Photo by: CCU Photography
Softball Adds Seven for the Class of 2023
11/10/2022 3:30:00 PM | Softball
Coach Green brings in seven Chants for 2023
CONWAY, S.C. - Coastal Carolina softball head coach Kelley Green is excited to announce the signing of seven student-athletes in Ryanne Ellis (Aynor, S.C./Aynor HS), Abby Henderson (Luverne, Ala./Crenshaw Christian Academy), Hope McDonald (Carmel, Ind./Carmel HS), Sydney Montoya (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County HS), Brielle Normandin (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente HS/JSerra Catholic HS), Sara Rollins (Falls Church City, Va./Meridian HS), and Emma Skovran (Fort Mill, S.C./Nation Ford HS) to continue both their academic and athletic careers at Coastal Carolina beginning in the fall of 2023.
"This 2023 class is certainly filled with talented student-athletes, and we expect them to make an immediate impact in our program," stated Green. "Off the field, this group is academically motivated and has high character. We can't wait to get them on campus!"
Ryanne Ellis – Aynor, S.C. / Aynor High School
"Ryanne can play both sides of the field well, and she brings a powerful bat to our lineup," commented Green.
A local standout student-athlete from nearby Aynor High School, Ellis will join her sister Kennedy Ellis at CCU beginning in the fall of 2023.
A multi-sport athlete lettering in softball, volleyball, and basketball at Aynor, Ellis was a 2021 all-region selection of the diamond at third base as a sophomore while playing for head coach Tony Mills.
Last year as a junior in 2022, Ellis helped lead the Blue Jackets to a 23-5 overall record and a runner-up Class 3A state championship finish after winning the 2022 Lower-State Championship, 2022 Region Championship, and 2022 District Championship titles.
She was also a key part of the Aynor team that was the 2021 Lower-State runner-up, the 2021 Region runner-up, and the 2021 District Champions, after winning the Regional Championship title and finishing as the runner-up at the District Championships in 2019.
Ellis, who also plays club softball for the Mojo of the Carolinas, is an active member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, and the Beta Club, as well as the honor roll. She is also a Future Farmers of America (FFA) member, where she has earned a Greenhand FFA Degree, Chapter FFA Degree, and State FFA Degree.
She was also named the Homecoming Queen.
Born in Conway, S.C., Ellis' father is a CCU graduate. She is also the cousin of former Coastal Carolina baseball great and Hall of Famer G.K. Young, who played three seasons for the Chants and was drafted by the San Diego Padres.
Abby Henderson – Luverne, Ala. / Crenshaw Christian Academy
"Abby is a power pitcher who we expect to make an immediate impact in the Sun Belt for us," continued Green.
A nine-year letterwinner and five-year team captain for her softball team having played on the varsity team for head coach Russell Lawrence since the fifth grade.
A pitcher and utility player, Henderson holds her high school record for most strikeouts in the circle and was chosen to the AISA Junior Softball All-Star Game last year.
She helped lead her softball team to back-to-back AISA 1A state runner-up finishes in both 2021 and 2022, and a Regional Championship title in 2019.
Last season, Henderson led the team with 318 strikeouts for the 2022 season and earned a spot on the Colorado 4th of July All-Tournament second team.
As a sophomore in 2021, she was ranked No. 17 nationally overall by Extra Inning Softball and No. 16 for pitchers for the Class of 2023, while she also was named to the AISA 1A Softball All-Tournament team.
In 2020 during the COVID-shortened season, she was named to the ASWA All-State first team, while in both 2018 and 2019, she was tabbed the team's MVP. In 2019, she was also awarded the team's Pitching Award after picking up all-state second-team honors and the team's Offensive Award for the highest batting average in 2018.
She also lettered as a middle blocker and outside hitter on the volleyball team and was a team captain for four years. Henderson helped lead her volleyball squad to a 2021 Regional Championship title and an AISA JV State 1A Championship title.
Henderson is also a two-time Team MVP for her volleyball team and earned a spot on the 2021 AISA State All-Tournament Team and the Tournament MVP at the regional championships.
A member of the EC Bullets club team, Henderson is a Senior Student Government Association (SGA) representative, a Homecoming attendant, and a member of the Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, and National Honor Society.
Hope McDonald – Carmel, Ind. / Carmel High School
"Hope is a high-level hitter and outfielder who has great power, which will be a great addition to our lineup," stated Green.
A four-year letterwinner while playing first base and the outfield at Carmel High School for head coach Ginger Britton, McDonald ranked in the top 30 in the state of Indiana in fielding percentage (10th), home runs (11th), RBIs (20th), batting average (25th), and on-base percentage (30th) last season as a junior.
A three-time Academic All-Conference selection, McDonald played in the All-Star Game at the Colorado Sparkler and the All-American Game at the Colorado Sparkler in the summer of 2021. She also plays club softball for the Indiana Bombers-Poeck.
McDonald comes from an athletic family, as her grandfather Jerry McDonald played football at Bradley University, while her other grandfather Ted Bruington lettered in baseball at Bradley. Her father, Brian McDonald, played football at Eastern Illinois, her uncle Bryon Bruington played baseball at Kaskaskia College, and she has five cousins that have or are currently competing in college athletics.
Sydney Montoya – Castle Rock, Colo. / Douglas County High School
"Sydney is a versatile athlete and can play many positions at a high level," continued Green.
Montoya hails from Castle Rock, Colo., and is a name Chanticleer fans should know, as her sister Abbey Montoya has been on the softball team since 2019. A utility player that can play multiple positions, Montoya is a four-year letterwinner on the diamond for head coach Katherine Drake at Douglas County High School.
Rated as one of the top outfielders for the Class of 2023 by the Colorado Prep Report, the three-year starter, and three-year regional qualifier was named all-state honorable mention last year as a junior. She was also the 2022 Continental League Player of the Year runner-up and earned a spot on the 2022 Continental All-League first team.
She was also named to the 2021 Continental All-League second team and picked up 2020 Continental All-League honorable mention accolades.
Montoya also plays for the Colorado Stars – Sakamoto club team.
A four-year scholar-athlete, Montoya is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, the National Honor Society, and the Honor Roll. Her brother, Jared, played baseball collegiately, while her sister will wrap up her collegiate softball career at CCU this fall.
Brielle Normandin – San Clemente, Calif. / San Clemente High School / JSerra Catholic High School
"Brie is an elite-level middle infielder with all the tools to be successful at the next level," Green commented.
An experienced infielder in her senior season at JSerra Catholic High School this year under head coach Katie Stith, Normandin played three years at San Clemente High School over her freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons.
A member of the Batbusters club team, Normandin is also a member of both the Superintendent's Honor Roll and Principle's Honor Roll, and is an active member of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF). She also earned a Seal of Biliteracy, was nominated as a 2022 invited scholar to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum for Medicine and was selected for the "Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence".
Sara Rollins – Falls Church City, Va. / Meridian High School
"Sara brings positive energy, a solid work ethic, and depth behind the plate for us," commented Green.
A catcher and utility player from Falls Church City, Va., Rollins was a multi-sport letterwinner at Bishop O'Connell High School in softball and volleyball for three years before transferring to Meridian High School for her senior year this year.
A three-year letterwinner in softball, she lined up catcher, second base, and first base, while helping lead her team to a pair of conference, district, and state championship titles in 2021 and 2022.
The two-time all-state selection, picking up first-team honors in 2022 and second-team recognition in 2021, Rollins is also a two-time all-conference and all-district honoree.
A member of the Tri-State Thunder travel team, Rollins played this past summer for Team USA 18U for the International Challenge held in Colorado and was also on the combined USA All-Star team that played in the USA vs. World game.
Rollins is a City Council Student Representative for the Homeless Shelter Board and a Best Buddies and Special Olympics volunteer. She also is a Girl Scouts Brownie Ambassador, earning the Silver Award.
Emma Skovran – Fort Mill, S.C. / Nation Ford High School
"Emma is a speedy outfielder who can put pressure on opposing teams from the left side of the plate and on the bases," said Green.
An outfielder from Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill, S.C., Skovran has lettered for four years on the softball diamond, helping her team win the conference championship in both 2018 and 2019 as a member of the varsity team.
Tabbed the Team's Offensive Player of the Year, Skovran has also been named all-region and all-area first-team by the Rock Hill Herald.
In each of the last two seasons, she has set the Nation Ford softball program record in stolen bases with 21, first in 2021 and then again last year in 2022.
Skovran also plays club softball for the Mojo of the Carolinas club team.
A South Carolina Junior Scholar, she was a member of the Junior Beta Club and is a member of the Honor Roll. Skovran is also a member of the school's Veterinary Science Team, which ranks fourth in the state of South Carolina, and received her Elanco Veterinary Science Certification.
For complete coverage of Coastal Carolina softball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalSoftball (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUSoftball (Facebook), @coastal_softball (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
"This 2023 class is certainly filled with talented student-athletes, and we expect them to make an immediate impact in our program," stated Green. "Off the field, this group is academically motivated and has high character. We can't wait to get them on campus!"
Ryanne Ellis – Aynor, S.C. / Aynor High School
"Ryanne can play both sides of the field well, and she brings a powerful bat to our lineup," commented Green.
A local standout student-athlete from nearby Aynor High School, Ellis will join her sister Kennedy Ellis at CCU beginning in the fall of 2023.
A multi-sport athlete lettering in softball, volleyball, and basketball at Aynor, Ellis was a 2021 all-region selection of the diamond at third base as a sophomore while playing for head coach Tony Mills.
Last year as a junior in 2022, Ellis helped lead the Blue Jackets to a 23-5 overall record and a runner-up Class 3A state championship finish after winning the 2022 Lower-State Championship, 2022 Region Championship, and 2022 District Championship titles.
She was also a key part of the Aynor team that was the 2021 Lower-State runner-up, the 2021 Region runner-up, and the 2021 District Champions, after winning the Regional Championship title and finishing as the runner-up at the District Championships in 2019.
Ellis, who also plays club softball for the Mojo of the Carolinas, is an active member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, and the Beta Club, as well as the honor roll. She is also a Future Farmers of America (FFA) member, where she has earned a Greenhand FFA Degree, Chapter FFA Degree, and State FFA Degree.
She was also named the Homecoming Queen.
Born in Conway, S.C., Ellis' father is a CCU graduate. She is also the cousin of former Coastal Carolina baseball great and Hall of Famer G.K. Young, who played three seasons for the Chants and was drafted by the San Diego Padres.
Abby Henderson – Luverne, Ala. / Crenshaw Christian Academy
"Abby is a power pitcher who we expect to make an immediate impact in the Sun Belt for us," continued Green.
A nine-year letterwinner and five-year team captain for her softball team having played on the varsity team for head coach Russell Lawrence since the fifth grade.
A pitcher and utility player, Henderson holds her high school record for most strikeouts in the circle and was chosen to the AISA Junior Softball All-Star Game last year.
She helped lead her softball team to back-to-back AISA 1A state runner-up finishes in both 2021 and 2022, and a Regional Championship title in 2019.
Last season, Henderson led the team with 318 strikeouts for the 2022 season and earned a spot on the Colorado 4th of July All-Tournament second team.
As a sophomore in 2021, she was ranked No. 17 nationally overall by Extra Inning Softball and No. 16 for pitchers for the Class of 2023, while she also was named to the AISA 1A Softball All-Tournament team.
In 2020 during the COVID-shortened season, she was named to the ASWA All-State first team, while in both 2018 and 2019, she was tabbed the team's MVP. In 2019, she was also awarded the team's Pitching Award after picking up all-state second-team honors and the team's Offensive Award for the highest batting average in 2018.
She also lettered as a middle blocker and outside hitter on the volleyball team and was a team captain for four years. Henderson helped lead her volleyball squad to a 2021 Regional Championship title and an AISA JV State 1A Championship title.
Henderson is also a two-time Team MVP for her volleyball team and earned a spot on the 2021 AISA State All-Tournament Team and the Tournament MVP at the regional championships.
A member of the EC Bullets club team, Henderson is a Senior Student Government Association (SGA) representative, a Homecoming attendant, and a member of the Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, and National Honor Society.
Hope McDonald – Carmel, Ind. / Carmel High School
"Hope is a high-level hitter and outfielder who has great power, which will be a great addition to our lineup," stated Green.
A four-year letterwinner while playing first base and the outfield at Carmel High School for head coach Ginger Britton, McDonald ranked in the top 30 in the state of Indiana in fielding percentage (10th), home runs (11th), RBIs (20th), batting average (25th), and on-base percentage (30th) last season as a junior.
A three-time Academic All-Conference selection, McDonald played in the All-Star Game at the Colorado Sparkler and the All-American Game at the Colorado Sparkler in the summer of 2021. She also plays club softball for the Indiana Bombers-Poeck.
McDonald comes from an athletic family, as her grandfather Jerry McDonald played football at Bradley University, while her other grandfather Ted Bruington lettered in baseball at Bradley. Her father, Brian McDonald, played football at Eastern Illinois, her uncle Bryon Bruington played baseball at Kaskaskia College, and she has five cousins that have or are currently competing in college athletics.
Sydney Montoya – Castle Rock, Colo. / Douglas County High School
"Sydney is a versatile athlete and can play many positions at a high level," continued Green.
Montoya hails from Castle Rock, Colo., and is a name Chanticleer fans should know, as her sister Abbey Montoya has been on the softball team since 2019. A utility player that can play multiple positions, Montoya is a four-year letterwinner on the diamond for head coach Katherine Drake at Douglas County High School.
Rated as one of the top outfielders for the Class of 2023 by the Colorado Prep Report, the three-year starter, and three-year regional qualifier was named all-state honorable mention last year as a junior. She was also the 2022 Continental League Player of the Year runner-up and earned a spot on the 2022 Continental All-League first team.
She was also named to the 2021 Continental All-League second team and picked up 2020 Continental All-League honorable mention accolades.
Montoya also plays for the Colorado Stars – Sakamoto club team.
A four-year scholar-athlete, Montoya is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, the National Honor Society, and the Honor Roll. Her brother, Jared, played baseball collegiately, while her sister will wrap up her collegiate softball career at CCU this fall.
Brielle Normandin – San Clemente, Calif. / San Clemente High School / JSerra Catholic High School
"Brie is an elite-level middle infielder with all the tools to be successful at the next level," Green commented.
An experienced infielder in her senior season at JSerra Catholic High School this year under head coach Katie Stith, Normandin played three years at San Clemente High School over her freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons.
A member of the Batbusters club team, Normandin is also a member of both the Superintendent's Honor Roll and Principle's Honor Roll, and is an active member of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF). She also earned a Seal of Biliteracy, was nominated as a 2022 invited scholar to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum for Medicine and was selected for the "Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence".
Sara Rollins – Falls Church City, Va. / Meridian High School
"Sara brings positive energy, a solid work ethic, and depth behind the plate for us," commented Green.
A catcher and utility player from Falls Church City, Va., Rollins was a multi-sport letterwinner at Bishop O'Connell High School in softball and volleyball for three years before transferring to Meridian High School for her senior year this year.
A three-year letterwinner in softball, she lined up catcher, second base, and first base, while helping lead her team to a pair of conference, district, and state championship titles in 2021 and 2022.
The two-time all-state selection, picking up first-team honors in 2022 and second-team recognition in 2021, Rollins is also a two-time all-conference and all-district honoree.
A member of the Tri-State Thunder travel team, Rollins played this past summer for Team USA 18U for the International Challenge held in Colorado and was also on the combined USA All-Star team that played in the USA vs. World game.
Rollins is a City Council Student Representative for the Homeless Shelter Board and a Best Buddies and Special Olympics volunteer. She also is a Girl Scouts Brownie Ambassador, earning the Silver Award.
Emma Skovran – Fort Mill, S.C. / Nation Ford High School
"Emma is a speedy outfielder who can put pressure on opposing teams from the left side of the plate and on the bases," said Green.
An outfielder from Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill, S.C., Skovran has lettered for four years on the softball diamond, helping her team win the conference championship in both 2018 and 2019 as a member of the varsity team.
Tabbed the Team's Offensive Player of the Year, Skovran has also been named all-region and all-area first-team by the Rock Hill Herald.
In each of the last two seasons, she has set the Nation Ford softball program record in stolen bases with 21, first in 2021 and then again last year in 2022.
Skovran also plays club softball for the Mojo of the Carolinas club team.
A South Carolina Junior Scholar, she was a member of the Junior Beta Club and is a member of the Honor Roll. Skovran is also a member of the school's Veterinary Science Team, which ranks fourth in the state of South Carolina, and received her Elanco Veterinary Science Certification.
For complete coverage of Coastal Carolina softball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalSoftball (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUSoftball (Facebook), @coastal_softball (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
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