BANNER ELK, N.C. – The Lees-McRae Head Women's Soccer Coach
Cally Morrill announces the addition of 16 newcomers to the 2021 recruiting class. The newest group of Bobcats include
Sam Ammann (Fort Mill, South Carolina),
Dahlia Bell (Rock Hill, South Carolina),
Ivy Cagno (Burlington, North Carolina),
Maddie Campo (Chesterfield, Virginia),
Haile Desmarais (Raleigh, North Carolina),
Kylie Dobbins (Waxhaw, North Carolina),
Kennedy Freeman (Fruit Heights City, Utah),
Shannon Herrera (Lenoir, North Carolina),
Elizabeth Hyatt (Waxhaw, North Carolina),
Haley Lowman (Connelly Springs, North Carolina),
Priscilla Mawi (Greenville, South Carolina),
Gwen O'Brien (Newport, North Carolina),
Sierra Shuey (Louisburg, North Carolina),
Kat Stiles (Raleigh, North Carolina),
Katie Wade (Soddy Daisy, Tennessee), and
Kalee Wiltshire (Leland, North Carolina).
"For the last 18 months, the program has intentionally identified the members of the incoming class as key players to continue our success moving into the future," said Morrill. "The culture of our current team has attracted incredibly talented young women that will make impacts both on and off the field. We look forward to their arrival on campus in August and continuing to build on the relationships with both themselves and their families."
Sam Ammann (Fort Mill, South Carolina / Indian Land High School)
Freshman | Defender
Ammann comes to Banner Elk from Indian Land High School, where she was a four-year varsity player, while also competing for the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club. In addition to earning Offensive Most Valuable Player honors based on her success on the field, Ammann found success in the classroom by graduating with honors and being a member of the National Honor Society, Beta National Club, and the editor and chief for the yearbook.
Dahlia Bell (Rock Hill, South Carolina / Rock Hill High School)
Freshman | Defender
Bell joins the Bobcats as a two-time South Carolina state champion, All-Region 4-5A, and All-Area First-Team member from Rock Hill High School. In addition to competing for her high school program, Bell also played for the Discoveries and Charlotte Independence Soccer Club. Her success on the field translated in the classroom as she graduated with a high GPA while taking both honors classes and dual enrollment classes.
Ivy Cagno (Burlington, North Carolina / Southern Alamance High School)
Freshman | Forward
Cagno comes to the mountains from Burlington, North Carolina as a two-time All-Conference and All-Region honoree who won the Most Offensive Player Award for the 2019 season. In addition to playing for her high school program, Cagno also competed for the North Carolina Fusion club team. Her success on the field mirrored her success in the classroom as she was a member of the National Honor Society and was a Student Council representative.
Maddie Campo (Chesterfield, Virginia / The Math and Science High School at Clover Hill)
Freshman | Goalkeeper
Campo joins the women's soccer program as a three-year member and two-year captain of her Clover High School team and competed for both the Richmond Strikers Elite and Washington Spirit Developmental Academy teams. In addition to her success on the field for her programs, Campo found success in the classroom as she was a member of the National Honor Society, President of the Student Council Association, and started Clover Hill High School Allies Club for the LGBTQ+ community.
Haile Desmarais (Raleigh, North Carolina / Millbrook High School)
Freshman | Goalkeeper
Desmarais comes to Lees-McRae from Millbrook High School, where she lead her team to a second-place finish in the North Carolinas State Cup. In addition to being named an Academic All-Conference honoree for her high school team, Desmarais also competed for the North Carolina Football Club team. The success she found on the field translated to the classroom as she was a member of the A/B Honor Roll for multiple years and the National Honor Society.
Kylie Dobbins (Waxhaw, North Carolina / Parkwood High School)
Freshman | Midfielder
Dobbins comes to the mountains as a four-year varsity player for the Parkwood High School program, while also competing for the FC Carolinas team. In addition to her achievements on the field, Dobbins met the academic bar in honors classes all four years, was a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society, completed multiple AP classes, and was a member of Student Council.
Kennedy Freeman (Fruit Heights City, Utah / Mooresville High School)
Freshman | Forward
Freeman comes to the women's soccer program as a former Defensive Most Valuable Player and Varsity Award winner who competed for both the Farmington and Mooresville High School teams. In addition to competing for her high school teams, Freeman also played for the Laroca and Charlotte Independence club teams. Her leadership on the field translated off the field as she was the Ping Pong Club Captain.
Shannon Herrera (Lenoir, North Carolina / Hibriten High School)
Freshman | Defender
Herrera joins the Bobcats from Hibriten High School, where she was a dual-sport athlete as a defender on the women's soccer team that won the Northwestern Foothills 2A Conference in 2018 and made Regionals as a member of the 4x400-relay team for the track & field team. She also found success in the classroom as she won the Academic Excellence Award and was a Junior Marshall in 2020.
Elizabeth Hyatt (Waxhaw, North Carolinas / Parkwood High School)
Freshman | Defender
Hyatt comes to Banner Elk as a four-year varsity soccer player from Parkwood High School and a member of the FC Carolina team. In addition to the success she found on the pitch, Hyatt was a member of the Beta and Key Clubs, as well as achieving AB Honor Roll status and earning an academic and athletic letter in each of her four years at Parkwood.
Haley Lowman (Connelly Springs, North Carolina / Jimmy C. Draughn High School)
Freshman | Forward
Lowman comes to Lees-McRae as a former All-Conference and All-Region honoree from Jimmy C. Draughn High School, while also being a part of the Catawba Valley Youth Soccer Association. In addition to being named a Player of the Week by the Farm Bureau during the 2018-19 year, Lowman was a member of the Anchor Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and the Future Health Professionals clubs.
Priscilla Mawi (Greenville, South Carolina / Wade Hampton High School)
Freshman | Midfielder
Mawi joins the Bobcats as a midfielder for both her Wade Hampton High School and Carolina Football Club teams. In addition to the success she found on the field with both of her teams, Mawi achieved success in the classroom as well by being a member of both the Beta Club and the National Honor Society and completing multiple AP courses.
Gwen O'Brien (Newport, North Carolina / Croatan High School)
Freshman | Forward
O'Brien comes to Banner Elk from Croatan High School, where she was an All-Conference performer while leading her team to a second-place finish in the South Carolina State Tournament. She also was a forward on the Wilmington Hammerheads club soccer team. In addition to her success on the pitch, O'Brien was a track & field state champion and earned the Track & Field Most Valuable Player Award. She also found success in the classroom as she was an honor roll student and claimed the Senior Academic Award.
Sierra Shuey (Louisburg, North Carolina / Thales Academy-Rolesville)
Freshman | Defender
Shuey comes to Lees-McRae as a former Conference Player of the Year and Most Impactful/Valuable Player Award from Thales Academy-Rolesville. In addition to being the team captain on her high school team, Shuey competed for the North Carolinas Football Club team. Her success on the field translated off the field as she was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and History Club, while also winning the Thales Academy Truth Seeker Award.
Kat Stiles (Raleigh, North Carolina / Millbrook High School)
Freshman | Defender
Stiles joins the Bobcats as a defender on both her Millbrook High School and Premier UK club teams. In addition to her success on the field for both of her teams, Stiles also garnered Academic All-Conference honors and was a member of the National Honor Society, the Latin Honor Society, Latin Club, and was a member of the Future Farmers of America.
Katie Wade (Soddy Daisy, Tennessee / Soddy Daisy High School)
Freshman | Defender
Wade comes to the mountains as a former team captain, Rookie of the Year, and defensive award winner from Soddy Daisy High School. In addition to playing for her high school team, Wade also competed for the Chattanooga club team in the CFC. Her success on the pitch translated off the field as she was a member of the National Art Society and National Math Society, while also holding the highest GPA, at the Darlington School Soccer Academy.
Kalee Wiltshire (Leland, North Carolina / North Brunswick High School)
Freshman | Defender
Wiltshire joins the Bobcats as a All-Conference performer, three-year varsity captain, and travel team captain from North Brunswick High School. In addition to competing for North Brunswick, Wiltshire was also a member of the Wilmington Hammerheads club team. The success she found on the field mirrored her success in the classroom as she was a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club, while also being an honor roll and AP student.
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