Six Future Tar Heels Sign National Letters of Intent

CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina head softball coach Donna J. Papa announced the addition of six future Tar Heels with the signing of National Letters of Intent. Alex Brown, Annie Kate Dalton, Isabela Emerling, Carlie Myrtle, Shelby Sykora and Regan Weisner will join Carolina for the 2022 season.

"Our 2021 class will be one to be watched," Papa said. "We have added a number of power hitters, some speed, pitching and catching. Offensively, we are adding more firepower with some homerun type hitters. We are solidifying our battery adding a pitcher and catchers. We have gotten to know this class in a different way than previous classes through Zoom. We know more about this class than we would have in a normal-type year. My staff and I have enjoyed getting to see different sides of their personalities and their creativity. Academically, this class is very talented in the classroom. They model what we have been building our culture to be. They are a great fit for our program and will be great teammates for Carolina Softball. I am excited to welcome them officially as Tar Heels."

Name: Alex Brown
Position: Middle infield/Utility
Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Guyton, Georgia
High School: South Effingham HS
Travel Team: GA Power

A four-year letterwinner at South Effingham High School, Alex Brown played shortstop for coach Jessica Evans. A four-time first-team all-region honoree, Brown was named first-team all-state as a sophomore en route to South Effingham's fifth place finish at the 2018 GHSA State Championships. The 2020 Region 2-AAAAA Player of the Year, Brown is a three-time first-team all-greater Savannah honoree. Brown wrapped up her high school career as an Elite 8 honoree and Georgia Dugout Club all-state first-team selection. Brown is also a three-year letterwinner in track & field at South Effingham, competing in the high jump and sprints events. The 2019 Region 2-AAAAA champion in the 200-meter dash also placed sixth at the GHSA State Championship in the high jump. Brown owns a personal best of 5-2 in the high jump in 2020 prior to the season being canceled due to COVID-19. On the travel ball circuit, Brown is a middle-infielder for the GA Power with coaches Jay Worley and Scott Pisciotta. A member of the team for four years, Brown helped her team to a third-place finish at the Junior Olympic Cup in 2019.

"Alex is a versatile infielder that fits well into our offensive philosophy as a left handed hitter and slapper," Papa said. "She will help solidify our middle infield. Alex is also a member of her HS track team. Her outstanding speed and base stealing ability will fit perfectly into our base running mindset. We are thrilled to welcome Alex and her family to our Tar Heel Softball family."

A Guyton, Georgia native, Brown is the daughter of Lynn and Kevin, and has an older brother KC. Father, Kevin, played baseball at Middle Georgia State College and Armstrong State University. Brother, KC, also played baseball at South Georgia State College and Georgia College and State University. Brown is involved in the Interact and Beta clibs and is a member of the wind ensemble and Mustang mentor program. Earning the Georgia Certificate of Merit and a member of National Honor Society, Brown plans to major in business administration.

"I knew I wanted to go to North Carolina from the very moment I stepped on the field," Brown said. "UNC has everything I am looking for with softball and academics. There is something special about Chapel Hill."

Name: Annie Kate Dalton
Position: Catcher/Utility
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-5
Hometown: Murphy, N.C.
High School: Murphy HS
Travel Team: Georgia Impact

A two-year letterwinner at Murphy High School, Annie Kate Dalton is a catcher/third baseman for coach Thomas Nelson. Before COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season, Dalton earned all-district and all-state honors in 2018 and 2019. A two-time Smoky Mountain Conference offensive player of the year, Dalton was the home run leader for western North Carolina as a freshman. Dalton played travel softball for Georgia Impact under coach Patrick Lewis. A football letterwinner as a kicker, Dalton helped Murphy High School to a state title in 2018.

"Annie Kate will bring some needed depth to our catching position," Papa said. "She has a calm personality which will help with game management. Offensively, Annie Kate will add some gap power and additional pop to our lineup to help advance the speed we currently have. Annie Kate has competed for the Georgia Impact organization where she has played in numerous competitive tournaments. We are excited to add another North Carolinian to the roster and officially welcome her entire family to Chapel Hill."

A Murphy, North Carolina native, Dalton is the daughter of Jeremy and Jenny Dalton, and has a younger sister, Piper Jane. A North Carolina Scholar is a Junior Marshal and a member of the Beta Club. Ranked sixth in her graduating class at Murphy, Dalton plans to study nursing and communication.

"Academics have always been very important to me," Dalton said. "UNC is the perfect fit for superior academics and athletics. Coach Papa, Coach MJ and Coach Chelsey are a wonderful support system for their players, not only athletically, but academically as well."

Name: Isabela Emerling
Position: Catcher/First base/Third base
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-9
Hometown: Martinez, Calif.
High School: Alhambra HS
Travel Team: Universal Fastpitch Garcia 18u Gold

A four-year letterwinner at Alhambra High School, Isabela Emerling is a catcher and first and third baseman for coach Adam McLane. A two-time first-team all-league selection, Emerling was named best offensive player at Alhambra as a freshman and sophomore. Named to the all-metro team, Emerling was also an all-state nominee before COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season. Emerling also served as team captain each season at Alhambra. On the travel circuit, Emerling is a member and team captain of the Universal Fastpitch Garcia 18u Gold team for coach Martin Garcia. Ranked 34th by Extra Inning Softball, Emerling helped her team to a ninth-place finish at PGF nationals in 2018 and seventh place in 2019. Emerling is a top-10-ranked catcher by FloSoftball and has been nationally ranked in the 2021 recruiting class since eighth grade.

"Bela is a solid defensive catcher offering a strong presence and skill set behind the plate," Papa said. "She will challenge runners with her arm. Her receiving ability is one of her strongest assets making her a great addition to the battery. Offensively, Bela will be a welcome power hitter to our offense and will be someone that will be a run producer for us. We are thrilled to welcome Bella and her family to our Tar Heel Softball family."

A Martinez, California native, Emerling is the daughter of Morayma and Jacob, and has a younger brother, Diego. Her father, Jacob, played baseball at New Mexico Junior College. A principal's honor roll and superintendent's honor roll selection at Alhambra, Brooks plans to study biology at Carolina.

"I chose North Carolina because of the family dynamics, inclusive atmosphere and competitive mentality," Emerling said. "On my visit everyone was so welcoming and kind, so I knew that I would be taken care of being so far away from home. Carolina also has a winning tradition with driven coaches and student-athletes; I wanted to attend a college where I could be surrounded by like-minded people."

Name: Carlie Myrtle
Position: Pitcher/First base/Utility
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Fayetteville, N.C.
High School: Jack Britt HS
Travel Team: Carolina Cardinals

A four-year letterwinner at Jack Britt High School, Carlie Myrtle is a pitcher and plays first base and outfield for coach Sebrina Wilson. The two-time Jack Britt HS softball MVP earned all-conference, all-county, all-region and all-state honors as a freshman and sophomore. Helping her team to the 2018 state championship title, Myrtle was named the 910Preps Softball player of the year while Jack Britt HS earned team of the year honors. Most recently, Myrtle was named the 2019 Sandhills Athletic Conference player of the year since the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. Myrtle played travel ball with the Carolina Cardinals with coach Rick McHone for five years. Myrtle helped her team to the 2017 and 2018 USA/ASA national championship titles and a third-place finish at the USA/ASA Junior Olympic Cup in 2020.

"Carlie is a right-handed pitcher that will solidify our pitching staff and help to fulfill some time at first base," Papa said. "She will offset our returning pitching staff and will be able to give us depth in the circle. She spins the ball well and will add finesse to our pitching staff. Carlie does a good job of keeping the ball down in the zone, allowing our defense to play behind her. As a hitter, she swings a powerful bat. We look for Carlie to drive in some runs by hitting the ball in the gaps. Carlie is one of three players coming in from the Carolina Cardinals organization and we are happy to officially invite Carlie and her entire family to Chapel Hill."

A Fayetteville, North Carolina native, Myrtle is the daughter of Joseph and Melanie, and has a younger sister Lanie. Father, Joseph, was a third-team all-American outfielder at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. Myrtle. A member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and student government, Myrtle has been a member of the yearbook club for four years and was been editor-in-chief her junior and senior year. A National Honor Society member and AP Scholar with Distinction, Myrtle plans to study peace, war, and defense, and journalism at Carolina.

"I chose UNC because everything about Chapel Hill felt like home," Myrtle said. "The coaches were so welcoming and I meshed with the girls immediately, and seeing the support athletes get from the student-body was amazing. As soon as I stepped on the softball field I knew that UNC was where I wanted to go."

Name: Shelby Sykora
Position: Catcher/Third base
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Louisburg, N.C.
High School: Franklinton HS
Travel Team: Carolina Cardinals

A four-year letterwinner at Franklinton High School, Sykora is a catcher and plays third base and shortstop for coach Ashley Bauer. Sykora is a two-time North Carolina Softball Coaches Association all-district and all-state selection and a two-time Softball 3A Big East all-conference honoree. A Silver Slugger and Golden Glove award winner, Sykora led the conference in batting average, home runs, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. She was the 2018 softball player of the year and a team captain prior to the 2020 season begin canceled due to COVID-19. In addition to softball, Sykora is also a four-year letter winner in volleyball at Franklinton. She earned the NCHSAA scholar-athlete award and volleyball coaches award, and served as team captain. On the travel circuit, Sykora is a catcher and third baseman for the Carolina Cardinals with coach Rick McHone. Champions of the 2020 Tennessee ProSwings Power50, Sykora and the Carolina Cardinals placed third at the Junior Olympic Cup and won the PGF Tournament.

"Shelby bring versatility giving us depth and athleticism at the catching position and in the infield," Papa said. "Offensively, she can hit the long ball and will help provide added gap power to our lineup. She is someone who is a great teammate to her team, while keeping the mood light on her team. Dual sport athlete in Volleyball and Softball. Shelby is one of three players we have recruited from the Carolina Cardinals (NC) organization. We are thrilled to welcome Shelby and her family to our Tar Heel Softball family."

A native of Louisburg, North Carolina, Sykora is the daughter of Greg and Tina Smith, and has two older siblings: Megan and Dillon. A National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society member, Sykora is also involved in Key Club, Math Club and HOSA. Sykora has been named to the Principal's List A and A&B honor rolls. Additionally, Sykora Selected and attended the NCHSAA Athletic Leadership Conference by coaches and principal of Franklinton High School along with two other athletes for representation of FHS athletics.

"I chose North Carolina because on my unofficial visit, walking around the campus felt amazing and I knew Chapel Hill was going to be my home," Sykora said. "The excitement I have seen on and off the field from the softball girls is amazing and I knew I wanted to be a part of this team. I did not want to go far from home and Carolina was the perfect fit for me, I cannot wait to be there!"

Name: Regan Weisner
Position: First base/Third base
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Granite Falls, N.C.
High School: South Caldwell HS
Travel Team: Carolina Cardinals

A four-year letterwinner at South Caldwell High School, Regan Weisner plays first and second base for coach Casey Justice. The NC Softball 4A Northwestern all-conference tournament team selection was a two-time all-conference, all-region and all-state selection in 2018 and 2019. The NCHSAA Softball 4A State Tournament MVP, Weisner helped her team to a 4A State Championship in 2019 and a runner-up finish in 2018. The 2019 NCHSAA home run leader, Weisner also earned all-conference and all-county player of the year honors in 2019 and was named to the Charlotte Observer Softball first-team. Weisner was also a letterwinner in basketball at South Caldwell HS. On the travel circuit, Weisner played first and third base for the Carolina Cardinals with Rick McHone.

"Regan is a power-hitting corner and an RBI producer," Papa said. "She has hit numerous homeruns during her career, hitting 17 her sophomore year at South Caldwell High School. An extremely hard worker, Regan has a 'whatever it takes' mentality and loves to play the game. Regan is one of three players we have recruited from the Carolina Cardinals (NC) organization in this class. We are thrilled to welcome Regan and her family to our Tar Heel Softball family."

A Granite Falls, North Carolina native, Weisner is the daughter of Brad and Donna, and has a younger brother, Holland. A Beta club member and student ambassador as a freshman and sophomore, Weisner is a three-time honor roll and academic excellence honoree at South Caldwell High School.

"I chose North Carolina because of the coaches, academic opportunities and the history of Tar Heel athletic excellence," Weisner said. "I've been attending UNC softball camps since age 11, and throughout that time I've grown close to the coaches and love the family atmosphere they provide as well as their ability to bring the best out of each athlete."

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