gray played her sophomore year at Kingwood Christian, who finished as state runners-up in AISA in 2011.
She was a All-Shelby County Selection, as well as a Birmingham News All-Metro selection during her sophomore campaign.
Gray also plays with the Birmingham Vipers Gillespie and helped the team finished third at the ASA Nationals this past year.
"I chose Troy because it just felt like home," Gray said. "The girls were extremely nice and I feel like I will fit with them perfectly. The coaching staff made me feel welcome and I am truly pleased to play at Troy for the next 4 years."
A team captain and two-time team MVP at Lassiter, Kayler was a two-time all-region and all-county selection.
In her senior year, Lassiter finished fifth in the Georgia High School Athletic Association State Tournament, as Kayler was named Region Five Player of the Year.
Kayler was also an Academic Scholar Athlete in high school and plans to major in nursing at Troy.
Kayler decided to come to Troy because she loved the campus, the atmosphere and the softball team.
Thomas played travel ball with the Birmingham Thunderbolts and was a part of team's that won both the ASA State Championship and the Triple Crown World Championships.
At Southside High School, Thomas has lettered in both, softball and basketball. She is a Scholar Athlete Award winner and a winner of the team's Varsity Offensive Player of the Year.
Thomas intends to major in sports fitness management and signed with the Trojans because of the high quality education and the softball team's family atmosphere.
A member of Sparkman's 2012 6A State Championship team as a junior, Willis was named to North/South All-Star game this past summer, where she won MVP honors after hitting a two-run home run for the North squad.
As a sophomore, Willis was selected as ESPN Rise Player of the Week, as well as honorable mention pick on the Huntsville Times Elite Team.
Hartley was selected as an All-County player this past season at Charles Henderson. She is also a two-time FCA Athlete of the Year.Planning to major in nursing, Willis chose Troy because of the family atmosphere of the university, as well as the softball program.
“I chose Troy because I want to be part of a competitive program while learning how to become a better person and player,” Hartley said on signing with the Trojans.
Eric Newell Postgame Press Conference (Coastal Carolina Games Two and Three)
Friday, May 01
Troy at Coastal Carolina Game One Highlights
Thursday, April 30
Eric Newell Postgame Press Conference (Coastal Carolina Game One)
Thursday, April 30
Player Postgame Press Conference (Ella Cunningham, Presley Ivey) - Coastal Carolina
Thursday, April 30