Marshall University Athletics
Softball Signs Five For 2002-03 Season
11/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Softball Signs Five For 2002-03 Season
11/16/2001
Huntington, W. Va.- Marshall softball coach Shonda Stanton announced today that five players have signed letters of intent to play for the Thundering Herd.
Marshall?s incoming class includes Courtney Kacenga of Sierra Vista, Ariz., Sara Spenia of Las Vegas, Nev., Amanda Williams of Powder Springs, Ga., Jessica Williams of Powder Springs, Ga., and Leigh Wintter of Acworth, Ga.
?With seven graduating seniors, it is imperative for us to have a solid recruiting class for 2002,? head coach Shonda Stanton said. ?We have accomplished that and so much more. All five signees have the potential to make their mark on this program immediately. We are very proud of this upcoming class thus far and eagerly anticipate the impact they will have next season. They are all quality student-athletes, but more importantly they are quality young ladies.?
Courtney Kacenga comes to the Herd from Buena High School where she played in the outfield. She was named Arizona Daily Star All-City Honorable Mention and was awarded the AIA Scholar Athlete Award this past year. Courtney was also a member of the National Honor Society. She also played on the Tucson Scramblers travelling team where she hit .365 on the season with a .987 fielding percentage and was 26 of 30 in stolen bases. Kacenga intends to major in psychology/child development upon entering Marshall.
?Courtney has good foot speed and a quick first step to the ball,? Stanton said. ?With her quickness and aggressive style, Courtney will be a stable component in the outfield. She is an energetic player with a strong work ethic and will be a welcome addition to our program.?
Sara Spenia will be joining the Marshall squad as a utility infielder. She hit .512 and was named first team all-state at Durango High School. Sara played second base for the Las Vegas Rage in the summer and sported a .980 fielding percentage.
?I am very excited to attend Marshall University, because both of my parents are from West Virginia and most of our family still resides in the area,? said Spenia. ?It will be great to play in front of a home crowd.?
?Sara primarily plays first base for the Rage and second for Durango. She also has experience on the corner,? said Stanton. ?Her versatility will give us a number of options throughout her career as well as add much need depth in the infield. She is a leader on the field and an intense competitor.?
Amanda and Jessica Williams are twin sisters who played together at Harrison High School and for the East Cobb Bullets in the summers. The two helped lead Harrison High to a 130-20 record over four years, placing in the top three in the state each season. In their 2001 summer season with the East Cobb Bullets the team finished 77-17, placing 7th in the Amateur Softball Association National Championships after winning the state and regional competitions.
Amanda is an outfielder who was an all-state selection in 2000 among many other honors. She plans on majoring in education at Marshall.
"Amanda brings to the outfield natural tracking instincts and a strong, accurate arm," said Stanton. "Possessing both power and quickness from the left side of the plate, Amanda will also provide a real spark offensively."
Amanda and Jessica are both members of the National Beta Club and see Marshall as not only a great softball program, but a sound environment to get their education.
?I chose Marshall because I could see that the coaching staff cared about the athletes not just as players, but as people,? A. Williams said.
Jessica, a middle infielder, was also a first team all-state selection as well as captiain of her high school squad. She also plans on majoring in education in the fall.
?Jessica has exceptional range up the middle,? said Stanton. ?Her steady glove makes her such a consistent performer. She has all the tools necessary to make things happen offensively, while putting pressure on the defense. Her speed and quickness create an exciting player to watch on both sides of the field.?
Leigh Wintter, another Georgia native, played at North Cobb High School where she set numerous school records including records for home runs and runs batted in. She earned honorable mention all-state in 2000 and won the Gatorade Will to Win Athlete Award. Wintter also plans on becoming an education major.
?Leigh is a strong ballplayer who will bring power to our line-up,? said Stanton. ?She adjusts well at the plate and can hit the ball to all parts of the field. Leigh is a solid third baseman with excellent reactions to the ball and great composure on the corner.?
