University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Welcome Talented Group of Newcomers for 2017
November 20, 2015 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Coming off their seventh trip to the Women's College World Series, co-head coaches Ralph Weekly and Karen Weekly have reeled in yet another strong recruiting class for the Volunteers' softball program.
Caylan Arnold, Jenna Holcomb, Kaitlyn Martin and Chelsea Seggern will all join the Volunteers for the 2016-17 academic year.
"This class has a little of everything - pitching, speed and power," Karen Weekly said. "All of these young ladies have a high softball IQ.
"Most important, they are committed to academic excellence. We expect each of these student-athletes to make an immediate impact for us."
The Vols posted a 47-17 record in 2015 and advanced to their seventh WCWS in the last 11 seasons. The Big Orange has won at least 40 games in each of its last 13 seasons and will celebrate its 21st year of softball in 2016. NFCA All-American Rainey Gaffin is among eight returning starters from last season's WCWS team. The Vols also feature 12 exciting newcomers that made up the No. 2 ranked recruiting class last year.
Learn more about the Volunteers' four newcomers below.
Maryville, Tenn.
Maryville HS | Pitcher
Caylan Arnold
Arnold is a local product from nearby Maryville High School, where she has helped lead the Rebels to the Class AAA State Tournament twice during her three seasons with the team. She was named an all-state performer during her sophomore and junior years and was named the 2015 District MVP after posting a 25-8 record in the circle last season. The hard-throwing righty posted a 0.59 ERA and racked up 336 strikeouts while also batting .343 and belting 12 home runs during her breakout junior season. Arnold chose Tennessee over other softball powers Florida State, Washington and LSU.
Los Alamitos, Calif.
Los Alamitos HS | Outfielder
Jenna Holcomb
Holcomb is a highly-ranked recruit out of Los Alamitos High School in California. She was a second-team all-state selection in 2015 after batting .444 and stealing 30 bases. Holcomb was named the Sunset League Co-Player of the Year after helping lead Los Alamitos to the league championship last season. She also played a major role on her club team, the So Cal Athletics, who advanced to the Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) National Championship game in 2014. On top of her accolades on the field, Holcomb was also named a 2015 Academic All-American and has garnered scholar athlete awards for three straight years. She chose Tennessee over UCLA, Stanford and Washington.
Medina, Tenn.
South Gibson County HS | Infielder/Pitcher
Kaitlyn Martin
Martin has been a force at the plate and in the circle for South Gibson County High School over the past couple of seasons. In just the last two years, Martin has blasted 23 homers, driven in 73 runs, piled up 43 victories and struck out 350 batters for the Hornets. She helped lead South Gibson to the program's first ever Sectional Championship as well as its first appearance in the Tennessee State Tournament in 2015. Martin has earned numerous honors over the past three seasons, including being named to the TSCA Class AA All-State team as a sophomore and a junior. She was also named a TSCA All-Academic performer in 2015. Martin chose Tennessee over Florida, Missouri and Washington.
Thrall, Texas
Thrall HS | Pitcher/Utility
