GREENSBORO, NC – UNC Greensboro softball coach Jennifer Herzig announced Thursday the commitments of three-student athletes during the National Letter of Intent program’s recent signing period.
The Spartans received commitments from Jordan Jewett, an outfielder from Poulsbo, WA, Chelsea Bryson, an outfielder from Angleton, TX, and Cory Mattson, a pitcher from Everett, WA.
"I am thrilled to have Chelsea, Jordan and Cory join our softball program,” said Herzig. “All three come from very competitive high school and travel programs and have competed against some of the best talent in the country. I believe those experiences will enable them to make the adjustment to the collegiate game very easily. Furthermore, they are each outstanding students and people, coming from great families. I am excited to watch them grow and succeed over the course of their collegiate careers.”
Jewett, who attends North Kitsap HS and plays for head coach Bill Hobaugh, is a three-year letterwinner and during her junior season recorded a .520 batting average and had 26 hits from the leadoff position. She earned first team all-league and all-county honors her junior season and helped lead the Vikings to a seventh-place finish in the state tournament in 2006. Jewett was also voted team MVP in 2007 and was selected to play in the all-star game. The Poulsbo, WA, native, plays her summer ball with the Washington Lady Hawks and took part in the Triple Crown All-American All-Star game.
"Jordan is an absolute spark on the field - a player who you can't help but notice even when she isn't the primary player involved in a play. She is exciting, has a tremendous work ethic and an audacious attitude on the field. She is a left handed hitter who will give us depth at the plate, as we have not had more than one left-handed hitter in our line-up in the past few years."
Bryson, an Angleton, TX, native, who attends Angleton HS and plays for head coach Kevin Hurley, is a four-year letterwinner at the outfield position and a four-sport athlete. She was a 2007 all-district and all-county selection and led her team to an appearance in the area finals. Bryson and the LadyCats were district champions in 2005 and semi-regional finalists while also earning a spot in the regional championship in 2006. Bryson plays her summer ball with the Texas Storm Demarini for head coach Larry Durham. The Storm placed 17th at the ASA Gold Nationals in 2007.
"Chelsea will bring great defensive instincts to our outfield. She has very good speed, gets great jumps on balls and has no fear when it comes to making a defensive play. Offensively, she has the ability to hit from both the left and the right side, as well as play a slapping short game. Her versatility will undoubtedly make us better and with the potential that she naturally possesses, I am eager to see how far her work ethic can take her."
Mattson, who attends Everett HS in Everett, WA, is a three year varsity player for head coach Kyle Peacocke. Mattson, a right-handed pitcher, currently holds 11 Everett HS records. She holds single season records in wins (21), strikeouts (262) and strikeouts in a game (18) while also holding career records in wins (54) and strikeouts (633). She has also pitched three perfect games in her career. Also an accomplished hitter, Mattson holds single season batting records in RBI’s (25), doubles (9), triples (4) and home runs. (5). She also holds the career record for home runs with eight. The Everett, WA native plays her summer ball with the Lake Breeze Gold 18U and is coached by Margo Leiter. Mattson lead her team to the 2006 18A Regional Championship.
"Cory has a quiet strength about her that most pitchers at her age have yet to figure out. She is an incredibly focused competitor whose demeanor on the mound is just as important as the quality of pitches that she throws. She is very fluid, and still has a tremendous amount of room to grow within the collegiate game. She will bring a different look to the mound than what we already posses in our pitching staff. I am very excited to see her mesh with our returning pitchers."
The three student-athletes will join the Spartans for the 2008-09 season.
UNCG opens the season Feb. 8 when it heads to Jacksonville, FL, for the Jacksonville University Tournament.
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