VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State soccer program and Head Coach
Rebecca Nolin are pleased to announce the 2016 signing class this week. The newcomers include eleven players, each of which are expected to be exciting additions to the new season's roster.
"I'm very excited to bring this 2016 class in," stated Head Coach
Rebecca Nolin on Wednesday. "We have a mixture of true freshmen and junior college transfers, and they have very good soccer brains, are technical, fast, athletic, determined, fit, and they have character. This group has the ability to be something very special in the future."
This year's signing class consists of eight Florida natives and four from the state of Georgia. The new recruits make up a bevy of versatile players who are capable of filling roles at both the midfielder and defender positions. The groups' skillset is also expected to bolster the Blazer offensive attack.
"I believe these young ladies are thre right fit for this program both in the classroom and on the pitch," added Nolin. "They're motivated, driven and very enthusiastic. They know it will be hard, but they also know that they have enough time between now and August to get themselves physically and mentally in the right frame of mind as they prepare to enter college. The returning group of players have been working hard this spring and have set the level for the upcoming season. Between the great core group of players and the addition of this class, I can not waith to get started!"
A list of the new signees is available below, and will be updated if and when new additions are announced.
2016 VSU Soccer Recruiting Class: Zhanee Anderson
Position: Outside Back
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Previous School: St. Johns Country Day
Experience: Florida Elite Soccer Academy
PRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Served as a four year starter at St. Johns, and led the team as a captain for two seasons... Won three state championships, three region championships, and four district championships...ZHANEE'S COMMENT ON VSU: "I chose VSU because it's an awesome school, and the program is exactly the right fit for me!" Tessa Bates
Position: Center Back
Class: Junior
Hometown: Orange Park, Fla.
Previous School: Andrew College
Club: Westside Soccer Club
PRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Earned Most Valuable Defender honors during junior season... Made a Florida State Cup Sweet Sixteen appearance with Westside Soccer Club during final year...TESSA'S QUOTE ON VSU: "I chose VSU for their beautiful campus and the soccer program seems like the right fit for me!" Brittney Benedict
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Palm Beach, Fla.
Previous School: Park Vista HS
Club: Team Boca
PRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Two-year captain for Team Boca... Tallied 40 goals and 46 assists during high school career at Park Vista... Served as team co-captain during senior year, and earned Second Team All-Conference honors during junior season... Member of National Technical Honor Society and HOSA...BRITTNEY'S QUOTE ON VSU: "I chose VSU because I wanted to further my soccer career, and I know I can reach my full potential at VSU. After my first visit on campus, I felt so welcomed by the coaching staff and players, and I was surrounded by a beautiful campus. I am excited to be challenged on and off the field, and I can't wait to grow as both a student and a player!"Ilaria "Yaya" Berni
Position: Midfielder
Class: Junior
Hometown: Coconut Creek, Fla.
Previous School: Andrew College
Club: Boca United
PRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: As a 4.0 student at Andrew College, served as the leading scorer in both 2014 and 2015 seasons... Named Second Team All-Conference in 2015, and earned NSCAA Scholar First Team All-American honors in 2015...ILARIA'S QUOTE ON VSU: "I chose VSU because I am ready to be part of something great, and I knew from the moment I met Coach Becks and the team that Valdosta State was it." Haleigh Carr
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Alpharetta, Ga.
Previous School: Cambridge HS
Club: UFA Norcross PremierPRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Served as a member of the top Athena A team of Norcross UFA... Won Division during senior season with a perfect 11-0 record...HALEIGH'S QUOTE ON VSU: "I chose VSU because of the coaching staff and the programs offered by the school."Stephanie Fox
Position: MidfielderClass: Freshman
Hometown: Marietta, Ga.Previous School: Pope HS Club: Tophat/Concorde FirePRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Disney Showcase Champion in 2013... Georgia State Cup Finalist in 2013-14... Won Bronze Medal ODP National Championships and Region Pool in 2014...STEPHANIE'S QUOTE ON VSU: "I chose VSU because of its beautiful campus and its super friendly environment. Also, I absolutely love the girls on the team, and I can't wait to play the possession style soccer that Coach Becks has developed! GO BLAZERS!"Morgan Haase
Position: DefenderClass: Freshman
Hometown: Sharpsburg, Ga.Previous School: East Coweta HS Club: Southern Soccer Academy Elite 98PRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Served as a member of the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy and the National Honor Society... A member of the East Coweta team that advanced to the sweet sixteen in the GHSA 6A State Championship in 2015 and the Final Four in 2014... Named All-Region and All-County in 2015... Led team with 21 goals during senior season... Scored seven goals during sophomore season to earn All-County honors, and added eight goals during freshman season... Also was a starter for East Coweta's varsity basketball team during 2015-16 season... Starter for Southern Soccer Academy 98 Elite team that qualified for Regional Premier League play during last four seasons and finished as Georgia State Cup finalists in 2013 and 2015... Advanced to the quarterfinalist round in USYS Region II Championships in 2013...MORGAN'S QUOTE ON VSU: "The first time I visited campus, I knew this was the place for me to continue learning in the classroom and growing on the field. The deciding factor was Coach Becks, her staff, and the team. I can't wait to start my career at Valdosta State. Go Blazers!"Grace Jackson
Position: DefenderClass: Freshman
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Previous School: Lake Howell HS Club: Florida Krush Kraze
PRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Won third place at State Cup as a Florida Krush Kraze member...GRACE'S QUOTE ON VSU: "I chose Valdosta State because of how Coach Becks had coached us. Also, I loved the way that the team played and playing with them would be a privilege."Liz Lott
Position: Defender/MidfielderClass: Freshman
Hometown: Valdosta, Ga.
Previous School: Lowndes HS Club: Concorde Fire/ UFA/ ODPPRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Won third place at State Cup as a Florida Krush Kraze member...Accomplished most goals scored sophomore year...Awarded two bronze medal ODP National Championships...Selected on Region Team and Region Pool 2015...LIZ'S QUOTE ON VSU: "I chose Valdosta State because I think it will be a good environment for me and I love all the girls already and I wanted to stay close to home. I wanted to play for Coach Becks and a possession oriented Coach."Sabrina Magno
Position: DefenderClass: Junior
Hometown: Lake Mary, Fla.Previous School: Nova Southeastern
PRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Appeared in four matches and 47 minutes during 2014 season...Season high of 25 minutes came in the finale vs. Florida Memorial (9/23)...Had a shot in the win over Flagler (9/7) among her 19 minutes on the pitch... Played four years of soccer for head coach Bill Eissele at Lake Mary High…Was named team MVP and to both the All-Seminole Team and Orange County All-Star Team…Won both the Julie Weber Memorial Scholarship and Tracy Rupp Memorial Scholarship, each for leadership, soccer, community, team spirit and academics…Was a member of the National Honor Society and was on the Dean's list.Megan Muffley
Position: Center Back/ Center MidClass: Freshman
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Previous School: Mandarin HS Club: Florida Elite 97/98 Girls Elite
PRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Participated in and won the IMG Showcase Championship...Named team Captain for high school and club teams...Finalist of the Region 3 Premiere League...Awarded the Florida State Invitational Championship...Member of the CASL Showcase Championship team...Won the Nike Cup Championship... MEGAN'S QUOTE ON VSU: "I chose Valdosta State because I wanted a challenge. I want to push myself to become a better person and a better soccer player and I believe I can accomplish this through attending the beautiful Valdosta State University. I also chose VSU because they have my desired major of interior design, and I couldn't see myself as not being a part of this team. The coaching staff is incredible and most of all, VSU just feels like home."Riley Tennant
Position: Center Midfield/ ForwardClass: Freshman
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Previous School: St. Thomas Aquinas HS Club: Team Boca 97/98 Girls White
PRIOR TO VALDOSTA STATE: Member of back-to-back high school championships in 2013-14 and 2014-15.... Ranked National Champions for 2014-15 season....RILEY'S QUOTE ON VSU: "I chose VSU for many reasons. Some being for the school size, the many programs they offer, and the welcoming feeling you get walking on campus. After meeting some of the players and the coaches, I felt very welcomed to their team and knew this was the place where I wanted to play. I can't wait to soon call myself a Blazer!"
