JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. —Carson-Newman softball coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield has signed four student-athletes for the 2010-11 season, Hollifield announced Monday.

Three of the signees are from perennial Georgia power Ridgeland High School in Rossville, Ga., while one is from Ooltewah High School in Ooltewah, Tenn.


"We're excited about the early work we've done in this class," Lady Eagle head coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield said. "Carson-Newman has had a number of great players come from the Chattanooga and North Georgia area, and we feel like we've added four more from the area for next season."

Haley Lawson (Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.), Jessica Forrester (Flintstone, Ga.) and Caitlyn Lance (East Ridge, Tenn.) have combined to lead Ridgeland to two playoff appearances, which included a trip to the Sweet 16 and a sub-region championship in 2009.

Lawson, a 5-6 shortstop, had a .362 average with 15 doubles, two home runs, 20 RBIs for Ridgeland in 2009. She was also a threat on the base pads as she finished the year with 12 stolen bases. Lawson earned All-State honors in 2008, along with being named to the North Georgia Dream Team. She also received first team Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps honors in 2009.

Forrester, a 5-3 pitcher, recorded 18 wins with a 0.17 earned run average and 237 strikeouts for Ridgeland in 2009. She received North Georgia Dream Team honors in 2008 and was a second team Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps selection in 2009. Forrester was also an All-Region performer in 2009.

Lance, a 5-6 first baseman/catcher, batted .556 for Ridgeland in 2009 with 12 doubles, one home run and 26 RBIs. She earned North Georgia Dream Team and second team All-State honors in 2008. Lance was also a second team Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps selection and an All-Region performer in 2009.

Sara Kelley (Ooltewah, Tenn.) is the fourth member of the signing class. Kelley, a 5-6 third baseman, hit .398 for Ooltewah last season with 25 RBIs, two home runs, nine doubles and one triple. She earned All-County and All-Tournament honors last season and is a four-time All-American Scholar Athlete selection. Kelley helped lead the Lady Owls to a 2008 Class AAA state championship.