Vesely Signs New Student-Athletes to NLIs
11/15/2020 9:56:00 AM | Softball
2021 class features well-rounded talent and depth
HOUSTON – With the departure of a strong senior class this upcoming season, University of Houston Softball Head Coach Kristin Vesely has signed National Letters of Intent for the 2021 class.
"We have been waiting for this class," Vesely said. "They represent everything we instill in our Houston culture: competitiveness, athleticism and their hunger to win is unmatched. The players in this class will leave their names in the record books when their time is done here. They are the faces of our future and will be one of the most accomplished classes."
Below is a breakdown of each player signed, as well as an in-depth look at how Vesely believes each one will contribute to the program.
EMMA ROBERTSON
Utility
Forth Worth, Texas
Boswell HS
VESELY ON ROBERTSON
Emma has tremendous power and ability to change the game with one swing. Her will to win and drive to be the best is going to be a continued trait for the program. We are excited about her versatility defensively and expect to see her throwing some runners out, whether it's behind the plate or from the outfield.
HIGH SCHOOL
Led Boswell high school to a 70-15 record in her first three years competing for the Pioneers … Won back-to-back district championships from 2018-19 … Won an area championship in 2019 … A two-time First Team All-District honoree … Named the 2018 District Newcomer of the Year … Awarded to the 2019 All-Area Team.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Jerry and Stacey Robertson … Has two older brothers, Jerry and Joel … Majoring in business … Says her parents are her biggest influence ... A member of Boswell's Principal's Cabinet … Aspires to become a coach or a teacher … Enjoys working out, photography and hanging out with friends.
BAYLEA MYERS
Infield
Keller, Texas
Timber Creek HS
VESELY ON MYERS
Baylea offers us the flexibility to play her at multiple defensive spots. She will primarily be in the infield and add depth to the outfield. We are excited to get her and the ability she brings to play wherever she is needed.
HIGH SCHOOL
Led the Falcons to an Area Finals appearance in 2018, after posting a 20-10 record her freshman campaign … Two-time Academic All-District honoree … Earned Second Team All-District.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Todd and Nancy Myers … Has a younger sibling, Austin … Majoring in elementary education … Lists her parents as her biggest influence … Aspires to become an elementary school teacher … Involved in the Texas Association of Future Educators … Volunteers as a theater usher … Involved in her local church … Enjoys Pinterest DIY projects and her puppies.
CARISSA VILLARREAL
Infield
Spring, Texas
Grand Oaks HS
VESELY ON VILLARREAL
Carissa will be adding another strong bat to the program. She has continued to develop into a powerful hitter with the ability to hit for average as well. We are excited to watch her continue to develop and reach her full potential.
HIGH SCHOOL
A member of back-to-back undefeated seasons from 2018-19 … Displayed her strength in the classroom, earning an academic All-District accolade.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Chris and Rosalinda Villarreal … Has an older brother, Justin … Lists her dad as her biggest influence … Aspires to have a career in business … Says losing everything during Hurricane Harvey and being out of her house for six months made her stronger and humbled her … Member of the high school Honor Roll … Volunteers for Meals on Wheels … Enjoys softball and taking pictures.
JA'NAIYA THOMAS
Infield
Houston
Cypress Creek HS
VESELY ON THOMAS
Ja'Naiya has a great mix of speed and power. She has the ability to change the game with her short game, standing in to hit and with her extremely aggressive base running. We have very high expectations set for her as she comes in ranked inside the Top-20 nationally for the past three years. We are excited to see her natural ability continue to develop into a record-breaking Cougar.
HIGH SCHOOL
Ranked as the No. 12 recruit in the country according to Extra Inning Softball … Led the Cougars to a district championship in 2018 … Earned Newcomer of the Year in 2018 … Named Second Team All-State in 2018 … Awarded First Team All-District in 2019… A two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Cedric and Vermella Thomas … Has one sibling, Jemiah … Says her parents are her biggest influence … Aspires to become a college coach or a physical therapist … Enjoys dancing and drawing.
KYLEE GIBSON
Infield
Houston, Texas
Bridgeland HS
VESELY ON GIBSON
Kylee is a versatile fielder with the ability to play any infield spot. She is athletic and well-rounded with a really quick transfer. We are excited to get her in the weight room and see how quick she can grow offensively working with Coach Elkins.
HIGH SCHOOL
A top-100 recruit in the country according to Extra Inning Softball … Named the 14-6A Newcomer of the Year, while also earning Defensive MVP honors for her high school … Compiled a .434 batting average across two seasons … Put her power on display with 20 doubles during her sophomore campaign.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Joe and Audri Gibson … Has two sisters, Mariah and Alyssa … Plans to major in psychology … Aspires to become a physical therapist … Says her mom is her biggest influence … Volunteers at the Down Syndrome Association of Houston … Enjoys drawing and juggling in her free time.
HANNAH BLINCOE
Pitcher
Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown HS
VESELY ON BLINCOE
We are really excited to add another pitcher to our staff that complements the team. Hannah is a competitor, athletic and brings a much-needed dynamic to our pitching staff. We cannot wait to get her working with Coach Waldrop and see her in the circle.
HIGH SCHOOL
Began her high school career with back-to-back district championship appearances, which included advancing to the fourth round of playoffs in 2019 … Posted a 2019 season that saw her surpass the 200-strikeout plateau … Collected Pitcher of the Year accolade, along with an MVP award … A student in the classroom, earning an Academic All-District honor … Also competed for her school's volleyball team in 2017.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Robbie and Amber Blincoe … Has two siblings, Cyenna and McKenna … Plans to major in entrepreneurship with career aspirations to open a boutique … Lists her parents as her biggest influence … Volunteers as a coach at GYGSA … Enjoys making bracelets in her free time.
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"We have been waiting for this class," Vesely said. "They represent everything we instill in our Houston culture: competitiveness, athleticism and their hunger to win is unmatched. The players in this class will leave their names in the record books when their time is done here. They are the faces of our future and will be one of the most accomplished classes."
Below is a breakdown of each player signed, as well as an in-depth look at how Vesely believes each one will contribute to the program.
Utility
Forth Worth, Texas
Boswell HS
VESELY ON ROBERTSON
Emma has tremendous power and ability to change the game with one swing. Her will to win and drive to be the best is going to be a continued trait for the program. We are excited about her versatility defensively and expect to see her throwing some runners out, whether it's behind the plate or from the outfield.
HIGH SCHOOL
Led Boswell high school to a 70-15 record in her first three years competing for the Pioneers … Won back-to-back district championships from 2018-19 … Won an area championship in 2019 … A two-time First Team All-District honoree … Named the 2018 District Newcomer of the Year … Awarded to the 2019 All-Area Team.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Jerry and Stacey Robertson … Has two older brothers, Jerry and Joel … Majoring in business … Says her parents are her biggest influence ... A member of Boswell's Principal's Cabinet … Aspires to become a coach or a teacher … Enjoys working out, photography and hanging out with friends.
BAYLEA MYERS
Infield
Keller, Texas
Timber Creek HS
VESELY ON MYERS
Baylea offers us the flexibility to play her at multiple defensive spots. She will primarily be in the infield and add depth to the outfield. We are excited to get her and the ability she brings to play wherever she is needed.
HIGH SCHOOL
Led the Falcons to an Area Finals appearance in 2018, after posting a 20-10 record her freshman campaign … Two-time Academic All-District honoree … Earned Second Team All-District.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Todd and Nancy Myers … Has a younger sibling, Austin … Majoring in elementary education … Lists her parents as her biggest influence … Aspires to become an elementary school teacher … Involved in the Texas Association of Future Educators … Volunteers as a theater usher … Involved in her local church … Enjoys Pinterest DIY projects and her puppies.
CARISSA VILLARREAL
Infield
Spring, Texas
Grand Oaks HS
VESELY ON VILLARREAL
Carissa will be adding another strong bat to the program. She has continued to develop into a powerful hitter with the ability to hit for average as well. We are excited to watch her continue to develop and reach her full potential.
HIGH SCHOOL
A member of back-to-back undefeated seasons from 2018-19 … Displayed her strength in the classroom, earning an academic All-District accolade.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Chris and Rosalinda Villarreal … Has an older brother, Justin … Lists her dad as her biggest influence … Aspires to have a career in business … Says losing everything during Hurricane Harvey and being out of her house for six months made her stronger and humbled her … Member of the high school Honor Roll … Volunteers for Meals on Wheels … Enjoys softball and taking pictures.
JA'NAIYA THOMAS
Infield
Houston
Cypress Creek HS
VESELY ON THOMAS
Ja'Naiya has a great mix of speed and power. She has the ability to change the game with her short game, standing in to hit and with her extremely aggressive base running. We have very high expectations set for her as she comes in ranked inside the Top-20 nationally for the past three years. We are excited to see her natural ability continue to develop into a record-breaking Cougar.
HIGH SCHOOL
Ranked as the No. 12 recruit in the country according to Extra Inning Softball … Led the Cougars to a district championship in 2018 … Earned Newcomer of the Year in 2018 … Named Second Team All-State in 2018 … Awarded First Team All-District in 2019… A two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Cedric and Vermella Thomas … Has one sibling, Jemiah … Says her parents are her biggest influence … Aspires to become a college coach or a physical therapist … Enjoys dancing and drawing.
KYLEE GIBSON
Infield
Houston, Texas
Bridgeland HS
VESELY ON GIBSON
Kylee is a versatile fielder with the ability to play any infield spot. She is athletic and well-rounded with a really quick transfer. We are excited to get her in the weight room and see how quick she can grow offensively working with Coach Elkins.
HIGH SCHOOL
A top-100 recruit in the country according to Extra Inning Softball … Named the 14-6A Newcomer of the Year, while also earning Defensive MVP honors for her high school … Compiled a .434 batting average across two seasons … Put her power on display with 20 doubles during her sophomore campaign.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Joe and Audri Gibson … Has two sisters, Mariah and Alyssa … Plans to major in psychology … Aspires to become a physical therapist … Says her mom is her biggest influence … Volunteers at the Down Syndrome Association of Houston … Enjoys drawing and juggling in her free time.
HANNAH BLINCOE
Pitcher
Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown HS
VESELY ON BLINCOE
We are really excited to add another pitcher to our staff that complements the team. Hannah is a competitor, athletic and brings a much-needed dynamic to our pitching staff. We cannot wait to get her working with Coach Waldrop and see her in the circle.
HIGH SCHOOL
Began her high school career with back-to-back district championship appearances, which included advancing to the fourth round of playoffs in 2019 … Posted a 2019 season that saw her surpass the 200-strikeout plateau … Collected Pitcher of the Year accolade, along with an MVP award … A student in the classroom, earning an Academic All-District honor … Also competed for her school's volleyball team in 2017.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Robbie and Amber Blincoe … Has two siblings, Cyenna and McKenna … Plans to major in entrepreneurship with career aspirations to open a boutique … Lists her parents as her biggest influence … Volunteers as a coach at GYGSA … Enjoys making bracelets in her free time.
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH. For more information, Click Here.
– UHCougars.com –
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