Michigan State announces 2015 recruits

by TopDrawerSoccer
February 5, 2015

Michigan State women's head soccer coach Tom Saxton announced Wednesday that five student-athletes will make up the incoming class of 2015. This class features two student-athletes from the state of Texas and three from the state of Michigan. Michaela Kovacs (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville), Sabrina Marx (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands), Reilley Ott (Grapevine, Texas/Grapevine), Brittany Tanner (Caledonia, Mich./East Kentwood) and Alexis Warner (Ypsilanti, Mich./Gabriel Richard) will all be joining the Spartans this fall.

"We are delighted to welcome a very talented incoming 2015 class," Saxton said. "Each of these student-athletes comes from a strong club and/or high school soccer background and they are well prepared to make a quick transition to the college game. We have added important ability and depth at each part of the line-up: in goal, defense, midfield and upfront. This group will play a key role in our team in the years ahead."

Michaela Kovacs
Hometown: Hudsonville, Mich.
High School: Hudsonville High School
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Club Team: Grand Rapids Crew Club

Kovacs will come to East Lansing with plenty of success and leadership experience. The incoming freshman was a five-year captain with her club team, the Grand Rapids Crew. Kovacs led her team in goals in 2014 and was also a vital part of the team's 2013 State Cup title run. The midfielder was also a standout at Hudsonville High School where she earned first team All-State, all-region and all- conference in 2014. The Hudsonville, native enjoyed success at the ODP regional level, along with incoming freshman Brittany Tanner, and was a longtime ODP state level team member. Not only did Kovacs excel on the field for the Eagles but she has also shined in the classroom. She was the 2013 and 2014 Scholar-Athlete Award recipient after accumulating a 3.95 overall GPA.

Saxton on Kovacs...

"Michaela is an outstanding center midfielder with great experience at the high school, club and Olympic Development level. She captained the Region II ODP team, which is a great honor. Michaela is a difference-maker both offensively and defensively and we expect her to have an immediate impact."

Sabrina Marx
Hometown: The Woodlands, Texas
High School: The Woodlands High School
Position: Midfielder
Club Team: Texas Rush ECNL Club

Marx is a multi-sport high school athlete that will bring size and physicality to the Spartans midfield. The Woodlands, Texas, native led her high school team in assists and was second in total points in her junior season playing the midfield and forward positions. Marx also played AAU basketball for the Nike Elite Club out of Houston through her sophomore year in high school. Off the pitch, Marx earned Academic All-State honors in 2014.

Saxton on Marx...

"Sabrina is a fine player with great speed and ability. She comes from an excellent club background with the Texas Rush. We look for her to help us in wide areas both in attack and defense."

Reilley Ott
Hometown: Grapevine, Texas
High School: Grapevine High School
Position: Goalkeeper
Club Team: D'Feeters ECNL Club

Ott is the lone goalkeeper in the class for the Spartans in 2015. The Grapevine, Texas native spent eight seasons with D'feeters '98 Soccer Club making it to the ECNL National Championship game in 2014. Ott was also part of the Olympic Development Program at the regional level and participated in tournaments in San Juan, Costa Rica and Boca Raton, Florida. Ott is considered one of the top goaltenders in the country for the class of 2015 and is ranked the No. 9 goalkeeper in the nation and No. 10 player in Texas by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Saxton on Ott...

"Reilley is one of the top goalkeeper prospects in the country and we are very happy to have her join our program. She plays club soccer for the D'Feeters in Dallas, one of the best in the nation. We expect Reilly to have an immediate impact and follow in the tradition of great Michigan State goalkeeping."

Brittany Tanner
Hometown: Caledonia, Mich.
High School: East Kentwood High School
Position: Forward
Club Team: Grand Rapids Crew Club

Tanner's playing experience coupled with her outstanding academic accomplishments make her a strong pick-up for the class of 2015. The forward is a four-year member of the Grand Rapids Crew, where she won a Midwest Region League State title in 2013. She had a significant career with both the ODP state, and most recently, regional teams. Tanner attended East Kentwood High School where she earned all-conference and all-district in her freshman and sophomore seasons. Tanner was also one of the top students in her class, finishing with a 4.0 GPA and a MHSAA Student-Athlete Scholarship nomination.

Saxton on Tanner...

"We feel very fortunate to have signed Brittany. She is coming back into form from a serious injury and her game looks great. She has been one of the top young forwards in her age group throughout her youth career. Brittany has a great understanding of playing with her back to goal and most-importantly knows how to finish her chances."

Alexis Warner

Hometown: Ypsilanti, Mich.
High School: Gabriel Richard High School
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club Team: Michigan Hawks ECNL

Warner will come to East Lansing with a wealth of playing experience at the highest level of youth soccer. The Ypsilanti, Michigan native competed at the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) level for five seasons and served as a captain for the Michigan Hawks from 2011-2013. Warner was also a standout at Gabriel Richard High School where she was named to the Michigan High School All-Regional Team and All-District Team in 2012. Off the pitch, Warner volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and Michigan Hawks Youth Academy while also achieving a 3.95 GPA.

Saxton on Warner...

"Alexis is and outstanding player with incredible versatility. She has experience at every position on the field other than in goal and has proven this at a very high level. Her ability to play anywhere, combined with a desire to always get better, will help make her a very valuable player for our program."

Trending Videos
 
IMG Academy Top 150 Rankings
see full ranking:
Boys Girls