Five Future Tar Heels Sign National Letters of Intent

CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina head softball coach Donna J. Papa announced the addition of five players to the Tar Heels softball team with the signing of National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. Destiny Middleton, Dominique Monteon, Katie Perkins, Alyssa Stanley and Brianna Stubbs will enroll at UNC next year and join the team for the 2020 season.

"Our 2019 class brings some exciting elements to our program," Papa said. "They are a talented, competitive group. All of them have played on travel teams that compete on the national stage, in addition to a player of the year and a couple of state champions. Their skill set will bring us speed, power and some pitching. From a team culture and academic stand point, this group is a great fit. We welcome them to UNC and look forward to seeing them in Carolina Blue."

Name: Destiny Middleton destiny middleton unc softball 2019 signee

Position: Third Base
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown: Forsyth, Georgia
High School: Mary Persons
Travel Team: Atlanta Premier Gold

A four-year letter winner at Mary Persons High School, Destiny Middleton plays shortstop and third base for coach Hannah Grossman. Middleton earned first-team utility and most improved honors as a freshman. The third baseman garnered best all-around honors and was named to the infielder first-team for her sophomore year. In 2017, Middleton was named the Region 2AAAA Defensive Player of the Year and Mary Persons' MVP. Middleton also played third base/shortstop with the Southern Force Martin for coach David Martin. Middleton helped the Southern Force to a pair of third place titles at the 2018 USA Gold Nationals and IDT Boulder Tournament. The infielder guided the team to the 2017 Triple Crown Southeastern championship. The Southern Force competed in Premier Girls Fastpitch and ASA Nationals. She also played in in the Georgia All State games this past weekend.

"Destiny will be an exciting player for us with her speed, strength and game savvy," Papa said. "She fits our style of play offensively both at the plate and on the base paths. Defensively, she is a strong left side player with a quick release, strong throw and good range."

Middleton also competed in track & field at Mary Persons in sprints, sprint relays and long jump. Earning the 2016 scholar-athlete award, She garnered two varsity letters as a freshman and junior.

A Forsyth, Georgia native, Middleton is the daughter of Tamitha and Hollis Middleton III and has two older sisters, Brittany and SaQuasha. Middleton plans to major in exercise and sport science at Carolina.

Name: Dominique Monteon dominque monteon unc softball signee 2019

Position: Utility
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Hollister, California
High School: San Benito
Travel Team: Cal Nuggets

A four-year letter winner at San Benito High School, Dominique Monteon is a middle-infielder for the Haybalers under coach Andrew Barragan. Monteon was named to the all-league second-team once and all-league first-team three times. The two-year captain garnered first-team all-Central Coast section honors twice. The Freshman of the Year, Monteon helped her team to three league championships and a Central Coast section championship in 2016. On the travel ball circuit, Monteon played third base and outfield for the Cal Nuggets under coach Haley Woods. She also spent three seasons with the California Suncats, coached by James Jimenez, where she played second base and outfield.

"Dom has versatility and has had good experience playing in both the infield and outfield," Papa said. "We will be losing three outfielders to graduation, so she will help us with depth in that position. Offensively she provides gap power and the ability to take extra bases with her speed."

A Hollister, California native, Monteon is the daughter of Joe Monteon and Patricia Mottu-Monteon and has an older sister, Amanda. A four-year scholar-athlete, Monteon plans to major in sociology at North Carolina.

Name: Katie Perkins katie perkins unc softball signee 2019

Position: First base/Second base/Outfield
Bats/Throws: L/L
Hometown: Buford, Georgia
High School: Buford
Travel Team: Atlanta Premier – Stewart

A four-year letterwinner at Buford High School, Katie Perkins played first base under head coach Tony Wolfe. Perkins was named a FloSoftball Hot 100 National Class of 2019 Player for four seasons. The three-time regional champion helped her team to two state championships, Class 4-A in 2015 and Class 5-A in 2016, and a Class 5-A third place title in 2017. A four-year starter, Perkins hit .394 overall and .483 (14-for-29) against future NCAA Division I pitchers. Perkins wrapped up her high school career by earning Georgia high school first-team all-region and all-county honors. On the travel circuit, Perkins played for both the Georgia Impact and Atlanta Premier under coach Jon Stewart. The first/second baseman hit .368 in tournaments for Georgia Impact and played on Atlanta Premier with coach Sharon Perkins. Perkins plays basketball at Buford as well. Perkins is also active in student leadership positions as the HOSA secretary, SkillsUSA vice president and a member of the Buford Student Leadership Council. A member of National Honor Society and the 2018 softball scholar-athlete award winner, Perkins plans to major in exercise and sport science

"Katie has played on a very strong high school team with a tradition of winning state championships," Papa said. "She brings a strong left handed bat to our lineup. Katie will help us strengthen our defense on both the infield and in the outfield, with the departure of three senior outfielders. Katie has a very good softball IQ as she has grown up around college softball. She is very well-rounded as a student leader."

A Buford, Georgia native, Perkins is the daughter of Cris and Sharon and has a younger brother, Nick. Mother, Sharon, played softball was a three-time Southland Conference champion at Nicholls State. She was also a three-time ACC Coach of the Year at Georgia Tech after coaching stints at Southern Miss and Georgia.

Name: Alyssa Stanle alyssa stanley unc softball signee 2019

y
Position: Pitcher/First base
Bats/Throws: L/L
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
High School: Shadow Ridge
Travel Team: Las Vegas Rag Julia 18

A two-year letterwinner at Shadow Ridge High School, Alyssa (Buggie) Stanley is a pitcher and first baseman for coach Julia Meyn. Stanley was named to the All-Northwest League second-team in 2017 and first-team in 2018. She helped her team to a regional championship in 2018. Stanley also played travel ball on the Las Vegas Rage Julia 18 for Meyn.

"Alyssa, Buggie, will be a powerful force at the plate for us," Papa said. "She is a power hitter with a strong bat, giving us the opportunity to increase our offensive output. She will give us depth at pitching and in the infield as a corner player."

A Las Vegas, Nevada native, Stanley is the daughter of Willie and Christy Stanley and has two sisters, Nicole and Savannah. Stanley plans to major in business and marketing at UNC.

Name: Brianna Stubbs brianna stubbs unc softball signee 2019

Position: Outfield/Utility
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown: Canton, Georgia
High School: Creekview
Travel Team: Georgia Academy Power

A four-year letterwinner at Creekview High School, Brianna Stubbs is an outfielder and utility player for the Grizzlies. Stubbs began her high school career as the Creekview Softball Player of the Year. The three-time first-team All-Region and All-County selection helped her team to a regional championship and was the state runner-up as a sophomore. The two-time first-team all-state selection led the Grizzlies to a regional runner-up finish and a Georgia State Championship as a junior. With 55 hits, Stubbs hit .515 with a .574 on-base percentage en route to the high school state championship. On the travel ball circuit, Stubbs played for the Georgia Academy Power – DeMarini Gold under coach Jose Tuñón. During her first season with the team, Stubbs was named the Defensive Player of the Year and earned the Stephanie Phillips Award, representing commitment. The following season, Stubbs was named Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year and played in Champions Showcase All-Star Game in 2016. The past two seasons, Stubbs was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018 for the Georgia Academy Power.

"Bri is an exciting player to watch," Papa said. "Offensively, she can hit with power and slap from the left side as well as drop down a soft bunt. Her speed is an asset allowing her to run the bases aggressively. Defensively, she moves well in the outfield with great reads and range. She will help us solidify the outfield as three seniors outfielders will be graduating."

A Canton, Georgia native, Stubbs is the daughter of Michael and Gladys Stubbs and has two siblings, Ryan and Kaylee. Stubbs plans to major in exercise and sport science.

Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.

Scoreboard Slider

University of North Carolina Athletics

Related News

Related Videos