Nov. 28, 2004
ORLANDO, Fla. - The UCF softball team announces that they have signed eight student-athletes in the early signing period to play ball as a Golden Knight in the 2005-06 season. Among the eight girls, there are five pitchers, two catchers and one first baseman.
"Due to losing seven seniors after this season," said Head Coach Renee Gillispie, "these eight student-athletes will fill the voids when completing in Conference USA next year."
The student-athletes are pitchers Lexi Gresham (Fresno, Calif./Clovis West HS), Magon Paul (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam HS), Heather Colson (Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast HS), Lauren Martin (Jacksonville, Fla./Stanton College Prep) and Allison Kime (Brandon, Fla./Bloomingdale HS/Hillsborough CC), catchers Laura Dailey (Lake Alfred, Fla./Lake Gibson HS) and Lindsay Dean (Jacksonville, Fla./Mandarin HS) first baseman Breanne Javier (Castaic, Calif./Valencia HS).
Gresham was a two-time All-League First Team member, Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year, All-Conference Pitcher of the Year and All-Valley First Team. Gresham plays travel ball with the Runnin' Rebels Gold and Fresno Force.
Paul was First Team All-District and All-Region 2002-04, Pitcher of the Year in 2004 and team captain junior and senior years. Paul also plays travel ball for the Virginia Legends who finished fifth at the PONY Nationals in 2002, 17th in 2003 and 33rd in 2004 at the ASA Nationals. Academically, Paul is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society along with making it onto the Principal's List 2001-04.
Colson is a four-year varsity letterman, All-Conference 2003-04 and Offensive MVP 2003-04. Along with her honors on the softball field, Colson has received numerous academic awards such as being named to the Who's Who Among High School Students for two years, is a member of the National Honor Society and National Honor Society of High School Scholars and is currently ranked 14th among her senior class. Colson plays travel ball for the First Coast Fire.
Martin is a four-year varsity starter, a member of the All-Area Team and All-Gateway Conference Team 2002-04, 2004 Times Union Player to Watch and District Champions 2002-04. Off the softball field, Martin is a member of the Who's Who Among High School Athletes, Who's Who Among American High School Students, National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Martin plays travel ball with the Jacksonville Storm.
Kime was a four-year varsity letterman, was Player of the Year in 2004 for Hillsborough County Class 6A, Hillsborough County School District, St. Pete Times, Tampa Tribune and Florida Dairy Farmers, was named to the First Team All-State Team for Class 6A in 2004 and was MVP for the Western Conference in 2004 and Bloomingdale HS in 2003-04 and was First Team All-County 2003. Kime currently plays for Hillsborough CC and travel ball for the Tampa Mustangs.
"We are very excited about the pitchers that are coming in next season," said Gillispie. "Lexi, Allison and Magon Paul will bring top level competition to team. Heather and Lauren will play in the field but add depth on the mound as well."
Dailey was Player of the Year 2000-01, MVP and Honorable Mention All-County (Polk) Team in 2002, Defensive Player of the Year 2002-03, Honorable Mention All-County (Polk) Team in 2003 and Offensive Player of the Year 2003. She is also a member of the Tampa Mustangs travel team. Academically, Dailey has been on the honor roll since her freshman year, was named the 2003 Business Cooperative Education Student of the Year and is currently the secretary of the Future Business Leaders of America.
Dean has been a three-year varsity letterman, was awarded Rising Mustang Coaches Award in 2002, named to the Third Team All-City in 2002, a member of the All-Gateway Conference in 2003-04, class 6A Player of the Year in 2003, Mandarin HS MVP 2003, Second Team All-City 2003-04 and won the Coaches Leadership award in 2004. Dailey is also a member of the Jacksonville Storm who was NSA State Champions and USFA World Series Champions in 2001, finished fourth at the USFA World Series and first at the NSA Winter State Championship in 2002. Academically, Dailey is a member of the National Honor Society and is ranked 64 out of 553 in her senior class.
"Laura and Lindsay will add depth behind the plate as well as solid bats in the line-up," said Gillispie.
Javier is a three-year varsity letterman, was named to the First Team All-League in 2004 and was named a Scholar Athlete 2001-03. She plays travel ball for the Southern California Diamonds who placed 33rd at the ASA 18 Gold Nationals in 2002 and fifth in the 16-under division at the ASA Nationals in 2001.
"Breanne will provide a strong bat in the line-up as well as solid defense at first base," said Gillispie.