Softball Announces 2025-26 Recruiting Class

ORLANDO – In accompaniment with Wednesday’s National Signing Day, UCF softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone has announced the program’s signing class for the upcoming 2025-26 academic school year.

The Knights’ newest signing class consists of seven players, including two who were nationally ranked by Softball America and PrepSoftball.com. Left-handed pitcher/outfielder Hildie Dempsey and first baseman Kendall Trimm headline the group, with the former coming in at No. 33 overall according to PrepSoftball.com and the latter ranked No. 61 overall by Softball America. The pair are joined by infielder/outfielder Maliyah Warren, right-handed pitcher Ava Stuewe, left-handed pitcher/infielder Reagan Vokoun, right-handed pitcher Tori Payne and outfielder Ayala Durant.

Hildie Dempsey | LHP/OF | B/T: L/L | 5’6” | Jefferson, Wis. | Jefferson High School

The No. 33 overall player in the nation’s signing class this fall according to PrepSoftball.com, Dempsey joins the Black and Gold on the heels of her high school career with the Jefferson High School Eagles.

“I chose UCF because when I stepped foot on campus, it felt like home,” she said. “The elite coaching staff and top-notch academics will allow me to thrive and become the best possible version of myself. The competitive environment is something that is unmatched.”

Under the guidance of head coach Jeff Agnew, Dempsey three times earned First Team All-Conference and All-District honors, as well as a pair of First Team All-State selections. Hitting .526 with a 0.82 ERA, she also earned Conference and Offensive Player of the Year selections, as well as a Gold Glove for her efforts in the field.

With the Eagles, Dempsey won a pair of conference titles in 2022 and 2024, and finished as the state runners-up in 2022.

She joins her sister, Eden, within the Division I softball ranks, as Eden is entering her senior season as a catcher with the Wisconsin Badgers.

“Hildie is an athletic left-handed pitcher with tremendous potential, bringing her experience from competing in the PGF National Championship game,” Ball-Malone said. “Ranked in the top 50 for her class, she’s a standout talent with a bright future ahead. We’re thrilled to have her join our pitching staff and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make on the field.”

Maliyah Warren | INF/OF | B/T: L/R | 5’7” | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe West High School

Warren comes to Orlando after completing her high school career with the Olathe West High School Owls.

“I chose UCF because of the family-like atmosphere, and my goals align well with what coach Ball-Malone wants her program to accomplish,” she said. “I also want to study marine biology, so the location is perfect as well.”

Led by head coach Cynthia Adams, Warren earned First Team All-State infield and First Team Sunflower League honors, while also being selected to the MO/KAN All-Star Game. Most recently, Warren produced a .475 average in her junior season and helped lead her squad to a state championship in the 2023 season.

A member of Aces Fastpitch outside of school from 2021-24, Warren and her team earned a national fifth-place finish in 2022 as well, and was ranked No. 32 overall by Extra Inning softball in the 2022 class.

Warren joins her sister, Mikayla, at the Division I level, as Mikayla played collegiate softball as an outfielder with the Kansas Jayhawks from 2015-18.

“Maliyah is an athletic left-handed hitter with impressive speed and defensive versatility, excelling both in the infield and outfield,” Ball-Malone said. “She’s a natural leadoff hitter with emerging power, making her a key offensive asset.”

Ava Stuewe | RHP | B/T: R/R | 5’11” | Fredericksburg, Texas | Fredericksburg High School

Stuewe begins her collegiate career with UCF after completing her high school career with the Fredericksburg High School Billy Goats.

“I chose UCF because of the amazing softball community the program has built over the years, as well as the culture of the team,” she said.

Stuewe was a four-year varsity letterman with Fredericksburg, earning 2022 District Newcomer of the Year, 2023 First Team All-District, 2024 District MVP, and All-State THSCA Super Elite Team 2024 honors.

With the Billy Goats, Stuewe and her team produced an undefeated district championship season and advanced as far as the regional quarterfinals, and previously were area finalists in the 2022-23 campaign.

She was also a member of the Texas Bombers club team, a squad with which she won the 16U Alliance Fastpitch Tier II Championship in 2022.

Stuewe joins her sister, Rose, in advancing to play collegiate sports, as Rose was an All-American volleyball player at the Colorado School of Mines.

“Ava Stuewe is a powerhouse in the circle—a dominant pitcher with a full arsenal that keeps hitters guessing,” Ball-Malone said. “Her athleticism and skill make her a force both as a pitcher and at the plate, showcasing her versatility as a true two-way player.”

Reagan Vokoun | LHP/INF | B/T: L/L | 5’5” | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Southwest High School

Vokoun makes the move to Orlando to continue her softball career after playing in high school with the Lincoln Southwest Silverhawks.

“I chose UCF because it feels like home to me,” she said. “What UCF has to offer me academically and athletically is something you can’t find anywhere else. I also absolutely love the team and coaching staff.”

During the 2024 season, Vokoun set her school’s single-season doubles record with 21 while producing a 1.69 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 99 innings of work. Her resume also includes HAC All-Conference honors and an Omaha World Herald All-State Honorable Mention in 2022.

As a team, Vokoun and the Silverhawks earned four straight district championships, four HAC tournament titles, and four state tournament appearances from 2021-24, winning the state championship in 2021.

Reagan joins her mother, Cori Sampson Vokoun, in the ranks of college softball, as Cori made a Women’s College World Series appearance with Princeton in 1996.

“Reagan, a crafty left-handed pitcher, brings a high-level competitive spirit, combining an above-average changeup with a strong drop ball and the confidence to throw any pitch in any count,” Ball-Malone said. “Known for her ability to field her position well, Reagan also contributes at the plate, making her a versatile and impactful player.”

Kendall Trimm | 1B | B/T: L/L | 5’10” | Moody, Ala. | Moody High School

Trimm joins UCF to continue her playing career after spending her high school career with the Moody Blue Devils.

“When I first came to a camp, meeting the coaching staff felt like family,” she said. “I feel more cared for as a person than just my performance or what athletic ability I have, which is important for mental health. The campus is beautiful as well, and I love the warm weather.”

Nationally-ranked No. 61 in this year's class by Softball America, Trimm was also tabbed Extra Inning Softball National High School Player of the Week twice during the 2023 season, and she garnered All-St. Clair County Team and AHSAA.com All Tribune Team honors three times in her high school tenure (2021, 2023 and 2024).

The first baseman helped lead her squad to one county championship in 2022, two area championships in 2022 and 2024, one regional qualifier in 2024, and state tournament appearances in three consecutive years from 2022-24.

She was also ranked No. 22 nationally, and No. 5 at first base, by Extra Inning Softball on her club team in 2022.

“Kendall is a powerful left-handed hitter with the ability to drive the ball to all fields, making her a future anchor in the middle of the lineup,” Ball-Malone said. “As an above-average defender at first base, she brings both skill and reliability to the field. With her natural leadership qualities, Kendall is poised to become a key influence on and off the field.”

Tori Payne | RHP | B/T: R/R | 5’4” | Wellington, Fla. | Wellington High School

Payne remains in the Sunshine State to join the Knights after spending her high school tenure with the Wellington Wolverines.

“Since attending my first UCF softball camp in eighth grade, I have developed a deep connection with everything UCF has to offer,” she said. “After each camp, my love for UCF grew – the campus, the dedicated coaches and community. My experiences have made me proud to attend this university.”

The right-hander set a plethora of school records throughout her time at Wellington, including strikeouts in a game (19), strikeouts in a season (162), complete games in a season (17), shutouts in a season (7), innings pitched in a season (133.2) and career shutouts (9).

She was a four-year varsity starter and earned Palm Beach Post All-County honors in 2022 and 2024, as well as Sun Sentinel First Team All-County in 2022 and 2024.

With Payne’s help, the Wolverines won three district titles and one regional championship, while advancing to a pair of regional semifinals and one state final.

“Tori Payne is a top-tier pitcher and Alliance National Champion, recognized as one of the best from Florida,” Ball-Malone said. “With a unique blend of command, power, and deception, she’s a challenge for any hitter who steps up to the plate. A smart, game-savvy athlete and a skilled two-way player, Tori’s instincts and versatility set her apart, making her an invaluable presence on the field.”

Ayala Durant | OF | B/T: L/L | 5’3” | Fuquay-Varina, N.C. | Fuquay-Varina High School

Durant remains on the east coast with the Knights after playing in high school with the Fuquay-Varina Bengals.

“I love the campus and coaching staff,” she said of UCF. “The environment is amazing and I feel at home when I visit.”

Durant garnered 2024 offensive player of the year honors with the Bengals, accompanied by all-conference recognition in both of the last two seasons (2023-24). She also attained experience in club softball with the Lady Lightning Gold DPS from 2021-25, NC Challengers (2019-21) and South Wake Storm form 2013-18.

“Ayala is a standout athlete at Fuquay-Varina High School in North Carolina, bringing her speed, versatility and power to the Lady Lightning Gold travel team and her high school squad, where she was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2024,” Ball-Malone said. “An All-District and All-State center fielder, she’s a left-handed slapper with the ability to swing for power. In addition to her softball accomplishments, Ayala excels in track, swimming and basketball, showcasing her dynamic athleticism across multiple sports.”

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