University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Andrew Bruckse/Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Welcomes Six Newcomers on National Signing Day
November 11, 2020 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball inked six newcomers, who will make their debut in the 2022 season, during the National Signing period this week.
The Lady Vols incoming class is ranked the 12th-best recruiting class in the nation by Extra Innings Softball and is headlined by Santa Clarita, Calif., native Grace Keene. Keene is 1-of-4 players from the group named to both the Extra Innings Softball Extra Elite 100 List and Softball America's 2021 Top 100 Recruiting Rankings.
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Keene is tied for 13th in the country among infielders and 16th overall. She is also listed 33rd on SA's Top 100 chart. While playing for Saugus High School, she was named the 2019 Foothill League Player of the Year and recognized on the 2019 All-State First Team.
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Two additional California natives are also headed to Rocky Top including middle infielder Lair Beautae (Riverside, Calif.) tied for 16th among infielders and 19th overall on EIS's top 100 list, and Keene's high school teammate, McKenna Gibson (Valencia, Calif.), whose play at the corners has made her a top-25 infielder and inside the top 30 overall nationally. Beautae and Gibson are ranked 55th and 76th on SA's Top 100 list, respectively.
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Beautae led John W. North to the California Interscholastic Federation state championship in 2018 to mark the first time in 10 seasons the program had earned a bid.
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Gibson had a standout year for Saugus in 2019 when she was named first-team all-conference, All-Santa Clarita Valley, all-area and the offensive player of the year before tacking on the Top Club Nationals 18U title with Athletics Mercado club team.
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The lone outfielder of the class, Katie Taylor (Newnan, Ga.) is tied as a top-ranked outfielder and is ranked 24th overall (EIS). She ranks 84th on Softball America's Top 100 chart. Taylor led her East Coweta High School team to a 7A state title in 2020. Taylor was also inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior.
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Also coming from the west coast, Seattle native Nicola Simpson will add depth to the Lady Vols pitching corps. Simpson was named a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American in 2019 and "Washington's Top Ace" by Scorebook Live in 2020. She led her team to a state championship in 2019 and has thrown nine no-hitters and has held batters to a .105 OBA.
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Rounding out the early signee class is in-state standout Olivia Underwood (Madisonville, Tenn.). Simpson was named the District 5AA Offensive Player of the Year and All County Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman, before earning District 5AA Defensive Player of the Year and Monroe County Co-MVP in 2019 as a sophomore.
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Equally impressive in the classroom, the catcher/infielder is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and a Washington Youth Tour Writing Competition winner. She was also recognized for her academic achievement by the Tennessee Softball Coaches Association in 2020.
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"These six student-athletes represent one of the most well-rounded classes we've ever recruited to wear the Orange," said co-head coach Karen Weekly. "Their abilities cover every position on the field, as we've added depth at pitcher, catcher, corners, middle infield and outfield. These talented players also possess a terrific blend of speed and power which will fit well within our offensive philosophy.
"Most important, they are high achievers in the classroom whose priorities align with our commitment to academics. Ralph and I look forward to coaching and developing these young women."
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I chose University of Tennessee because I grew up watching them. When I first started playing softball, I used
to tell my family that I was going to play on their field one day. They also have a really good communications and
broadcasting program along with a great ASL program.Â
Karen Weekly: "Lair is an exceptional athlete and explosive softball player. She can change a game with her
glove, her bat, or her speed. Her versatility allows her to play middle infield and outfield equally well. She loves
the big moment and is at her best in pressure situations."
I loved the family atmosphere, the campus is beautiful, and I was looking for a place that had all four seasons.
KW: "McKenna is one of the best pure hitters we've seen in the travel softball ranks. She's a high-average hitter
who uses the entire field. Since she committed, she has continued to get stronger and further develop her power
game. She's a corner player for one of the top club programs in the country and knows how to win."
As soon as I walked on campus, I knew the University of Tennessee was home. The atmosphere on campus
was nothing like any other schools I had visited. The Weeklys are amazing and I cannot wait to get to play for
them. They run such a great program that I am ecstatic to be a part of.
KW:Â "Grace and McKenna played together for many years and were affectionately known as the 'Twin Towers.'
They're both close to 6-0 tall and strike an imposing presence at the corners and in the batter's box. Grace has
a big bat and I expect her to make a run at every power record during her career at Tennessee.She has an
infectious personality and is a lot of fun to be around."
To play softball at the highest level and learn from Hall of Fame coaches who value academic, is why I chose
Tennessee.Â
KW: "Nicola has such an intelligent and thoughtful approach to the game. She is incredibly mature and understands
that greatness is in the details. She's won state championships and knows what it takes to lead a team both on
and off the field. Nicola will be a great addition to our pitching staff."
I chose to attend UT because of everything it stands for. It has always been a dream of mine to play
softball at the highest level and to be able to attend a school that will best prepare me for life after
softball. UT just feels like home. I knew it the minute I stepped on campus the first time.
KW: "Katie has been around winning her entire high school career. She played for one of the top travel ball
programs in the country and this fall won a Georgia state high school championship with perennial power East
Coweta. She's a speedy outfielder with a great glove who can change a game with one swing of her bat."
I chose Tennessee because of its academic opportunities, and its long successful softball history. Tennessee
just feels like home.
KW:Â "Olivia is one of the best catchers we've recruited to Tennessee. She's quick and athletic with a big-time
arm. She has the versatility to play other positions as well. Growing up just down the road from campus,
Olivia has a lifelong passion for the Big Orange."
The Lady Vols incoming class is ranked the 12th-best recruiting class in the nation by Extra Innings Softball and is headlined by Santa Clarita, Calif., native Grace Keene. Keene is 1-of-4 players from the group named to both the Extra Innings Softball Extra Elite 100 List and Softball America's 2021 Top 100 Recruiting Rankings.
Â
Keene is tied for 13th in the country among infielders and 16th overall. She is also listed 33rd on SA's Top 100 chart. While playing for Saugus High School, she was named the 2019 Foothill League Player of the Year and recognized on the 2019 All-State First Team.
Â
Two additional California natives are also headed to Rocky Top including middle infielder Lair Beautae (Riverside, Calif.) tied for 16th among infielders and 19th overall on EIS's top 100 list, and Keene's high school teammate, McKenna Gibson (Valencia, Calif.), whose play at the corners has made her a top-25 infielder and inside the top 30 overall nationally. Beautae and Gibson are ranked 55th and 76th on SA's Top 100 list, respectively.
Â
Beautae led John W. North to the California Interscholastic Federation state championship in 2018 to mark the first time in 10 seasons the program had earned a bid.
Â
Gibson had a standout year for Saugus in 2019 when she was named first-team all-conference, All-Santa Clarita Valley, all-area and the offensive player of the year before tacking on the Top Club Nationals 18U title with Athletics Mercado club team.
Â
The lone outfielder of the class, Katie Taylor (Newnan, Ga.) is tied as a top-ranked outfielder and is ranked 24th overall (EIS). She ranks 84th on Softball America's Top 100 chart. Taylor led her East Coweta High School team to a 7A state title in 2020. Taylor was also inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior.
Â
Also coming from the west coast, Seattle native Nicola Simpson will add depth to the Lady Vols pitching corps. Simpson was named a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American in 2019 and "Washington's Top Ace" by Scorebook Live in 2020. She led her team to a state championship in 2019 and has thrown nine no-hitters and has held batters to a .105 OBA.
Â
Rounding out the early signee class is in-state standout Olivia Underwood (Madisonville, Tenn.). Simpson was named the District 5AA Offensive Player of the Year and All County Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman, before earning District 5AA Defensive Player of the Year and Monroe County Co-MVP in 2019 as a sophomore.
Â
Equally impressive in the classroom, the catcher/infielder is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and a Washington Youth Tour Writing Competition winner. She was also recognized for her academic achievement by the Tennessee Softball Coaches Association in 2020.
Â
"These six student-athletes represent one of the most well-rounded classes we've ever recruited to wear the Orange," said co-head coach Karen Weekly. "Their abilities cover every position on the field, as we've added depth at pitcher, catcher, corners, middle infield and outfield. These talented players also possess a terrific blend of speed and power which will fit well within our offensive philosophy.
"Most important, they are high achievers in the classroom whose priorities align with our commitment to academics. Ralph and I look forward to coaching and developing these young women."
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What They're Saying...
I chose University of Tennessee because I grew up watching them. When I first started playing softball, I used
to tell my family that I was going to play on their field one day. They also have a really good communications and
broadcasting program along with a great ASL program.Â
Karen Weekly: "Lair is an exceptional athlete and explosive softball player. She can change a game with her
glove, her bat, or her speed. Her versatility allows her to play middle infield and outfield equally well. She loves
the big moment and is at her best in pressure situations."
I loved the family atmosphere, the campus is beautiful, and I was looking for a place that had all four seasons.
KW: "McKenna is one of the best pure hitters we've seen in the travel softball ranks. She's a high-average hitter
who uses the entire field. Since she committed, she has continued to get stronger and further develop her power
game. She's a corner player for one of the top club programs in the country and knows how to win."
As soon as I walked on campus, I knew the University of Tennessee was home. The atmosphere on campus
was nothing like any other schools I had visited. The Weeklys are amazing and I cannot wait to get to play for
them. They run such a great program that I am ecstatic to be a part of.
KW:Â "Grace and McKenna played together for many years and were affectionately known as the 'Twin Towers.'
They're both close to 6-0 tall and strike an imposing presence at the corners and in the batter's box. Grace has
a big bat and I expect her to make a run at every power record during her career at Tennessee.She has an
infectious personality and is a lot of fun to be around."
To play softball at the highest level and learn from Hall of Fame coaches who value academic, is why I chose
Tennessee.Â
KW: "Nicola has such an intelligent and thoughtful approach to the game. She is incredibly mature and understands
that greatness is in the details. She's won state championships and knows what it takes to lead a team both on
and off the field. Nicola will be a great addition to our pitching staff."
I chose to attend UT because of everything it stands for. It has always been a dream of mine to play
softball at the highest level and to be able to attend a school that will best prepare me for life after
softball. UT just feels like home. I knew it the minute I stepped on campus the first time.
KW: "Katie has been around winning her entire high school career. She played for one of the top travel ball
programs in the country and this fall won a Georgia state high school championship with perennial power East
Coweta. She's a speedy outfielder with a great glove who can change a game with one swing of her bat."
I chose Tennessee because of its academic opportunities, and its long successful softball history. Tennessee
just feels like home.
KW:Â "Olivia is one of the best catchers we've recruited to Tennessee. She's quick and athletic with a big-time
arm. She has the versatility to play other positions as well. Growing up just down the road from campus,
Olivia has a lifelong passion for the Big Orange."
SB | Karen Weekly, Karlyn Pickens, Taelyn Holley Postgame vs. Virginia (5.17.26)
Sunday, May 17
SB | Karen Weekly, Sage Mardjetko, Emma Clarke Postgame vs. Virginia (5.16.26)
Saturday, May 16
SB | Karen Weekly, Erin Nuwer, Elsa Morrison Postgame vs. Northern Kentucky (5.15.26)
Friday, May 15
SB | Karen Weekly Press Conference (5.5.26)
Tuesday, May 05
