VIDEO: Vickee Kazee-Hollifield Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head softball coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield has announced the addition of three student athletes to C-N's 207 signing class, bringing the Eagles' total number of signees to six.
Carson-Newman's four May signees are Hailee Garren (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Lacie Rinus (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Oakland) and Kennedy Richardson (Elizabethton, Tenn./Elizabethton).
"I think Coach Graves and I tried to find players who have a love and passion for the game," Kazee-Hollifield said. "We spent a lot of time with them trying to assess that and looking at how they played the game."
They join early signees Taylor Scott, Abby Fiessinger and KaraLynne Levi.
Hailee Garren – Winson-Salem, N.C. – R/R – 2B/OF – 5-3 - @haileenicole82
Garren was homeschooled and thus did not play high school ball; however, with various travel teams and showcase she hit .589 with an .870 on-base percentage. While with the Randolph Rage and Carolina Comets Gold team, she belted 20 home runs and had a .980 fielding percentage.
"I think Hailee has worked tremendously with her hitting," Kazee-Hollifield said. "She's improved her arm strength as well. You can just tell she's willing to work and do whatever it takes to get the job done."
She was named the 2015 homeschooled Queen of the Diamond Showcase MVP player and the 2016 D1 Sports Training Facility's Athlete of the Month.
The daughter of Norma Garren, she plans to study nursing at Carson-Newman.
Lacie Rinus – Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Oakland – L/L – P/OF – 5-5 - @lacieloo22
Rinus comes to Carson-Newman from Oakland High School where she played for Luke Sheppard. She is the Patriots' all-time leader in strikeouts with 699 career Ks. She surpassed former Arkansas pitcher Valanna Lyons for that record. In her senior season, she batted .411 with three bombs. In the circle, she had a 1.68 ERA.
"She has all the pitches. She can throw hard and throw off speed," Kazee-Hollifield said. "Then she has a cannon for an arm in centerfield. In the circle, we love the movement we see out of her."
Rinus is a three-time all-district most valuable player, a three-time Daily News Journal MVP Pitcher, a two-time all-state selection and a two-time all-tournament pick.
She helped guide the Patriots to a 2014 district title.
The daughter of Don and Kim Rinus, she chose Carson-Newman over Middle Tennessee State and North Alabama. She plans to study radiology at Carson-Newman. He father played football at Iowa.
Kennedy Richardson – Elizabethton, Tenn. – Elizabethton – B/R – OF/C – 5-3
Richardson makes her way to Mossy Creek from Elizabethton High School where she played for Ken Harden. She was a two-sport athlete and also played volleyball.
On the diamond, Richardson hits .321 for the Cyclones. She was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a designated player.
"It's cliché, but she will go through a brick wall for you," Kazee-Hollifield said. "She loves the game. She only has one gear and that's all out."
A member of the National Honor Society and the All-Academic Softball Team, she is the daughter of Aimee Richardson and intends to study nursing at Carson-Newman.
