Wake Forest Welcomes 12 on Signing Day

by TopDrawerSoccer
February 5, 2015

Wake Forest head women's soccer coach Tony da Luz announced the signing of 12 student-athletes in the 2015 class on Wednesday afternoon.

"This class is a great follow up class to our 2014 class. The incoming players will bring great versatility throughout, along with being fantastic character individuals. This class will have a big impact on the shape of our program going forward in 2015 and beyond. Our fans are in for a treat this fall."

The class includes six midfielders, three defenders, two forwards and one goalkeeper.

Wake Forest's signing class was ranked just outside the top 10 by TopDrawerSoccer, and No. 15 by AllWhiteKit.

Madison Baumgardner | 5-9 | Defender | Cincinnati, Ohio | Colerain HS | Kings Hammer Academy

Background:
Four-year soccer letterwinner ... Earned a trio of state cup titles ... Three-time Midwest Regional League champions ... Four-time first team All-GMC ... Named second team All-City in 2013, then first team and offensive player of the year in 2014 ... USYSA finalist in 2012 and 2013 ... Member of the ODP state team in 2011 ... Earned a first-place National League finish in 2012, finishing second in 2013 and 2014 ... Academic all-conference honoree all four years ... Club teammate of fellow Deacon Bayley Feist.

Personal: Daughter of Mark and Cindy Baumgardner ... Born October 23, 1996 ... Full name is Madison Christina Baumgardner.

Da Luz's take: "In Madison, we see an attacking outside back and also a great passer. She attacks for 90 minutes, is an aggressive tackler and can play on either side comfortably."

Club coach: "Madison brings a consistency and calm to the game not many players possess. She's a very gifted player that defends well and creates opportunities for the team going forward. Joining a program like Wake Forest is a wonderful fit for Madison." - Jon Pickup

Morgan Briggs | 5-4 | Midfielder | Knoxville, Tenn. | Knoxville Catholic HS | Knoxville FC

Background:
Compiled 80 assists in three seasons with Knoxville FC, leading the team each year ... Also scored 65 goals over those seasons ... Serves as a club team co-captain ... Scored both goals in the team's 2-0 D2 state championship win ... Helped team claim the East Ridge Adidas Cup title.

Personal:
Daughter of Rod and Maryann Briggs ... Born July 8, 1997 ... Full name is Morgan Blair Taylor Briggs ... Older brother, Blake, graduated from Wake Forest in 2013.

Da Luz's take: "Morgan is a versatile player and can compete at midfielder or defender. She has a strong left foot and we expect her to help our midfield depth."

Club coach: "We couldn't be happier for Morgan here at the Knoxville Football Club. Morgan is a fantastic young lady, a great soccer player, and a true competitor in every aspect of the word. She will bring a lot to a great program like Wake Forest, with her work rate and team-centered focus being a boost to the ACC powerhouse program." - Fields Brown

Bri Carney | 5-5 | Midfielder | Savannah, Ga. | Savannah Country Day | South Carolina United FC

Background:
Named the All-Greater Savannah Girls Soccer Player of the Year ... Totaled 25 goals and seven assists her junior season to lead the Hornets to the Class A state tournament semifinals ... Member of the 2012 Region III Pool ... Also a standout on the basketball court, earning four varsity letters in both hoops and soccer ... Named her high school team's MVP her sophomore and junior seasons.

Personal:
Daughter of David and Shari Carney ... Born October 14, 1997 ... Full name is Briana Nicole Carney.

Da Luz's take: "Bri is an elusive dribbler and sees passes that most players don't see. We envision her as a playmaker in the attacking midfield role, with great potential as she gets stronger."

Club coach: "Bri has been one of the most committed and determined players that our club has produced in my eight years. She's a soccer enthusiast with the training habits to go along with her creative passion, ability to break down defenders on the dribble, or slip in the final ball. She is a perfect fit for the Demon Deacons' program that plays an excellent style of soccer." - Kian Brownlee

Bayley Feist | 5-6 | Midfielder | Cincinnati, Ohio | Oak Hills HS | Kings Hammer Academy

Background:
Four-year letterwinner at Oak Hills High School under head coach Chuck Laumann ... Rated as a four-star, No. 127 recruit nationally by TopDrawerSoccer, and also the No. 46 forward ... Earned first team all-state honors ... Named all-conference four times and all-city twice ... Notched three state cup championships, and three Midwest Regional League championships ... Played club soccer for Kings Hammer Academy under coach Jon Pickup ... Finished in the top 11 at the national championship in 2012 and 2014 ... Named to the ODP state and regional teams from 2010-2014 ... Club teammate of fellow Deacon Madison Baumgardner.

Personal:
Daughter of Steve and Sue Feist ... Born March 14, 1997 ... Full name is Bayley Elizabeth Feist

Da Luz's take: "With Bailey, we're getting a dangerous attacking midfielder who never stops running. She brings great instincts for scoring goals, who is also incredibly effective and versatile and plays her heart out every game."

Club coach: "Bayley is a very gifted individual, technically very strong and can play multiple positions. She's a player who instantly stands out on the field and an individual everyone wants on their team. An attack-minded player from midfield with the ability to create and dictate the game with an instinctive eye for goal. I can't wait to see her play for Wake at the next level." - Jon Pickup

Nonie Frishette | 5-9 | Goalkeeper | Hermosa Beach, Calif. | Mira Costa HS | Beach FC

Background:
Earned the Golden Glove as the Most Outstanding Goalkeeper as her club team won the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championship ... Named to the Best XI at nationals in 2014 ... Member of the Beach WPSL national championship team in 2014 ... Member of the ODP pool in 2012 and 2013 ... First team All-Bay League in 2014 ... Rated as a three-star keeper by TopDrawerSoccer ... Earned four varsity letters in soccer.

Personal:
Daughter of Bill and Cynthia Frishette ... Born July 9, 1997 ... Full name is Winona Belle Frishette.

Da Luz's take: "In goal, Nonie is a fantastic athlete with great footwork and an aggressive mentality to attack the ball. With her endless work ethic, she will compete to be the starter."

Club coach: "Nonie is an outstanding keeper who has enjoyed a successful youth career. She is an elite competitor that possesses a strong will to win. She excels as a shot stopper, is comfortable dealing with crosses, and organizes well from within goal. Her passion for the game, coupled with her desire to continue to grow as a player will allow her to flourish at Wake Forest." - Anton Arrache

Walters Leigh Haynes | 5-6 | Midfielder | Birmingham, Ala. | Mountain Brook HS | Birmingham United SA

Background:
Rated as a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer ... Named to All-Metro Team and Alabama all-star team ... Finished as state runners-up in 2014 ... Member of the Region 3 player pool, ODP national training camp and ODP state team ... Team MVP at Mountain Brook HS ... Invited to US Soccer Federation training ... Club teammate of current Deacon Claudia Day.

Personal:
Daughter of Dr. Walter George Haynes III and Robin Walters Haynes ... Born August 3, 1997 ... Full name is Walters Leigh Haynes.

Da Luz's take: "Leigh can play anywhere on the field and holds the ball well under pressure. One of her most valuable traits is that she possesses a good soccer brain."

Club coach: "Leigh personifies all that is good about coaching high level youth players as she puts so much time into becoming a better player on her own. Her commitment to excellence on and off the field, and more importantly the consistency to do things the right way all the time will allow for her to be a great addition to the Wake Forest Program." - Andrew Brower

Elizabeth Kinkler | 5-5 | Forward | Mount Laurel, N.J. | Lenape HS | PDA Clash

Background:
Rated as the No. 121 recruit nationally, as a four-star recruit and the No. 43 forward by TopDrawerSoccer ... Played in the High School All-American game, being named to TopDrawerSoccer's Best XI ... Named Olympic Conference Player of the Year by NJ.Com Star Ledger, and the Burlington County Times Player of the Year ... First team all-state honoree ... Tallied 20 goals and 12 assists her senior season ... Team won state title in 2011, and were four-time South Jersey champions ... Named a Courier-Post Athlete of the Week in November, 2014 ... Scored 15 goals her junior year.

Personal:
Daughter of Fred and Ellen Kinkler ... Born April 1, 1997.

Da Luz's take: "Lizzy is a creative forward who loves to dribble 1v1 and combines with teammates very well. She has the ability to play anywhere on front line and score important goals, being a clutch player."

Club coach: "Lizzy possesses a relentless commitment to excel as a player with unmatched competitiveness at all times. I have no doubt she'll have a great career at Wake Forest." - Billy Bustamante

Dana Manning | 5-6 | Defender | Tampa, Fla. | Berkeley Preparatory | Tampa Bay United

Background:
Rated as a three-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer ... Earned five varsity letters in soccer and three in track & field ... Claimed the 2014 Florida State Cup championship ... Advanced to USYS regional finals and a third-place finish in the Region 3 Premier League ... In 2013, finished as runners-up in the State Cup, as well as at Disney and regionals ... Won WAGS Tournaments in 2012 and 203 ... Member of the ODP Region III Pool.

Personal:
Daughter of Daryl and Donna Manning ... Born June 5, 1996 ... Full name is Dana Monique Manning.

Da Luz's take: "Dana is a fast left back which can give us an attacking option from the left back position. She plays with a lot of energy and has a super positive personality."

Club coach: "Dana has been a great addition to our team because of her versatility and athletic ability. She embodies the characteristics of a true captain and has led our team by example on and off the field. I'm very excited about her future as a student-athlete at Wake Forest and have all the confidence that she will have a great college career because of her work ethic, dedication and determination to succeed." - Eddie Rodriguez

Peyton Perea | 5-8 | Midfielder | Riverside, Calif. | Riverside Poly HS | Legends FC

Background:
Spent time with the United States U14 and U15 National Team, and as a member of the U17 Player Pool ... Rated as the No. 28 recruit nationally by TopDrawerSoccer ... A four-star recruit, Perea is listed as the No. 9 midfielder ... Named an NSCAA Youth All-American in 2013 ... Claimed the 2012 US Youth National Soccer championship ... Won Region IV championships in 2013 and 2014 ... Member of the Cal South ODP State team from 2011-14, scoring a goal to help win the championship in 2014.

Personal:
Daughter of Christian and Ingrid Perea ... Born March 28, 1997 ... Full name is Peyton Leigh Perea ... Older sister, Channing, played soccer at New Mexico and California Baptist.

Da Luz's take: "Peyton is a defensive central midfielder who can dominate in her position. She has great technique, is a great passer and dangerous shooting from distance. Wake Forest fans can expect a tireless work ethic, who is very instinctual, a natural soccer player."

HS coach: "Wake Forest will be blessed with such a dedicated, hard-working athlete who is such a team player. She's one of the best and I know she will continue her success at the collegiate level. She's so fun to watch." - Jaimi Brewer

Kate Ravenna | 5-9 | Defender | West Harrison, Ind. | East Central HS | Fairfield Optimist SC

Background:
Named third team all-state in 2013 and second team all-state in 2012 ... Recognized as the county's defensive player of the year in 2013 and 2014 ... First team All-District 5 in 2013 and 2014 ... Member of the ODP Region II team in 2013 and 2014 ... Earned varsity letters in soccer and track.

Personal:
Daughter of Paul and Kelly Ravenna ... Born April 10, 1997.

Da Luz's take: "Kate is a left-footed centerback, tall and very athletic. We expect her to be a dangerous heading target on set pieces, and very simply a rock solid ACC defender."

Club coach: "Katie Ravenna has taken our team to another level. Her leadership and commitment to our team is unmatched. Off the field Kate became an instant hit, her outgoing personality and ability to handle whatever comes her way are great attributes to have on any team. I am proud of Katie and I wish her all the best at Wake Forest!" - Kurt Fischer

Reci Smith | 5-8 | Forward | Longmont, Colo. | Fairview HS | Real Colorado

Background:
Rated as a TopDrawerSoccer three-star recruit ... Tied the school record for goals in a year with 21 ... Enters her senior season 12 goals away from the program all-time record ... First team all-conference her sophomore and junior seasons ... Has also garnered all-state and all-region honors ... Reached the varsity state championship finals as a freshman ... Member of ODP Colorado teams from 2009-12 ... Competed at the Elite Clubs National League from 2012-15 ... Trained at the US Training Center from 2010-13 ... Earned an ODP Region IV Championship in Phoenix in 2012 ... Four-year soccer letterwinner.

Personal:
Daughter of Conley and Tami Smith ... Born March 5, 1997 ... Full name is Reci Rose Smith.

Da Luz's take: "Reci is an athletic forward who can cover lots of ground. She won't hesitate to attack from wide positions with speed and creativity."

HS coach: "Reci is one of the hardest-working and most genuine kids that I've had the pleasure of coaching. She's a selfless player, a tremendous leader, and great teammate. We'll be missing one of our finest next year." - Dan Niedringhaus

Haley Westervelt | 5-3 | Midfielder | Lexington, N.C. | Central Davidson HS | NC Fusion

Background:
Enters her senior season already very accomplished, having been named all-conference each of her first three seasons ... Also named all-region each year, as well as all-state in 2013 and 2014 ... Named the TopDrawerSoccer high school National Player of the Week in 2013 ... Holds her high school program's all-time assists record ... All-region Player of th Year in 2013 ... Member of NCODP Region III Camp from 2011-13 ... Played for the same club as current Deacon Kendall Fischlein.

Personal:
Daughter of Mark and Daria Westervelt ... Born June 10, 1997 ... Full name is Robin Haley Westervelt.

Da Luz's take: "Haley is extremely quick with the ball. She can play in the midfield or up front, and will provide a good change of speed."

Club coach: "Haley is a versatile player. For the 96 Fusion she has played outside back, center mid, and wide forward. She is intelligent, hard-working, and a team-first player. We wish her the best of luck as she moves on to be a Deacon." - Chad Lorentz

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