University of North Carolina Athletics
Around the Horn: Outfield Preview
February 3, 2016 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – The Tar Heels have a depth of talent in the outfield, with six student-athletes vying for the three starting roles. Carolina returns senior Aquilla Mateen, who started every game in center field in 2015, as well as junior Tracy Chandless and sophomore Dani Garcielita, who split time in left field last season. Kendra Lynch, who started 44 games in right field last year, will focus her efforts on pitching this season, which opens the door to freshmen Kiana Sherlund and Destiny DeBerry, while senior Elly Wagner will compete for playing time in the outfield as well.
Head Coach Donna J. Papa on the outfield:
“The 2016 Tar Heel outfield will be exciting and fun to watch. Foot speed, strong arms and aggressive play will define them defensively. This is a fun and competitive group of athletes to coach. The outfield returns experience and leadership and will be anchored by veteran centerfielder Aquilla (Kiwi) Mateen. Sophomore Dani Garcielita and senior Tracy Chandless each have in-game experience from last season and will contribute to this defensive unit.
“Senior Elly Wagner's arm is a weapon for the outfield. We have two newcomers, freshmen Kiana Sherlund and Destiny DeBerry, who have great range and speed in the outfield, and I look forward to seeing them develop throughout the upcoming season. Overall they are a very versatile group.”
Aquilla Mateen – Sr. – L/R – Siler City, N.C.
- 2014 All-ACC Second Team
- 2014 All-ACC Tournament Team
- Started all 53 games in center field last season, ranking second on the team in hits (63) and third in batting average (.373).
- Currently ranks third all time with a career .380 batting average, posting the fourth-highest single-season average ever in 2014 when she hit .412.
- A speed demon on the basepaths, Mateen is in the top 10 all time in career stolen bases, having swiped 44 on 53 attempts, while adding seven career triples.
Tracy Chandless – Sr. – R/R – Canyon Country, Calif.
- Started 23 games in left field and five in right last season as a junior, appearing in a total of 35 games for the Tar Heels.
- Nine of her 14 hits in 2015 went for extra bases, totaling six home runs, 21 RBIs and slugging .486.
- Drew 13 walks for a .326 on-base percentage as a junior.
- Played third base in her first two seasons before moving to the outfield as a junior.
- Has appeared in 92 career games for the Tar Heels, making 58 starts.
Dani Garcielita – So. – L/R – Whittier, Calif.
- Appeared in 45 games as freshman, making 21 starts in left field.
- Collected eight hits and seven walks in 42 at-bats, posting a .306 on-base percentage.
- A speed threat on the basepaths, she tallied 18 runs and three stolen bases.
Kiana Sherlund – Fr. – L/R – Fairfax, Va. – Fairfax High School
- 2014 USA Today First Team All-American
- 2014 First-Team All-Metropolitan Area
- 2014 first-team all-state, all-region and all-conference.
- Ranked No. 24 on the list of Full Count Softball/Flo Softball “Hot 100 2015s”
- Batted .630 with five home runs, 26 stolen bases and 39 runs scored as a junior at Fairfax High School.
- Missed her senior season due to surgery for a torn labrum, but has fully recovered and is expected to compete for a starting role in her rookie season.
