KENNESAW, Ga. – Capitalizing on a 40-win season and postseason appearance last spring, Kennesaw State head coach Pete D'Amour and his staff announced on Wednesday (Nov. 8) the signing of six talented players to National Letters-of-Intent during the early signing period.
 
The versatile group, which will enroll at Kennesaw State next fall, includes three infielders, two outfielders and a pitcher.
 
The list of signees includes Faith Alexander (Chattanooga, Tenn. / Gordon Lee HS), Taylor Cates (Canton, Ga. / Cherokee HS), Mattison Cheek (Hiram, Ga. / South Paulding HS), Katie Greep (Glendora, Calif. / St. Lucy's Priory's HS), Denise Teague (Lilburn, Ga. / Parkview HS) and Kylie Vannavong (McDonough, Ga. / Eagles Landing HS).
 
"We started recruiting this class last year with virtually a clean slate and we couldn't be more excited with how it turned out," second-year head coach Pete D'Amour said. "We are adding speed, power, hitting for average, and pitching. All of these athletes play above average to very good defense, and we are most excited about how they play the game. They are all gamers who play with an edge, and are coming to Kennesaw State to compete for championships and get an education."
 
The Following is a capsule on each signee.

Faith Alexander (SS, Chattanooga, Tenn., Gordon Lee HS)
A standout performer at Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga, Ga. . . . Helped the Trojans to three straight (2015, 2016, 2017) Georgia state championships . . . Two-time all-state and Walker County Dream Team selection as a sophomore and junior . . . Also selected Best of Preps and first team all-region in 2015 and 2016 . . . Batted .466 out of the leadoff spot with 64 runs scored and 52 stolen bases as a sophomore . . . Hit .467 with three doubles, seven triples and one home run while totaling 20 RBIs, 47 runs scored and 33 stolen bases during junior season . . . Earned first team all-region and Co-Freshman of the Year accolades in 2014 . . . A 4.0 student and member of the National Honor Society . . . Plans to major in biology. 
 
Taylor Cates (2B, 5-7, Canton, Ga., Cherokee HS)
A four-year letter winner at Cherokee High School in Canton, Ga. . . . Concluded prep career as the Warriors' career record holder in home runs (23), triples (14), slugging percentage (.693) and RBIs (149) . . . Named to the Georgia Dugout All-State Team after establishing school single-season records for home runs (13) and slugging percentage (.921) as a senior . . . Also garnered Region 4AAAAAAA first team accolades . . . 2016 Region 4AAAAAAA and Cherokee Tribune All-County Player of the Year, and all-state as a junior . . . An All-American USA Elite Select honoree . . . Totaled a single-season school record 50 RBIs en route to earning team Most Valuable Player and Slugger awards . . . An academic scholar-athlete . . . All-state honorable mention, Cherokee Tribune All-County and first team all-region selection as a sophomore . . . Also honored with MVP and Slugger awards . . . Cherokee High's Rookie of the Year as a freshman . . . High school coach is former Kennesaw State softball player Tonya Carlisle . . . Played with Georgia Power Tuñón Demarini Gold club team and was named 2014 and 2017 Offensive Player of the Year.   
 
Mattison Cheek (P, 5-10, Hiram, Ga., South Paulding HS)
A four-year letter winner and two-time 5AAAAAA Region first team selection while prepping at South Paulding High School in Douglasville, Ga. . . . Georgia Dugout All-State selection and honored with the Spartan Award as a senior . . . Tabbed best defensive infielder as a sophomore and junior . . . Posted a .983 fielding percentage . . . Honorable mention 5AAAAA All-Region in 2015 . . . A member of the National Honor Society and a scholar-athlete . . . Played for Team Georgia and Georgia Impact club teams . . . Plans to major in exercise science. 
 
Katie Greep (OF, 5-9, Glendora, Calif., St. Lucy's Priory HS)
A four-year letter winner in softball and tennis at St. Lucy's Priory High School in Glendora, Calif. . . . Enters senior campaign as the Roarie's career leader in average (.376) and on-base percentage (.423) . . . A three-time All-Baseline League and two-time All-San Gabriel Valley Tribune Team selection . . . Advanced to CIF semifinals and finished fourth in the southern California Division 2 section . . . A four-time All-Baseline League selection in tennis . . . Named the Rory Regent Freshman of the Year . . . Played for Cal Thunder, Explosion Flores and Explosion Betancourt club teams . . . Competed at Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals four consecutive years . . . Plans to major in mechanical engineering.
 
Denise Teague (INF/OF, 4-11, Lilburn, Ga., Parkview HS)
Prepped at Parkview High School in Lilburn, Ga. . . . Earned All-Gwinnett County and Player of the Month honors as a senior . . . Tabbed Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore . . . Selected team Most Valuable Player as a freshman . . . Played for Atlanta Vipers-Moore '00 . . . Participated in Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Nationals five consecutive years and Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals in 2016 and 2017 . . . Helped team to a first place finish at the 2017 18U USA Elite Select Gold Cup, 2016 16U ASA/USA JO Cup and 2017 16U Scenic City Showcase Super Pool . . . Plans to major in sports medicine.
 
Kylie Vannavong (CF, SS, 5-5, McDonough, Ga., Eagle's Landing HS)
Four-year starter and letter winner at Eagle's Landing High School in McDonough, Ga. . . . A three-time all-region and Henry Daily Herald All-Henry County selection . . .  Also a three-time team Most Valuable Player and nominee for Henry County Athlete of the Year . . . Led Class 4A, Region 4 in runs scored, second in stolen bases, and third in batting average and on-base percentage as a freshman . . . Has enjoyed a standout career playing for Atlanta Vipers club team . . . Team captured the Scenic City Showcase Super Pool 16U title for 2017-18 and finished third at the USSSA Elite Select World Series Championship in Kansas City, Ks. in 2017 . . . Team will compete in the USSSA Elite Gold Cup series in 2017-18 . . . A 4.0 student and member of the National Honor Society.
 
"This class is continuing to show that Kennesaw State is garnering respect around the country with recruits and coaches for the way we're going about our business," D'Amour said. "Hopefully, we're getting a reputation for doing things the right way, providing a good overall experience, and players leaving here better than when they arrived. As always, I want to thank the incoming recruits and their families for putting their faith in me, our coaching staff, and our program."
 
Kennesaw State will open its 2018 season Feb. 9 against Arkansas at the Lion Classic hosted by Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond, La.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State softball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
   
 

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