Jan. 18, 2010
By Sarah Tarasewicz
UCFAthletics.com
| Sam's Favorites | |
| Category | Favorite |
| Food | Pickles |
| Celebrity | Kat Von D |
| Sport | Football |
| Hang Out | On a boat |
| Restaurant | Red Robin |
| Hobby | Kayaking |
| Vacation Destination | Key West |
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - One of seven newcomers to join the UCF softball team in 2010, freshman Sam Soltis (Plantation, Fla.) is looking to make an immediate impact on the team and earn some playing time behind the plate.
A catcher from American Heritage High School, Soltis helped lead her team to the 3A Florida High School State Softball Championship title in three different seasons, while also being named to the All-Broward County First Team fourth-consecutive years.
As the captain of her squad in 2008, Soltis was honored with the American Heritage Coaches Award and garnered the title of American Heritage's Best Female Athlete as voted on by her peers. Soltis was also named her school's Iron Man of the Year in 2005 and her team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2007.
"Sam is one of those tough, tough players," UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "She works hard everyday to get better at her position. She is a consistent singles hitter that you can count on to get something done at the plate. She is quality when it comes to leadership as well. I think she will be one of the more vocal and direct players when she wants to get something done on the field."
Soltis played travel ball with the Miami Stingrays and the Gold Coast Hurricanes Gold. While with the Hurricanes, her team placed third at the ASA Gold Nationals in 2007 and seventh in 2005.
As a senior at American Heritage, Soltis held a 3.31 grade-point average. The catcher also volunteered with a non-profit athletic organization to help student-athletes obtain college scholarships for the last six years.
Soltis is the daughter of Rick and Peggy Soltis and also has a brother, Ricky. She is currently undecided on a major.
Season tickets for the 2010 season are only $40 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchase online at UCFAthletics.com or through the Athletics Ticket Office by calling (407) 823-1000.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
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