Richardson Announces 6 Liberty Softball Signees
11/13/2024 1:49:00 PM | Softball
Liberty Softball Head Coach Dot Richardson has announced the addition of six student-athletes to the Lady Flames' softball program for the 2025-26 academic year. Nahla Bigham, Abby Findlay, Dani Lee, Taryn Newton, Avery Noel and Victoria "Coco" Priebe have all signed commitments to attend Liberty and play softball at Liberty beginning in the Fall of 2025.
"This is one of the most talented classes to put on a Liberty Flame jersey," said Coach Richardson. "They love the Lord and want to honor Him by growing closer to Him and demonstrating to the world all the gifts that God has given them. I have extremely high hopes for this class to integrate into and even strengthen more our winning tradition of training Champions for Christ."
These six student-athletes join a team that has gone to the postseason each of the last six full seasons, including NCAA Regional finals appearances in both 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024 and nine total NCAA Regional game victories. Â
This upcoming class includes one player each from California, Florida, Kansas, Ontario, Virginia and West Virginia.
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Nahla Bigham (INF, Rustburg, Va./Rustburg High School)
A native of nearby Rustburg, Va., Nahla brings strong accolades to Liberty. Playing primarily at first base, she is a three-time first team All-District and All-Region selection, also being named to the All-State first team as both a sophomore and a junior. She hit .482 with a .929 slugging percentage, six homers and 29 RBI during her sophomore season before batting .438 with a .734 slugging percentage, three homers and 24 RBI last year. Also a standout in volleyball, she helped Rustburg win a state title in 2021. In volleyball, Bigham is a two-time all-state player, three-time all-district and two-time all-region.
Bigham will be the first second-generation Liberty Softball player, as her mom, Katie (Phillips) Bigham played for the Lady Flames from 1996-99 and was inducted into the Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. Nahla's older sister, Eden Bigham, currently pitches for Virginia.
Coach Richardson: "A local talent and legacy student-athlete. Nahla will bring a big stick to our offense. She is also an amazing individual who will bring leadership to our program. She will be able to make others laugh to lighten situations, as well as inspire others to pursue greatness."
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Abby Findlay (RHP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Maranatha Christian Academy)
Abby Findlay comes to Liberty from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she stars as a pitcher. This past season, she posted a 0.65 ERA with 379 strikeouts in 177 innings pitched, while also batting .460 with eight home runs. At the 2024 Canada Nationals, she pitched 16 innings, allowing five hits, five walks and one earned run while striking out 36 batters and holding opponents to an .098 batting average. Findlay's team has won three Ontario Provincial titles. She is a multi-sport athlete at Maranatha Christian Academy, also competing in basketball, volleyball, swimming, badminton and track & field. She finished fourth in the javelin at OFSAA Championships. Â Â Â
Her father, Lennon Findlay, played baseball at York University, while her uncle, Robbie Findlay, was a pitcher at TCU.
Coach Richardson: "A native Canadian right-handed pitcher. Abby will bring a dominant presence to the pitching circle. She has velocity and movement to keep opponents at bay. She is an extremely hard worker whose focus and intensity will help her excel at this high level. She is a force to be reckoned with and a game changer. She will impact the success of the team both on and off the field."
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Dani Lee (UTL, McLouth, Kan./McLouth High School)
Dani Lee excels as both a pitcher and a hitter, competing for McLouth High School. A three-time All-State player, she was voted first team as a sophomore before making the All-State Top 9 last year. Lee has helped her team win back-to-back state championships. She is a three-time NEKL All-League selection as both a pitcher and infielder. Lee has been named the Sports In Kansas Player of the Year each of the last two seasons. As a sophomore, she batted .620 with 11 homers and 62 RBI while going 12-0 with a 0.137 ERA and 119 strikeouts in the circle. Last year, she hit .659 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI while posting an 18-2 record, 0.707 ERA, 291 strikeouts and 14 walks and 128 2/3 innings.
Coach Richardson: "Dani Lee is an all-around athlete. Dani is competitive and has a servant heart. She has an enormous amount of talent and versatility. Dani can play anywhere on the field. She has an offensive presence that will bring power and consistency to the lineup. She is a born leader and will lift others up to experience much success." Â
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Taryn Newton (RHP, New Port Richey, Fla./James W. Mitchell High School)
Taryn Newton joins the Lady Flames as a standout pitcher for James W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Fla. A three-time all-conference pitcher, including two-time first team selection, Newton was named the conference pitcher of the year as a junior. A strong hitter as well, she hit .432 during her sophomore season, while posting a 0.91 ERA, 50 strikeouts and seven walks in 54 innings pitched. Last year, Newton hit .342 at the plate and fashioned a 1.90 ERA, 96 strikeouts and nine walks in 88 1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander also plays high school volleyball.
Her mother, Deanna Wilson, played softball and volleyball at Wester Oregon University, while her brother, Austin Newton, is a pitcher on the baseball team at South Florida.
Coach Richardson: "Taryn Newton is a talented student-athlete who will have a dominant presence in the pitching circle. Her potential is limitless. We look forward to helping her reach her full potential. She has an infectious personality which will inspire those around her. Taryn will be fun to watch as she takes that strong work ethic to help the team reach its goals."
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Avery Noel (INF, Ridgeley, W.Va./Frankfort High School)
A native of Ridgeley, W.Va., Avery Noel has produced a strong career for Frankfort High School. Noel has been named to the West Virginia AA All-State second team all three years of high school so far. A three-time All-PVC first team selection, Noel was voted the PVC Player of the Year as a sophomore. She has improved her batting average each year, from .489 as a freshman to .507 during her sophomore year and .554 last year.
Also a standout in volleyball and basketball, she is a four-time All-PVC first team member in volleyball, being named PVC Player of the Year and to the AA All-State special honorable mention.
Coach Richardson: "Avery Noel is an all-around talented student-athlete. She is a middle infielder who will bring speed, a good glove and consistent bat to the team. She stands out because of her athletic ability, consistency and drive to be the best. Her work ethic and drive to excel makes her an impact player.
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Victoria "Coco" Priebe (INF, Los Angeles, Calif./James A. Garfield High School)
Victoria (Coco) Priebe hails from Los Angeles, Calif., where she is the starting shortstop for James A. Garfield High School. Priebe has helped her team win a pair of DII LA City Section Championships. A three-time All-Eastern League player, she was voted to the first team twice. Priebe was a first team All-LA City selection as a junior, when her team finished second place at the Southern Regional Championship. She has received Athletic Achievement Awards three times, while also being a three-time Scholar-Athlete recipient. Priebe batted .784 during her freshman season.
Her sister, Sophia Priebe, plays softball at East Los Angeles College, while her cousin, Amira Villaneda, played at Cal State Fullerton.
Coach Richardson: "A California native, Coco will provide strength to the team as a middle infielder. She will bring her high softball IQ and competitive experience to the lineup. Her flashiness and play making ability will be fun to watch. She leaves it all on the field. Coco can inspire those around her and lead the way to achieving success."
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"This is one of the most talented classes to put on a Liberty Flame jersey," said Coach Richardson. "They love the Lord and want to honor Him by growing closer to Him and demonstrating to the world all the gifts that God has given them. I have extremely high hopes for this class to integrate into and even strengthen more our winning tradition of training Champions for Christ."
These six student-athletes join a team that has gone to the postseason each of the last six full seasons, including NCAA Regional finals appearances in both 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024 and nine total NCAA Regional game victories. Â
This upcoming class includes one player each from California, Florida, Kansas, Ontario, Virginia and West Virginia.
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Nahla Bigham (INF, Rustburg, Va./Rustburg High School)
A native of nearby Rustburg, Va., Nahla brings strong accolades to Liberty. Playing primarily at first base, she is a three-time first team All-District and All-Region selection, also being named to the All-State first team as both a sophomore and a junior. She hit .482 with a .929 slugging percentage, six homers and 29 RBI during her sophomore season before batting .438 with a .734 slugging percentage, three homers and 24 RBI last year. Also a standout in volleyball, she helped Rustburg win a state title in 2021. In volleyball, Bigham is a two-time all-state player, three-time all-district and two-time all-region.
Bigham will be the first second-generation Liberty Softball player, as her mom, Katie (Phillips) Bigham played for the Lady Flames from 1996-99 and was inducted into the Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. Nahla's older sister, Eden Bigham, currently pitches for Virginia.
Coach Richardson: "A local talent and legacy student-athlete. Nahla will bring a big stick to our offense. She is also an amazing individual who will bring leadership to our program. She will be able to make others laugh to lighten situations, as well as inspire others to pursue greatness."
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ÂWelcome to the Mountain, Nahla Bigham! ???? pic.twitter.com/0EZ9vx0DRs
— Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) November 13, 2024
Abby Findlay (RHP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Maranatha Christian Academy)
Abby Findlay comes to Liberty from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she stars as a pitcher. This past season, she posted a 0.65 ERA with 379 strikeouts in 177 innings pitched, while also batting .460 with eight home runs. At the 2024 Canada Nationals, she pitched 16 innings, allowing five hits, five walks and one earned run while striking out 36 batters and holding opponents to an .098 batting average. Findlay's team has won three Ontario Provincial titles. She is a multi-sport athlete at Maranatha Christian Academy, also competing in basketball, volleyball, swimming, badminton and track & field. She finished fourth in the javelin at OFSAA Championships. Â Â Â
Her father, Lennon Findlay, played baseball at York University, while her uncle, Robbie Findlay, was a pitcher at TCU.
Coach Richardson: "A native Canadian right-handed pitcher. Abby will bring a dominant presence to the pitching circle. She has velocity and movement to keep opponents at bay. She is an extremely hard worker whose focus and intensity will help her excel at this high level. She is a force to be reckoned with and a game changer. She will impact the success of the team both on and off the field."
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ÂWelcome to the Mountain, Abby Findlay! ???? pic.twitter.com/Ky7ksu9K9r
— Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) November 13, 2024
Dani Lee (UTL, McLouth, Kan./McLouth High School)
Dani Lee excels as both a pitcher and a hitter, competing for McLouth High School. A three-time All-State player, she was voted first team as a sophomore before making the All-State Top 9 last year. Lee has helped her team win back-to-back state championships. She is a three-time NEKL All-League selection as both a pitcher and infielder. Lee has been named the Sports In Kansas Player of the Year each of the last two seasons. As a sophomore, she batted .620 with 11 homers and 62 RBI while going 12-0 with a 0.137 ERA and 119 strikeouts in the circle. Last year, she hit .659 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI while posting an 18-2 record, 0.707 ERA, 291 strikeouts and 14 walks and 128 2/3 innings.
Coach Richardson: "Dani Lee is an all-around athlete. Dani is competitive and has a servant heart. She has an enormous amount of talent and versatility. Dani can play anywhere on the field. She has an offensive presence that will bring power and consistency to the lineup. She is a born leader and will lift others up to experience much success." Â
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ÂWelcome to the Mountain, Dani Lee! ???? pic.twitter.com/UrLAj7COW9
— Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) November 13, 2024
Taryn Newton (RHP, New Port Richey, Fla./James W. Mitchell High School)
Taryn Newton joins the Lady Flames as a standout pitcher for James W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Fla. A three-time all-conference pitcher, including two-time first team selection, Newton was named the conference pitcher of the year as a junior. A strong hitter as well, she hit .432 during her sophomore season, while posting a 0.91 ERA, 50 strikeouts and seven walks in 54 innings pitched. Last year, Newton hit .342 at the plate and fashioned a 1.90 ERA, 96 strikeouts and nine walks in 88 1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander also plays high school volleyball.
Her mother, Deanna Wilson, played softball and volleyball at Wester Oregon University, while her brother, Austin Newton, is a pitcher on the baseball team at South Florida.
Coach Richardson: "Taryn Newton is a talented student-athlete who will have a dominant presence in the pitching circle. Her potential is limitless. We look forward to helping her reach her full potential. She has an infectious personality which will inspire those around her. Taryn will be fun to watch as she takes that strong work ethic to help the team reach its goals."
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ÂWelcome to the Mountain, Taryn Newton! ???? pic.twitter.com/AaX1geQCdl
— Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) November 13, 2024
Avery Noel (INF, Ridgeley, W.Va./Frankfort High School)
A native of Ridgeley, W.Va., Avery Noel has produced a strong career for Frankfort High School. Noel has been named to the West Virginia AA All-State second team all three years of high school so far. A three-time All-PVC first team selection, Noel was voted the PVC Player of the Year as a sophomore. She has improved her batting average each year, from .489 as a freshman to .507 during her sophomore year and .554 last year.
Also a standout in volleyball and basketball, she is a four-time All-PVC first team member in volleyball, being named PVC Player of the Year and to the AA All-State special honorable mention.
Coach Richardson: "Avery Noel is an all-around talented student-athlete. She is a middle infielder who will bring speed, a good glove and consistent bat to the team. She stands out because of her athletic ability, consistency and drive to be the best. Her work ethic and drive to excel makes her an impact player.
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ÂWelcome to the Mountain, Avery Noel! ???? pic.twitter.com/gUXNyw81kX
— Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) November 13, 2024
Victoria "Coco" Priebe (INF, Los Angeles, Calif./James A. Garfield High School)
Victoria (Coco) Priebe hails from Los Angeles, Calif., where she is the starting shortstop for James A. Garfield High School. Priebe has helped her team win a pair of DII LA City Section Championships. A three-time All-Eastern League player, she was voted to the first team twice. Priebe was a first team All-LA City selection as a junior, when her team finished second place at the Southern Regional Championship. She has received Athletic Achievement Awards three times, while also being a three-time Scholar-Athlete recipient. Priebe batted .784 during her freshman season.
Her sister, Sophia Priebe, plays softball at East Los Angeles College, while her cousin, Amira Villaneda, played at Cal State Fullerton.
Coach Richardson: "A California native, Coco will provide strength to the team as a middle infielder. She will bring her high softball IQ and competitive experience to the lineup. Her flashiness and play making ability will be fun to watch. She leaves it all on the field. Coco can inspire those around her and lead the way to achieving success."
Â
ÂWelcome to the Mountain, Victoria (Coco) Priebe! ???? pic.twitter.com/SmfCnKPA8V
— Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) November 13, 2024
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