VIDEO: Michael Graves Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head softball coach Michael Graves has announced the signings of eight student-athletes for the 2021 season.
The Eagles bring in six freshmen and two transfers.
"This has the potential to be Carson-Newman's deepest and most talented softball team ever," Graves said. "That's purely for the fact that we were recruiting freshman to start. We've got two senior transfers coming in that have played for three years, then the unexpected return of KaraLynne Levi and Lacie Rinus for extra years of eligibility due to CoVID. We've got a lot of pieces to the puzzle, we just have to figure out where they fit."
Hattie Campbell – Knoxville, Tenn. – Alcoa – King - L/R – INF – 5-7 - @hattie__joyce
PRIOR TO CARSON-NEWMAN: An All-Conference Carolinas selection for King, she started in 33 of the 41 games she appeared in her sophomore season en route to hitting .245 with 25 hits and six doubles. She went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI in her first career game, the season-opening 5-3 win over Queens. Started her collegiate career at Walters State where she hit .350.
HIGH SCHOOL: While playing for Alcoa, she was an all-district selection and led her team in RBI. She helped the Senators to a JUCO world series in 2017.
PERSONAL: The daughter of Scott and Kasey Campbell, she plans to study business at Carson-Newman.
SieAnna Cameron – Friendsville, Tenn. – Alcoa – L/L – OF – 5-6 - @sieannaadell
HIGH SCHOOL: A two-sport athlete from Alcoa where she played soccer in addition to her exploits on the softball diamond. She hit .521, .541 and .519 her final three years with the Tornados with 42 stolen bases and 14 home runs. She made all-state as a junior and was named offensive player of the year en route to helping Alcoa to a district title.
PERSONAL: The daughter of Scott and Kory Cameron.
Macey Hughes – Corryton, Tenn. – Gibbs – L/L – OF – 5-4 - @maceyhughes5
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for Carson-Newman legend Carol Zachary Mitchell at Gibbs High School where she helped the Eagles to a state title her freshman year and region titles as a sophomore and junior. In her high school career, she hit .421 with a .510 on-base, 155 RBI and 24 home runs. She was named a freshman All-American by MaxPreps. She was named all-district three times and all-state as a sophomore.
PERSONAL: The daughter of Amy and Michael Hughes, she plans to study elementary education at Carson-Newman. She was a two-time TSCA All-Academic Team selection.
Kinlee Daniel – Linden, Tenn. – Waverly Central – R/R – P – 5-6 - @kinlee_daniel
HIGH SCHOOL: Daniel played for Steven Webb at Waverly Central where she hit .378 with a 1.4 ERA in the circle. She was named MVP her sophomore and junior year for her team while earning all-state honors as a junior.
PERSONAL: The daughter of Kimberly and Kevin Daniel, she plans to study psychology at Carson-Newman.
Katie Eakes – Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Wilson Central – North Alabama – L/L - 1B – 5-6 - @KatieEakes10
PRIOR TO CARSON-NEWMAN: Eakes stood out in her sophomore campaign at UNA; she played in 33 games with 13 starts in 2018 - batting .415 on the year with 22 hits, including two doubles and four home runs. She posted a .679 slugging percentage. A total of 10 of her hits, including two of her home runs were pinch hits, including a two-run homer on March 24 against Spring Hill. As a freshman, she saw action in nine games in 2017, including two starts at designated player. She batted .200 on the year, going 3-for-15 at the plate with a double and a home run. She was named to the ASun's All-Academic team.
HIGH SCHOOL: Eakes played at Wilson Central High School for coach Brandon 'Bubba' Sutton. She helped lead the Wildcats to four straight district titles (2013-16), two straight region championships (2014-15) and a 2015 AAA State Championship. She was a three-time all-district selection, named the 2013 Rookie of the Year and led the team in RBI's in 2014 and 2015.
PERSONAL: Her full name is Katie Ashton Eakes. She is the daughter of Stant and Wendy Eakes. At North Alabama, she was involved in National Honors Society, National Society of Leadership & Success, Executive Social Media Coordinator in the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee and Lion's Leadership Committee.
Kylan Dickerson – Grand Junction, Colo. – Fruita Monument – R/R – INF – 5-5
HIGH SCHOOL: Dickerson hit .466 with eight home runs for Adam Diaz at Fruita Monument High School. She swiped 77 bases and was on base 50.8 percent of the time. She was a three-time all-conference player, earning first team honors as a senior.
PERSONAL: The daughter of Kestrel and Crystal Dickerson, she plans to study nursing at Carson-Newman. In high school, she was a member of the National Honors Society, Red Cross Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
NicKolette Ferguson – Erwin, Tenn. – Daniel Boone – R/R – P/1B – 5-8
HIGH SCHOOL: Ferguson hit .333 with a .455 on-base percentage and 15 home runs at Daniel Boone High School for coach Jeremy Jenkins. She was named first team All-Big 7 Conference twice and was the league's pitcher of the year as a freshman. She helped the Trailblazers to a pair of district titles.
PERSONAL: The daughter of McKenzi and Arthur Ferguson. Both of her parents were collegiate athletes. He father played baseball at Tusculum, while her mother played softball at Lander. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club in high school.
Addison Lowe – Sweetwater, Tenn. – Sweetwater – R/R – UTIL – 5-8 - @Addisonklowe
HIGH SCHOOL: In three years at Sweetwater High School, Lowe hit .530 with 17 home runs, 147 RBI and 101 runs scored. She helped the Wildcats to pair of sectional titles and state tournament appearances with a region title her junior year. She was named Monroe County's Player of the Year in 2017 and the Defensive Player of the Year for the county in 2018.
PERSONAL: The daughter of Sonny and Melanie Lowe, she plans to study business at Carson-Newman. She graduated in the top 10 percent of her high school class. She is a member of Beta Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
