ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team announced its 2021 recruiting class as released by Phoenix head coach
Kathy Bocock on Friday, January 22.
The seven-member group of Bella Backer, Taylor Cherry, Isley Duggins, Chloe Hatzopoulos, McKenna McCard, Allee Seering and Kaitlyn Wells are set to join the Phoenix at the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year later this fall.
"We are so excited about our recruiting class of 2021," said Bocock. "They will bring in the softball skills that we were looking for to build our program to chase championships in the (Colonial Athletic Association) and nationally. They are a very talented class from an athletic and academic standpoint while having the characteristics to fit into our Elon softball family."
Bella Backer • 1B/OF • Templeton, Calif. • Templeton High School • Cal Nuggets
• Competes at Templeton High School under head coach Keith Swank
• Named first team All-League as a freshman and sophomore
• Selected All-County as a freshman
• Led her high school team to the Los Padres League championship in 2018
• Also won the CIF championship in 2019
• Plays for the Cal Nuggets travel ball team with head coach Haley Woods
• Helped her travel ball team qualify for the PGF Nationals Premiere in 2019
Personal
• Daughter of John and Jill Backer
• Intends to major in chemistry
Why Bella chose Elon:
"The first time I visited the Elon campus, I knew it was the place for me. From the top-notch academics to the welcoming student community. As a softball player, I felt most at home with the coaches, girls on the team and facilities. Combine the academics and athletics, Elon is the perfect combination."
Taylor Cherry • Pitcher • Suffolk, Va. • Nansemond River High School • Virginia Legends
• Pitches at Nansemond River High School for head coach Gabe Rogers
• Named two-time first team All-District during her freshman and sophomore year
• Selected second team All-Region as a sophomore
• Helped her team make the regional playoffs her first two years in high school
• Also competes for the Virginia Legends club team under head coach Tim Johnston
• Selected as a two-time all-star at the IDT Invitational
Personal
• Daughter of Darick and Joann Cherry
• Plans to major in biology
Why Taylor chose Elon:
"I chose Elon not only because of their amazing softball program, but because of the great academic opportunities and how much the coaches made it feel like home. As soon as I stepped foot on Elon's campus, I knew it was right where I was meant to be."
Isley Duggins • Pitcher • Burlington, N.C. • Southern Alamance High School • Carolina Elite Frye
• Pitches at Southern Alamance High School under head coach Jon Russell
• Named all-conference her freshman and sophomore seasons
• Named the Freshman Athlete of the Year at Southern Alamance
• Led Southern Alamance to the conference tournament title as a freshman and sophomore
• Also was an all-conference player in volleyball
• Played travel ball for the Carolina Elite Frye under head coach Eric Frye
Personal
• Daughter of Jon and Robin Duggins
• Mother played softball and volleyball at Elon
• Intends to major in business
Why Isley chose Elon:
"Choosing Elon was an easy decision for me. Having small class sizes, being able to stay close to home and the beautiful campus were all factors that were important to me. What sealed the deal for me was the positive and fun atmosphere that Coach Bo and her staff created in the softball program at Elon."
Chloe Hatzopoulos • Outfielder • Huntersville, N.C. • Mountain Island Charter School • Team NC Huss
• Competes for the Mountain Island Charter School for head coach John Engel
• Named PCAC All-Conference in 2018 and 2019
• Selected 1A All-District and 1A All-State
• Tabbed as the 2019 All-Gazette Softball Player of the Year
• Made the 2018 All-Gazette Softball First Team
• Placed on the 2019 All-Observer Second Team
• Played on the Team NC Huss club team under head coach Brad Huss
• Selected as the 2020 Hot Stove League 2021 Rising Star Award Winner
Personal
• Daughter of Joe and Alison Hatzopoulos
• Undecided on a major
Why Chloe chose Elon:
"The moment I visited Elon, I instantly knew it was where I belong. The softball program, awesome coaching staff and players, small class sizes, great academics and a beautiful campus are all that I need. I am so excited to see where the next four years take me while attending Elon University! Go Phoenix!"
McKenna McCard • Pitcher • Ashburn, Ga. • Tiftarea Academy • Florida Impact Premier
• Plays at the Tiftarea Academy for head coach Rob Flick
• Finished the 2020 campaign with the No. 1 ERA nationally and state-wise according to MaxPreps
• Selected all-state, all-region in 2019
• Also tabbed as the 2019 Offensive Player of the Year
• Played on the Florida Impact Premier travel ball team under head coach Billy Watson
• Is the 29th ranked pitcher nationally and the 52nd player overall in travel ball
• Earned the 2019 Stephanie Phillips Award with the Atlanta Vipers Trowell
• Helped the Atlanta Vipers Trowell to a No. 23 ranking in 2019
Personal
• Daughter of Herman and Susan McCard
• Intends to major in pre-physical therapy and kinesiology
Why McKenna chose Elon:
"I knew Elon was my home away from home the second I stepped foot onto campus. What drew me to Elon was the high standard for academics and competitive athletics. The atmosphere at Elon is unmatched and I cannot wait to become part of the Phoenix culture!"
Allee Seering • Utility/Catcher • St. Charles, Illinois • Cuthbertson High School • Team NC Huss
• Competes at Cuthbertson High School for head coach Dakota Keller
• Led the county with the highest batting average and home runs as a freshman
• Was a nominee for the Player of the Week for the Charlotte Observer
• Named the Freshman MVP
• Played travel ball for Team NC Huss under head coach Brad Huss
Personal
• Daughter of William and Linda Seering
• Father played football at Missouri State while her mother played softball at IUPUI
• Has two sisters, Ashley who played softball at Appalachian State, and Rilee, who plays soccer at UNC Pembroke
• Plans to be an engineering major
Why Allee chose Elon:
"The reason I chose Elon University was because of the initial feeling I got. The moment I met the players and coaches of the Elon softball team I fell in love. The campus and academics are absolutely amazing! I am proud to be a part of The Phoenix Family!"
Kaitlyn Wells • Outfielder • Roswell, Ga. • Pope High School • Georgia Academy Power Gold
• Plays at Pope High School under head coach Chris Turco
• Holds the single-season fielding percentage record of 1.000 that was set in 2018
• Led the program in home runs (eight), RBI (31) and slugging percentage (.812) in 2020 through 26 games
• Helped her team to the Georgia 6A State championship in 2019 and a runner-up finish in 2018
• Four-time regional champion
• Plays travel ball for the Georgia Academy Power Gold
• Named the MVP of the All-American game at the Colorado Sparkler Tournament in 2018
Personal
• Daughter of Jim and Hope Wells
• Both parents were All-American swimmers at the University of Southern California
• Intends to become a business analytics major
Why Kaitlyn chose Elon:
"From the very first time I stepped on campus, I knew Elon was where I wanted to be. Elon has competitive athletics and academics along with a stunning campus. I'm so excited to be a part of this amazing family!"
-- ELON --
