ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF softball head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie announced four additions to her 2018 signing class on Monday. Three junior college transfers and one high school student-athlete have elected to continue their careers as Knights.
Alicia Tomberlin, Savannah Julylia, Takiya London, and Damaria Cannon have committed to play collegiately for UCF starting in the fall of 2018 and will join Karissa Ornelas, Ashley Stephenson, Tera Testa, and Breanna Vasquez who signed in the fall as the 2018-19 newcomers.
"We are extremely excited about adding four more athletes to our roster," Gillispie said. "They are all strong student-athletes with abundant accolades that are going to bring a lot of success to this program both on and off the field."
Tomberlin joins the Knights from Daytona State College where she has spent the last two seasons primarily at third base for the falcons. The Oviedo, Fla. native has started 79 games for Daytona State hitting .324 this past season driving in 21 runs and boasting a .523 slugging percentage.
Tomberlin proved to be solid at the plate drawing 23 walks in two seasons and striking out only 11 times in 216 at-bats. In the field, Tomberlin holds a career .968 fielding percentage at third.
"I grew up with UCF in my backyard and have always hoped to graduate as a Knight," said Tomberlin. "Being able to play softball is an added bonus on this exciting journey. I've gone to softball camps as a kid, and I am excited that my dream to be a UCF softball player is finally coming true. I am ready to come home and officially be a Knight!"
In high school, Tomberlin earned all-conference honors three times as she helped her team to two top four finishes in the state. Tomberlin was also named to the all-state team and was named the Player of the 2016 All-Star game.
Not only is Tomberlin going to be a threat on the field for the Knights, but will also add to the team's impressive grade point average as Tomberlin earned NJCAA First Team All-Academic Honors for her perfect 4.0 GPA.
Julylia has spent two seasons at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Fla. where she excelled in the middle infield and at the plate. She has appeared in 103 games carrying a .415 batting average collecting 18 doubles, while bringing in 68 runs. The Lake Worth, Fla. native flourishes on the base paths having stolen 45 bases, including 26 her rookie season.
"I am beyond excited and proud about becoming a Knight," stated Julylia. "It has been my dream to play softball at this level for as long as I could remember."
Julylia's 155 total bases gives her a .465 on-base percentage as she as helped lead her team to a 44-12 record and 19-1 in the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA).
In high school, Julylia was a four-time all-conference standout including all-state honors her senior year.
London comes to UCF from the College of Central Florida after spending one season with the Patriots. The Chiefland, Fla. native was recently voted to the Mid-Florida All-Conference First Team helping her team to a 52-10 overall record and 22-2 record in conference play.
London is second in the state and top-10 in the nation in total home runs with 19 and second in the state and top-20 in the nation in RBI with 68.
The shortstop has appeared in 60 games posting a .399 batting average with 13 doubles, four triples, and 153 total bases. The power-hitting righty has also recorded 19 stolen bases, proving to be an offensive dual threat combined with her .808 slugging percentage.
"I chose UCF because it offered everything I want and need in a school academically and socially all while I get to play the sport I love," stated London. "I'm very excited about becoming a Knight and attending such an amazing school."
Cannon is the only non-transfer from the late signing period coming from Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, Calif. The outfielder is a reliable bat at the plate hitting .537 her senior year with a .558 on base percentage. In 22 games, Cannon racked up 44 hits with 18 RBI and 30 runs.
During her junior year, Cannon recorded a .443 batting average with a .534 slugging percentage. Cannon also collected 32 runs in 26 games proving to be smart on the bases. Adding to her impressive stats, Cannon recorded just four strikeouts in her junior campaign.
"I am extremely excited to be a UCF Knight. Walking on the campus and seeing the softball field was love at first sight," said Cannon. "I chose UCF because it felt like a second home from the minute I got there on my visit. The softball program is an amazing program and I wouldn't have chosen any other school to be a part of."
The Knights finished the season 34-22 overall on the season and 12-9 in conference play. UCF finished tied for third for the second consecutive year. In their four seasons The American, UCF has finished third or better each year.