WASHINGTON (September 10, 2020) – Howard University softball head coach Tori Tyson added seven newcomers to the Bison family, including three inside the circle and a pair of transfers from the Big Ten.
 
"I am very excited about this entire incoming class," said Tyson. "I can't wait until they can get to work with our returners. I am excited about the combination of experience and youth in this class and their ability to fill the needs we had in our abbreviated season."
 
Here is more information on the seven newcomers in alphabetical order by last name:
 
Kiana Carr (University of Maryland/Phoenix, Ariz.) – RHP
 
Carr, a Phoenix native, brings valuable leadership to the softball program. Already a decorated student-athlete at Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC), the right-handed pitcher earned numerous accolades during the 2018 campaign, including ACCAC Female Athlete of the Year, ACCAC Pitcher of the Year and Junior College NFCA All-American.
 
"We are looking forward to Kiana making an immediate impact to what was a very young, inexperienced staff," said Tyson. "She is bringing a wealth of knowledge and talent she acquired competing in the Big Ten and I believe that will make our staff better overall."
 
After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, Carr joins the Bison family with numerous academic accolades, including All-Big Ten Academic and All-American Academic honors.
 
"On top of her presence on the field, Kiana is an extremely bright young woman who will begin her master's program at Howard," Tyson added. "Her drive off the field will fit right in with the highly academic driven students we have on our team."
 
In 2020, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rolled out its 2020 Softball All-Academic Team where HU saw a league-leading 15 Bison land on the list: Kalita Dennis (Elk Grove, Calif.), Trinity Gibbs (Kissimmee, Fla.), Zaria Hall (Homestead, Fla.), Maxie Harrington (Vacaville, Calif.), Sienna Herrera (Corona, Calif.), Sydney Hixenbaugh (Millstone, N.J.), Jackie Jones (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Noel Merritt (Detroit), Camille Navarro (Los Angeles), Ayana Sallee (Chesapeake, Va.), Mackenzie Soper (Fresno, Calif.), Shayna Swanson (Sammamish, Wash.), Monica Thompson (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Kamryn Tillman (Snellville, Ga.) and Rajaa Wilcox (Drexel Hill, Pa.).
 
Taylore Edwards (Sierra Vista H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.) – SS/UTL
 
Edwards attended Sierra Vista High School where she achieved a career .402 batting average, including a .571 hitting mark to end last season.
 
"Taylore is a very special student-athlete," Tyson stated. "She will be very fun to watch, and she can play anywhere on the field. She will provide some much-needed speed and defensive depth to our team.
 
The Las Vegas native led Sierra Vista to back-to-back Southwest League titles (2017 & 2018) while being named 2017 Defensive Player of the Year. She also earned Southwest League 4A First Team and Second Team honors, respectively, in 2017 and 2018.
 
"So much upside with this one," Tyson added. "I truly believe we will be talking about her for many years to come! She will be fun to watch."
 
Emari Evans (Shadow Ridge H.S./Buckeye, Ariz.) – RHP
 
Evans comes to Howard after a highly decorated career at Shadow Ridge High School where she earned 2019 5A All-Region First Team, followed by All-District First Team distinction. In addition, the Arizona product completed the first perfect game in school history during the 2020 season.
 
"Emari Evans is an amazing young woman that I have had the pleasure of recruiting," Tyson commented. "She is one of the hardest working student-athletes I have ever recruited, and that work ethic has shown on and off the field. I am excited to see this young woman flourish at Howard."
 
Academically, Evans was named to the Principal's Honor Roll during her four-year tenure at Shadow Ridge. Also, she was an active member within the school's National Honor Society and earned 6A All-Academic distinction.
 
"She will provide much needed depth in the circle," Tyson continued. "She joins a staff that's eager to raise the bar. I think she will be a great addition."
 
Sydni Jones (Gahr H.S./Whittier, Calif.) – OF
 
Jones hails from Whittier, Calif., where she was a four-year varsity starter, including a three-year team captain for the Gladiators. During her tenure, Jones helped clinch four San Gabriel Valley League titles and provided a game-winning RBI in the California Interscholastic Federation Semifinal game.
 
"Sydni Jones is going to be a force," Tyson expressed. "She is well trained and played in some big softball games throughout her playing career. She will compete in the outfield, but we may even catch a glimpse of her in the infield with her experience starting at second in high school."
 
Jones helped clinch top-10 finishes with the Corona Angels in the Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals during the 2016 and 2017 campaigns.
 
"We are so excited to have Sydni's skill-set," Tyson added. "She will be an excellent addition to our line-up with her abilities to hit for power and speed in the short game."
 
Academically, the outfielder was named to Gahr's Honor Roll all four years.
 
Maya Morris (Slinger H.S./Slinger, Wis.) – RHP
 
Morris arrives from Slinger, Wis., where she was named the 2019 North Shore Conference and Washington County Player of the Year. The pitcher also garnered All-Conference First Team honors twice (2018 & 2019) and 2019 All-State Second Team recognition.
 
"I am so excited about Ms. Maya," Tyson exclaimed. "She is a hidden gem from the Midwest, and I am very excited that she is going to be a Bison. I look forward to having her join our staff and bring a much-needed new look."
 
Morris rounded out her achievements with All-District First Team honors (2017-2019).
 
"Look for her to make an immediate impact this year," Tyson ended. "I would keep an eye on this one."
 
Savanna Rainey (University of Wisconsin/Madison, Wis.) – C/UTL
 
After redshirting her freshman year at the University of Wisconsin due to an injury, Rainey transfers to Howard looking to make an immediate impact.
 
The Wisconsin native produced a rewarding resume at Verona Area High School that includes three MVP Defense Golden Glove Awards, a MVP Offense Award, NBC Athlete of the Week honors and Verona Press Athlete of the Week recognition.
 
"I'm so excited for Savanna to begin her time here at Howard," Tyson stated. "She had a decorated high school and travel ball career. Her college career got off to a rough start battling injuries, but I'm so excited that Howard University will be her final home. I truly believe she will thrive here."
 
Rainey served as a four-year starter and a two-year captain for Verona. During her sophomore year, the catcher helped lead her team to the WIAA State Tournament. The following season, Rainey led the conference with 43 RBIs, 10 home runs and 10 doubles. She also earned four All-Conference, three All-Area and District and a pair of All-State honors with the Wildcats.
 
"She will add much needed depth to our catching unit," Tyson continued. "She will help our pitchers grow as she served an important role in the bullpen with a Wisconsin team that had an incredible post-season run. Also, she brings more power to our lineup which will protect some of our top hitters (Dennis, Navarro, Xzarria Simmons, Camille Navarro and Luz Aguilasocho)."
 
Rainey had an exceptional travel ball career, highlighted by her selection as a Premier Girls Fastpitch High School All-American (Central Region).
 
Ariana Whatley (Chattanooga, Tenn./Girls Preparatory School) – UTL
 
A skilled utility player with many accolades, Whatley adds depth for the Bison. She was named the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) state runner-up for three consecutive years and received middle/east all-region honors. Additionally, Whatley earned the Laura Hold Outstanding Athlete Award during her junior year, which recognizes the top junior athlete at a girl's preparatory school.
 
"Beyond giving us another powerful lefty hitter in the line-up, I'm excited for Ari's excellence in the classroom," Tyson explained. "She is truly a special young woman and we'll hear her name a lot in the next four years on and off the field and in the community."
 
Whatley was a two-year member of the Beta Club and the National Spanish Honor Society.
 
"Ari will compete at first base and in the outfield," Tyson added. "I am excited for her to grow under Xzarria Simmons at first and give us more depth at that corner."
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.