University of North Carolina Athletics
Softball Signs Six For 2010, Adds One For 2009
November 20, 2008 | Softball
Nov. 20, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina softball program has announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period head coach Donna J. Papa announced Wednesday. The six newest Tar Heels will enter school in the fall of 2009 and will begin their college softball careers on the diamond in 2010, while the 2009 Tar Heels will also welcome a newcomer as Ally Blake will be joining Carolina at the beginning of the new semester in January.
"I am really excited about our 2009 recruiting class. This group will make an immediate impact on our program. It is filled with blue chip players from North Carolina , New Jersey, Georgia, and Arizona. They will make an immediate impact on our program as they bring many elements to our program to make it even stronger. We have added tremendous speed and power offensively," head coach Donna J. Papa said.
The six signings for 2010 include Haleigh Dickey of Woodstock, Ga., Elisha Elliot of Clemmons, N.C., Tisha Mahon of Lexington, N.C., Megan Morrison of Tucson, Ariz., Cara Vitale of Wall, N.J. and Paige Williams of Newport, N.C.
Ally Blake hails from Concord, N.C. and will become the first player in school history to enter Carolina directly out of high school as she is scheduled to graduate from Central Cabarrus High School a semester early to join the Tar Heels for the 2009 season. Blake is a 5-8 catcher who bats and throws from the right side. She has been a three-time all-conference and all-district selection. In addition to being named all-state as a freshman and sophomore, she was named the MECA 4A Conference Player of the Year and was honored as a two-time NCHSAA Scholar Athlete. Blake played her summer ball with the Carolina Cobras and the Carolina Legacy.
Haleigh Dickey is a 5-11 third baseman from Woodstock, Ga. She bats and throws from the right side and attended Etowah High School where she garnered first team all-state honors. Dickey has played her summer ball with the Georgia Blitz Gold and will take her services to the Georgia Fire before joining the Tar Heels next fall.
Elisha Elliot is a 5-3 shortstop that hails from Clemmons, N.C. An all-state, all-conference, all-county and all-district selection attended North Davidson High School and plays her club ball with the Shamrocks. Elliot also is a member of the National Honors Society and the A/B Honor Roll.
Tisha Mahon is an outfielder from Lexington, N.C. who stands 5-10 and throws right-handed and bats left-handed. She is a high school All-American as recognized by the National Coaches Association and was named the Most Outstanding Player in the state on the western side. She was also named MVP in the Central Piedmont 4A Conference and helped lead North Davidson to the state final. Mahon is also a member of the A and A/B Honor Roll. She plays her summer ball for the St. Louis Chaos.
Megan Morrison is a 5-9 athlete that can play catcher, at first base or in the outfield. She is from Tucson, Arizona and bats and throws from the right side. Morrison attends Catalina Foothills High School where she is a four-year starting catcher. She was an AIA Scholar Athlete four times during her career and was named to the All-Southern Arizona 4A team in 2007 a year after earning Arizona Daily Star honorable mention plaudits. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and plays her summer ball for the Arizona Hotshots.
Cara Vitale is a 5-9 first baseman from Wall, N.J., where she attends Wall High School. She is a four-year starter, two-time all-shore and all-state selection and is believed to hold the school's home run record in a season of 13. She helped lead Wall to the 2007 NJSIAA State Championship and is a three-time honor roll member. Vitale plays her summer ball with the Gold Coast Hurricanes.
Paige Williams is a 5-10 shortstop from Newport, N.C. where she attends Croatan High School. She was named the 2A District Player of the Year and 2A Eastern Regional Player of the Year as a junior. Williams has earned all-conference honors four times and was named to the all-area team as a junior. Has received the Academic Achievement Award three straight years and is a Beta Club member. Williams plays her summer ball with the Shamrocks.
"Additionally, we have added depth at all positions on the field. I love the character of this group with some good leaders amongst them. They will be fun to coach as there are some dynamic personalities in the group as well. I am thrilled that they will be wearing Carolina Blue for the next four years."
The Tar Heels season is set to get underway Feb. 6 when they face Louisville in Miami, Fla.
