Tech soccer announces signings of eight incoming freshmen
Less than a month after the conclusion of another title-winning campaign for the Tennessee Tech soccer team, the Golden Eagles already have an eye on the future with the addition of eight incoming freshmen during the annual National Letter of Intent Signing Day.
By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Less than a month after the conclusion of another title-winning campaign for the Tennessee Tech soccer team, the Golden Eagles already have an eye on the future with the addition of eight incoming freshmen during the annual National Letter of Intent Signing Day.
TTU head coach Corey Boyd and his staff announced the signings of Eva Baker, Halle Bibee, Sophie Ham, Phoebe Lott, Claire Nappier, Mary Kinsley Nye, Brooke Sauers and Presley Williams, who will officially throw on the purple and gold in the fall of 2025 for a program that is fresh off a third-consecutive Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championship.
"Our 2025 class is a really exciting group of players with great personalities on and off the pitch," head coach Corey Boyd said, on the club's additions. "When putting together this group we knew we were not losing a lot of players in 2025, but what we knew we needed was more competition throughout the squad and we believe this group of players will do just that. This class will make us deeper and stronger in many positions, and we look forward to the challenge of continuing to grow, push and elevate our program even further. We just want to keep getting better in everything we do both athletically and academically and do that with the right kind of people."
Eva Baker (pictured left) will join the Golden Eagle ranks as a versatile player that suited up at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tenn. As a defender and midfielder, Baker helped guide her team to a district, regional and sub-state championship to go along with an appearance in the state finals. Individually, the Johnson City native was a multiple all-conference and all-region recipient. Baker was also a member of FC Alliance ECNL 07G and 865 Alliance WPSL in the club circuit.
"Eva Baker is a multifunctional player that can play as a midfielder, fullback or center back," Boyd remarked. "She is just a really good athlete with great pace as well as a hardworking mentality and intensity that shows up in her play."
Halle Bibee (pictured right)
will become one of the newest Golden Eagles after an impressive high-school run at Bearden High School in nearby Knoxville. As an all-state, all-region, all-conference and Offensive Player of the Year award winner, Bibee helped guide her squad to three state titles, four region championship and four district crowns. As a senior, the Knoxville product scored 25 goals. Bibee was also a started for FC Alliance 06 ECNL.
"Halle Bibbee is a very athletic player that performs well out wide," Boyd said. "She can be a lockdown defender in 1v1 battles, or player as winger that can create and get in behind with her strength and speed."
Sophie Ham (pictured left) comes to Cookeville after a strong high-school tenure at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn. During Ham's stint, she helped lead her team to a region title all four years to go along with a state runner-up appearance in 2022. The incoming freshman also excelled within the club ranks as a member of Collierville Lobos.
"Sophie Ham is a really quick and technical fullback who can play anywhere across the backline and even as a winger," Boyd claimed. Sophie is strong on the ball and has a really good delivery into the box."
Phoebe Lott (pictured right) will throw on the purple and gold this fall following an impressive career at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tenn. where she put together an impressive resume that saw Lott earn all-state recognition and District MVP honors as a senior. The Franklin native was also a multiple all-region and all-district performer that helped guide her group to four district titles, three region championships and two state finals appearances. From a club perspective, Lott was a member of Tennessee SC ECNL.
"Phoebe Lott is a really tall midfielder with great size and a good technical profile," Boyd said. "She will continue to grow in our program and provide us with much needed depth and ability to win 50/50's in the midfield."
A two-sport athlete who lettered in basketball for two years at Auburn High School in Auburn, Ala., Claire Nappier (pictured left) will join Tech next fall following an impressive high-school showing that saw her claim two all-state honorable mentions as well as a 2024 North South All-State All-Star accolade. A captain in both basketball and soccer, Nappier helped guide her squad to a 2024 state championship to go along with three straight region titles and an AHS state finalist appearance in 2023.
Nappier collected 25 goals and 57 assists throughout her career, which included a 12-goal, 24-assist campaign as a junior. The Auburn product was also named all-area in basketball and was a member of Concorde Fire and Alabama FC.
"Claire Nappier is an athletic forward with a tough mentality," Boyd asserted. "She will be a physical presence that will work really hard. Her athleticism will give us more competition across our frontline."
A three-sport athlete that took aim in basketball and track in addition to soccer at Madison Academic Magnet High School in Jackson, Tenn., Mary Kinsley Nye (pictured right) heads to the Upper Cumberland after a memorable high-school career that saw her claim multiple all-state accolades to go along with Region and District Tournament MVP honors.
Nye posted 93 goals and 41 assists in high school, helping lead her team to four district titles, four region crowns and four state playoff appearances. The Jackson native was also a three-time all-district basketball player and a state champion in the 4x200 in track. From a club perspective, suited up for FCA, Canva Club and NHS where she was took home a series of all-state honors. Nye was also part of the Olympic Development Program for six years.
The incoming freshman is the younger sister of Meredith Nye, who just wrapped up a memorable Golden Eagle career as the OVC's only five-time all-conference performer.
"Mary Kinsley Nye is a familiar name, who is a hardworking player that will likely play defensive midfield for us," Boyd remarked. "She has deceptive pace, really good strength and uses her body well. Her addition will add great depth to our midfield. She has the mentality to keep improving and that is something we want in our program."
A four-year starter at Parkview High School in Lilburn, Ga., Brooke Sauers (pictured left) capped off her career as a multiple all-state, all-county and all-region performer. As a team captain, Sauers helped guide her team to the state playoffs all four years. As far as the club ranks are concerned, the Snellville, Ga. native suited up with Concorde Fire ECNL in Atlanta.
"Brooke Sauers is a really technical center back," Boyd said. "She steps into the midfield well, has good vision and the ability to break lines will her passing. She should add good depth to our strong center back position."
Presley Williams (pictured right) rounds out Tech's signee class with all-state and all-district distinction during her days at Collierville High School in Collierville, Tenn. With 31 goals and 42 assists throughout her career, Williams played a pivotal role in leading her team to a district and region championship as well as appearances in the state playoff all four years, taking home all-tournament honors in the 2023 state tourney. From a club perspective, the Memphis product suited up of 07 Lady Lobos where she made the regional, national and international teams.
"Presley Williams is a shifty and quick technical attacking midfielder," Boyd claimed. "She has a nose for goal and drives really well with the ball. We are excited about what she can bring to our midfield."
