ORLANDO – The UCF softball team inked the nation's No. 16 recruiting class on 2022 National Signing Day according to Extra Innings Softball, the best ranked class in program history. Seven newcomers joined the Knights on Wednesday, including five that were ranked by Extra Innings and four of them were among the top 200 players in the class.
The Black and Gold will welcome Isabella Vega, Samantha Rey, Kiley Strott, Taylor Kittleman, Alexis Morgan, Samantha Delhoyo and Sierra Humphreys for the 2023-24 academic year, UCF's first season as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
"We have very high expectations for this group and their contributions to our mission of competing for Big 12 Championships and ending each season in Oklahoma City," said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "This group has an extremely high work ethic and a ton of energy. Their versatility will fit into the same style of play that our fans have grown to love, and their drive will elevate us to new heights as a program. We are proud to present this group to Knight Nation."
Isabella Vega | RHP | R/R | 5'5 | Bradenton, Fla.
Vega is a top 100 prospect in this year's class and is tied for 27th in the national rankings, according to Extra Innings. She has found plenty of success at Parrish Community High School where she was named the FACA District 16 Class 3A Player of the Year. She recorded a 0.65 ERA, 0.59 WHIP, .127 batting average against and struck out 195 batters on her way to earning the school's Player of the Year honor. On top of dominating in high school softball, Vega plays club softball with the Tampa Mustangs under coach Rene Ciccarello.
"I chose UCF because of the academics, the culture within the team, the chance to be taught by Coach Bear, to stay close to my family and the level of school spirit."
Ball-Malone on Vega
"Isa is another Florida product that we are very glad we could keep in State. As the lone pitcher in this class, Isa is a swing and miss master and an artist of deception and movement. She has an elite level changeup to compliment her already difficult to hit repertoire. Isa's quiet confidence and extreme poise allows her to execute at an extremely high level in pressure situations. Knight Nation is going to witness something special every time Isa pitches at the Plex."
Samantha Rey | MIF | L/R | 5'2 | Fairfield, Calif.
Rey was another top 100 player in this year's recruiting class and was tied at No. 27 in the country alongside Vega. She is just as highly decorated, being named an Extra Innings High School All-American and earning a spot on the Cal-Hi 2022 All State Team in her junior season, along with other awards such as the Monterey Herald 2022 Player of the Year, First Team All-League, All-CCS First Team and League MVP. Rey also suits up for the Batbusters 18U club team under the direction of coach Mike Stith. She also played tennis this semester, participating in doubles and becoming league champs this fall.
"I chose UCF because the coaching staff is amazing and I love the environment here."
Ball-Malone on Rey
"Rey is a true softball junky. She has a very high work ethic and is constantly trying to improve her skills and learn the game better. She is quick and explosive. She can execute a team at bat by bouncing the ball behind a runner and then score them with a double in the gap her next at bat. Defensively, Sam has soft hands and can get to balls all over the infield. Her quick release will allow her to make some very dynamic plays for our pitching staff."
Kiley Strott | C | R/R | 5'8 | Longwood, Fla.
Strott, a local product from down the road at Lake Brantley High School, comes to UCF as another highly-rated recruit, earning a tie of the No. 32 mark. She captained her squad to a runner-up finish in the state championship game in the spring and earned a second team all-conference nod in the process. Her sophomore season she hit .432 with six homers and 25 RBI as she earned a first team all-conference nod, a spot on the 2021 7A All-State Team and an Offensive Player of the Year honor. Away from the Central Florida area, Strott plays club ball with the Tennessee Mojo under the direction of Michael Danley.
"I chose UCF because of the coaching staff and the family-like atmosphere; it makes me feel at home. I love the campus and the athletic facilities are amazing. It's also nice to be close to home."
Ball-Malone on Strott
"We always love to keep the best local talent at home, and we're thrilled Kiley wanted to represent her hometown team. Kiley has always been a high-level defender and her ability to catch and throw stuck out to us from the first time we saw her. What might be more impressive is her desire to grow as a competitor and a leader. Kiley is a great connector and is one of the biggest advocates for UCF Softball. Offensively, Kiley continues to expand her game and will be a huge power threat for our lineup when she arrives on campus."
Taylor Kittleman | MIF | L/R | 5'10 | Lancaster, Pa.
Kittleman is another prospect that is in the top 200 grouping of players and is listed as a tie for No. 54 in the country. She earned her team MVP award in her sophomore season as well as a First Team All-League nod. Away from her high school squad, Kittleman suits up for the Newton Rock 18U National Team. Off the diamond, Kittleman is a student mentor, participates in Mini Thon, a pediatric cancer fundraiser, and is the Morale Committee leader at her high school.
"I chose UCF because of the competitiveness and success of the softball program, but even more so the culture on campus. The first time I was at UCF, it felt like home. I couldn't see myself continuing my academic or athletic career anywhere else."
Ball-Malone on Kittleman
"Taylor is a passionate softball player and a leader on the field. She has a high softball IQ and is constantly connecting with her teammates. She plays extremely hard and if we're judging by the condition of her uniform after games, leaving it all on the field is ingrained in her DNA. Taylor is another tall, left-handed hitter that will fit perfectly in our offensive system. I believe she has just scratched the surface on where she can go in this game."
Alexis Morgan | OF | L/R | 5'3 | Centreville, Va.
Morgan checks in at a tie of No. 93 on Extra Innings' top recruits list and has earned plenty of accolades to this point. She has a pair of All-District and All-Region First Team honors as well as making the VHSL Class 6A All-State Team. She currently also plays club ball with the Tennessee Mojo under the direction of coach Mike Lunsford. The club team was the 2022 Alliance Fastpitch National Champions and earned second place at the 2022 Colorado Sparkler. Away from the field, Morgan participates in seven organizations in school including the National Honor Society and Pre-Med Club.
"I chose to attend UCF because of the atmosphere, educational opportunities and softball program. My goal is to become a nurse and the UCF nursing school is highly ranked. I also like the fact that UCF is very diverse. When I visited UCF for my first softball camp, I was amazed by the coaches and team and knew that I could call UCF home."
Ball-Malone on Morgan
"Alexis is versatile and quick and will put a ton of pressure on the defense. She has the ability to outrun an infield, slap for power, and cause chaos on the basepaths. She really gives us the dynamic look that Knight Nation has grown accustomed to seeing on offense. Alexis will bring a ton of speed on defense and experience to our outfield. She is a true student of the game."
Samantha Delhoyo | UT | L/R | 5'10 | Flemington, N.J.
Delhoyo has hit the ball all around the yard in her first three high school seasons, batting over .415 in all four seasons. She is coming off a junior season in which she hit a career-best .435, gathering 34 hits, 27 runs and 18 RBI on the way to becoming back-to-back county champions. She has earned back-to-back First Team All-Conference nods and exceeded the 100 career hits mark this past year. She was also honored with the New Jersey's Girls and Women in Sports Award. Delhoyo ran track her sophomore year, taking part in hurdles and sprints.
"UCF felt like home as soon as I stepped on campus. I adore the softball coaching staff. Being from New Jersey, I wanted to go to a big school and escape the cold; UCF had everything I was looking for."
Ball-Malone on Delhoyo
"Sammi is a rare blend of size and speed. She is a long, rangy athlete who can play all over the field. As a left-handed hitter, Sammi has many tools that we want to utilize in our offense. She has speed and she has big time power potential. She reminds me of my high school teammate, Jessica Mendoza. Those are some big expectations to live up to, but I love that she never shied away from that compliment and is determined leave her mark on our program."
Sierra Humphreys | INF | R/R | 5'5 | Corona, Calif.
Humphreys has tallied a pair of All-Conference first team nods over her past two seasons. Away from Centennial High School, Humphreys suits up for the Corona Angles, a club team that many of UCF's current California natives played for before suiting up for the Black and Gold. Humphreys led the Angels in RBI this past summer.
"I chose UCF because I loved the environment and the people when I visited. The team chemistry and how involved they are with each other made it feel like home."
Ball-Malone on Humphreys
"Sierra is as tough of a defender as I have seen at the high school level. She has literally run through a pole to catch a ball. She is explosive and dynamic, and we expect her to be an elite level defender for us the day she steps on campus. Offensively, she has been gifted with the clutch gene. She is a middle of the order bat with oppo pop and she lead the Corona Angels in RBIs during the summer circuit."
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