DAVIS, Calif. -- UC Davis head women's soccer coach Tracy Hamm announced Thursday a class of eight high school standouts that have chosen to continue their academic and athletic careers with the Aggies.

"The 2022 class is going to add depth to an already talented young team," Hamm said. "Many of these players come from winning club and high school programs that have a history of competing and showing up for big games.

"Each individual brings something unique to the class and I am looking forward to watching them complement our versatile program. We are adding a range of positions and roles to the squad. We have no doubt curated a star-studded group and are optimistically awaiting the fall of 2022."

Six of the eight high school signees hail from the state of California, with another joining UC Davis from Nevada, and another from Wisconsin.

Below are brief bios on each of the signees.

UC Davis finished the 2021 campaign with a 10-8 overall record and a 5-5 mark in Big West Conference play, posting the program's first winning season -- and its first with 10-or-more wins -- since the Aggies wrapped up the 2015 campaign with a 10-7-2 overall record. Sophomores Leslie Fregoso and Risa Yamada were each named to the All-Big West first team -- the first UC Davis duo to do so since 2013 -- while newcomer Jayde Holley was a second-team selection and a member of the all-freshman team.

CHARLOTTE HENNESS (M, Henderson, Nev. / Coronado HS, Select FC)
Four-year captain of her club team, Select FC, helping lead the club to a 2020 Nevada State Soccer Association title... An attacking center midfielder, who currently leads her team in goals.

ASHLEIGH GARCIA (M, Tracy, Calif. / Tracy HS, Pleasanton Rage)
Three-year varsity letter winner for the Bulldogs heading into her senior season... Named the Tri-City Athletic League MVP as a freshman, helping the Bulldogs to a league title, and was the league's co-midfielder of the year as a sophomore... Plays club soccer for Pleasanton Rage... Member of the United States Youth National Team U18 poll... Named to the All-Northwest Conference, Cal North State ODP, and region IV teams with her club... Also named to the NorCal State PDP team and attended U.S. Club Soccer and ECNLiD2 camps... Academically sports a 4.8 GPA and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate... Four-year member of the California Scholarship Federation... Four-year competitor in Math Olympiad and three-year competitor in the Science Olympiad... President of the Letters for Rose Club, which is an organization that collects and distributes letters and art for the elderly in nursing homes.

KYLEE REDMAN (D, Turlock, Calif. / Turlock HS, West Coast FC)
Three-year letter winner in soccer, cross country, and track and field, for the Bulldogs, heading into her senior season... Named the Central California Athletic League Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and was a All-CCAL selection in 2020... Holds the school records in the 100 (12.31) and 200 (25.49), and is a member of the record-holding 4x100 relay squad... CIF state participant in the 100 in 2010, and a CIF Masters qualifier in the 100, 200, and 4x100 in 2019... Also played club soccer for Ajax United before joining West Coast FC this year... Intends to major in animal science who wants to become a veterinarian like her grandfather.

CATHERINE PIEPER (GK, Belgium, Wisc. / Random Lake HS, North Shore United)
Starter for her high school team as a freshman, earning all-league honorable mention honors for the Rams... Has played club soccer for North Shore United for the last 11 years... Four-time state finalist who has participated in National League and regionals... Club team co-captain for the last three years... Intends to major in political science and attend law school after graduating.

OLIVIA LEWIS (D, Carlsbad, Calif. / Carlsbad HS, City SC)
Has played the last eight years with her CIty SC Girls Academy team, helping her team to a Southwest Region Girls Academy championship in 2021 and a third-place national finish... Also competed with the varsity track with the Lancers, advancing to the CIF finals in the 300 hurdles and long jump... Academically, she is a member of the honor roll, is an AP scholar with honors, and has served as Student Body President.

TAYLOR DEVER (D/M, Chico, Calif. / Chico HS, Davis Legacy)
Played soccer and basketball for the Panthers... Team captain for the Davis Legacy ECNL squad... 2021 all-conference ECNL selection... Played in the ECNL final four for San Juan SC... NorCal Premier PDP starter and an ODP regional selection... Scholar-athlete award winner... Has a sister Tatym, who also plays for Davis Legacy.

MADDIE GMITTER (F, Santa Rosa, Calif. / Maria Carillo HS, Santa Rosa United)
Three-year varsity letter winner heading into her senior season with the Pumas... Team co-captain... All-league second team selection in 2020... Plays club soccer for Santa Rosa United... NorCal PDP selection who competed in the North vs. South Regional All-Star Game... Intends to double major in psychology and criminal justice... Four-year Dean's List honoree.

ANGELA SHANNON (F, Newcastle, Calif. / Whitney HS, Placer United)
First-team All-Pioneer Valley League selection and scholar-athlete award winner for the Wildcats in 2021... Plays club for Placer United... Top-10 goal scorer in the Nothwest Division for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy... Intends to major in genetics and genomics at UC Davis.
 

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