Hermanek Announces 2019 Recruiting Class
11/14/2018 5:29:00 PM | Softball
Panthers Add Three Players in Early Signing Period
PITTSBURGH – Pitt softball head coach Jodi Hermanek announced Wednesday that three student-athletes will join the University of Pittsburgh softball program as a part of the squad's 2019 recruiting class. The Panthers will welcome Hope Alley, Emily Riggs and Makenzie Stiles.
"The 2019 signing class is very special to myself and the coaching staff, as this is the first signing class under our tutelage," said Hermanek. "Hope, Emily and Makenzie anchor a valuable recruiting class that reignites our roster after the upcoming graduation of some important seniors.
"We are most proud of these three student-athletes for their unwavering dedication to become a Panther. Their commitment to their academic future as well as their athletic careers aligns with the softball programs culture."
Hope Alley / Infield / Pleasanton, Ca. / Foothill High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Foothill High School and competed in the East Bay Athletics League (EBAL) of the North Coast Section (NCS) … Led team to two runner-up finishes and one championship in the NCS … Led squad to one co-championship and two championships in the EBAL … All-League Honorable Mention EBAL in her freshman season … Two-time All-League (EBAL) and All-Section (NCS) honoree … Named Second Team All-Bay Area in her sophomore year and First Team All-Bay Area in her junior season … All-State nominee in her sophomore season and Second Team All-State recipient in her junior year … Also played basketball … NCS Scholar Athlete.
CLUB
Sorcerer U18 Gold Williams team placed fifth at the Colorado IDT and ninth at the PGF Nationals … Sorcerer U16 Savoy team placed 9th at the PGF Nationals.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Tiffany and Jason Alley … Has two siblings, Ryan and Tate.
ALLEY ON PITT
"I chose Pitt because it is everything I could want in a school, and when I stepped on campus it felt like home. I've always wanted to compete at the highest level, and playing in the ACC allows me to do that. On top of that, I want to be a nurse and the Pitt nursing program is one of the best in the country."
Emily Riggs / Infield / Bridgeport, W.Va. / Bridgeport High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Bridgeport High School … Led team to 64-19 record and three consecutive AA Regional runner-up finishes over past three seasons … Three-time BB&T/Exponent Telegram Softball Player of the Year, First Team All-Harrison County, Big 10 First Team and First Team All-State honoree … Named Big 10 Freshman Player of the Year before being named Big 10 Softball Player of the Year a season later … Also played basketball … Earned both All-County and All-State honors … National Honor Society member and Honor Roll student.
CLUB
Played for Team Pennsylvania U14 Hartman and Team Pennsylvania U18 Hall … Led U18 team to a runner-up finish in the 2018 Triple Crown East Coast Summer National Championship.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Curtis and Melissa Riggs … Has one sibling, Bailey.
RIGGS ON PITT
"The reason I chose Pitt is because of the academics, the environment, the facilities and how close I am to home. I want to study Physical Therapy and they have one of the top Physical Therapy programs in the nation. The facilities are beautiful along with a really competitive conference in the ACC. It just feels right being on the University of Pittsburgh campus."
Makenzie Stiles / Pitcher / Deposit, N.Y. / Deposit Central High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Deposit Central High School … Led team to 65-8 record over past three seasons … Team won three Midstate Athletic Conference (MAC), NYS Section 4 Class D and NYS Class D Regional Championships while collecting two NYS Class D State Championships … Three-time First Team All-MAC and All-State member … Named NYS Class D Co-Player of the Year twice while winning the award outright once … Broke the Deposit Central High School strikeout record with 715 strikeouts in her sophomore season … Owns more than 1,000 career strikeouts … Broke the NYS perfect game record of 11 … Currently owns 13 in her career … A Scholar Athlete.
CLUB
Played for the TC Tremors and Ohio Outlaws … Won the 2017 New Jersey Tournament Championship and placed fifth in the PGF Nationals with the Outlaws.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Laura and Bill Stiles … Has one sibling, Trevor, who plays baseball at SUNY Broome.
STILES ON PITT
"I chose Pitt because of both the academics and athletics. I've always wanted to play in a competitive conference, which I believe the ACC is. The coaching staff is great, and the team seems to be like a family. Pittsburgh is much different than my hometown, so I am very excited to experience life in a new setting. I can't wait for this new adventure."
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"The 2019 signing class is very special to myself and the coaching staff, as this is the first signing class under our tutelage," said Hermanek. "Hope, Emily and Makenzie anchor a valuable recruiting class that reignites our roster after the upcoming graduation of some important seniors.
"We are most proud of these three student-athletes for their unwavering dedication to become a Panther. Their commitment to their academic future as well as their athletic careers aligns with the softball programs culture."
Hope Alley / Infield / Pleasanton, Ca. / Foothill High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Foothill High School and competed in the East Bay Athletics League (EBAL) of the North Coast Section (NCS) … Led team to two runner-up finishes and one championship in the NCS … Led squad to one co-championship and two championships in the EBAL … All-League Honorable Mention EBAL in her freshman season … Two-time All-League (EBAL) and All-Section (NCS) honoree … Named Second Team All-Bay Area in her sophomore year and First Team All-Bay Area in her junior season … All-State nominee in her sophomore season and Second Team All-State recipient in her junior year … Also played basketball … NCS Scholar Athlete.
CLUB
Sorcerer U18 Gold Williams team placed fifth at the Colorado IDT and ninth at the PGF Nationals … Sorcerer U16 Savoy team placed 9th at the PGF Nationals.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Tiffany and Jason Alley … Has two siblings, Ryan and Tate.
ALLEY ON PITT
"I chose Pitt because it is everything I could want in a school, and when I stepped on campus it felt like home. I've always wanted to compete at the highest level, and playing in the ACC allows me to do that. On top of that, I want to be a nurse and the Pitt nursing program is one of the best in the country."
Emily Riggs / Infield / Bridgeport, W.Va. / Bridgeport High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Bridgeport High School … Led team to 64-19 record and three consecutive AA Regional runner-up finishes over past three seasons … Three-time BB&T/Exponent Telegram Softball Player of the Year, First Team All-Harrison County, Big 10 First Team and First Team All-State honoree … Named Big 10 Freshman Player of the Year before being named Big 10 Softball Player of the Year a season later … Also played basketball … Earned both All-County and All-State honors … National Honor Society member and Honor Roll student.
CLUB
Played for Team Pennsylvania U14 Hartman and Team Pennsylvania U18 Hall … Led U18 team to a runner-up finish in the 2018 Triple Crown East Coast Summer National Championship.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Curtis and Melissa Riggs … Has one sibling, Bailey.
RIGGS ON PITT
"The reason I chose Pitt is because of the academics, the environment, the facilities and how close I am to home. I want to study Physical Therapy and they have one of the top Physical Therapy programs in the nation. The facilities are beautiful along with a really competitive conference in the ACC. It just feels right being on the University of Pittsburgh campus."
Makenzie Stiles / Pitcher / Deposit, N.Y. / Deposit Central High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Deposit Central High School … Led team to 65-8 record over past three seasons … Team won three Midstate Athletic Conference (MAC), NYS Section 4 Class D and NYS Class D Regional Championships while collecting two NYS Class D State Championships … Three-time First Team All-MAC and All-State member … Named NYS Class D Co-Player of the Year twice while winning the award outright once … Broke the Deposit Central High School strikeout record with 715 strikeouts in her sophomore season … Owns more than 1,000 career strikeouts … Broke the NYS perfect game record of 11 … Currently owns 13 in her career … A Scholar Athlete.
CLUB
Played for the TC Tremors and Ohio Outlaws … Won the 2017 New Jersey Tournament Championship and placed fifth in the PGF Nationals with the Outlaws.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Laura and Bill Stiles … Has one sibling, Trevor, who plays baseball at SUNY Broome.
STILES ON PITT
"I chose Pitt because of both the academics and athletics. I've always wanted to play in a competitive conference, which I believe the ACC is. The coaching staff is great, and the team seems to be like a family. Pittsburgh is much different than my hometown, so I am very excited to experience life in a new setting. I can't wait for this new adventure."
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