CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois softball program and head coach Tyra Perry announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday (November 14). Jaelyn Vickery (Kankakee, Illinois), Delaney Rummell (Gilberts, Illinois), Taylor Murray (Freeport, Illinois), Kelly Ryono (Huntington Beach, California), Miranda Gallardo (Buena Park, California), Gabi Robles (McHenry, Illinois) and Morgan Scivally (Kankakee, Illinois) will join the Illini for the 2019-20 season. The class is ranked as one of Extra Inning Softball's Top 50 College Softball Recruiting Class and comes in at the No. 35 spot.
"The best way to describe our 2019-20 class is a collection of blue-collar workers with a diverse skill set," said Perry. Many of our signees play multiple positions well and have the potential to make an immediate impact on our program. We are thrilled to welcome two very talented utility players from the Firecrackers Brashear out of California and we are equally excited about the addition of homegrown talent in this class featuring five top players from the state of Illinois."
Jaelyn Vickery // Kankakee, Illinois // Bishop McNamara Catholic High School // Iowa Premier // First Base/Outfield // 5-8
Notes: Ranked as a 2019 Extra Elite 100 by Extra Innings Softball as a Top 100 player … Ranked No. 125 Top Recruits by FloSoftball for the 2019 class … Named to the Daily Journal All-City Softball Team and earned All-Metro Elite Honor after hitting .418 with 11 home runs, 40 runs scored and 46 RBI for Bishop McNamara … Helped lead BMCHS to an All-City championship, a Catholic League Conference championship and a Regional Championship in 2018 … Was also an All-South Suburban Conference honoree and a Sectional Champion in Track & Field in 2016 … Helped lead her travel club, Iowa Premier Gold, to a third-place finish at the 2017 PGF Nationals and a first-place finish at the PGF ICT Colorado Tournament in 2017.
Why Illinois?
"I chose Illinois because of its culture and values. I loved what the campus was about and especially the focus of the softball team. Illinois is an upcoming program and I want to be part of the underdog team."
Coach Perry on Vickery
"Jaelyn Vickery is one of the most determined student-athletes I have ever met. Her combination of speed and power is what champions are made of. Jaelyn swings a big bat and will be fun to watch next season."
Delaney Rummell // Gilberts, Illinois // Hampshire High School // Illinois Chill // Utility // 5-6
Notes: Two-time Illinois High School Association (IHSA) First Team All-State in 2017 and 2018 for Hampshire High School … 2017 Northwest Herald All-Area Team First-Team … Ranked as a 2019 Extra Elite 100 by Extra Innings Softball as a top 100 player … A member of the Illinois Chill organization, she helped lead her team to Top-10 finishes at the IDT Softball Tournament in 2016 and 2018 and at PGF Nationals in 2016 … Two-time National Honor Society honoree at HHS.
Why Illinois?
"I chose Illinois because of the atmosphere while on campus and it felt like my home away from home. My connection with the coaches also made me feel very welcomed."
Coach Perry on Rummell
"Delaney Rummell represents the blue-collar player that every team needs to be successful. She is a true utility in that she can effectively play every position on the field except pitcher. She knows what she is doing at the plate and can spark our offense with a single pitch. Delaney, Gabi and Taylor are all members of the Illinois Chill Travel Organization."
Taylor Murray // Freeport, Illinois // Freeport High School // Illinois Chill // Pitcher // 5-8
Notes: Two-time IHSA All-State Second-Team in 2017 and 2018 and earned Third-Team honors in 2016 … Three-time All Star Preps Best of Region … Three-time All-Northern Illinois Conference … Named Best of Rock River Valley All-Star Preps Softball MVP … Three-time MVP for Freeport High School … A member of the Illinois Chill organization, she helped lead her team to Top-10 finishes at the IDT Softball Tournament in 2016 and 2018 and at PGF Nationals in 2016.
Why Illinois?
"I think Coach Perry is a great coach and she will help me be successful on and off the field. The University of Illinois also offers most of the classes that I need to become a physician assistant and a degree from this institution will increase my chances of being hired somewhere."
Coach Perry on Murray
"Taylor Murray was on our radar for quite some time and we are happy that she chose the University of Illinois. Taylor has shown tremendous growth this past summer and has elevated her game to a high level. Taylor has the ability to compete with the best in the Big Ten."
Kelly Ryono // Huntington Beach, California // Huntington Beach High School // Firecrackers Brashear // Outfield // 5-8
Notes: Ranked as a 2019 Extra Elite 200 by Extra Innings Softball as a Top 200 player … Named All-Sunset League in 2018 … Named Huntington Beach High School Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 and is a three-time HBHS Scholar-Athlete honoree … Helped lead her Firecrackers Brashear travel team to a top-five finish at the PGF Premier Nationals in 2017 and a finalist finish in the Colorado Fireworks ESPN Game in 2018.
Why Illinois?
"I chose Illinois because it is the complete package of Division I athletics and nationally ranked academics. It is always a competitor in the Big Ten Conference and is also considered one of the top public schools in the country. I also chose Illinois because the coaching staff was the best I have ever met. You can tell they truly care about their team and are welcoming to all. I can tell that all the girls on the softball team truly love attending Illinois. They would not want to go anywhere else, and I think that really says something about the school. I also chose Illinois because it is not in California, and I want to experience something different from home."
Coach Perry on Ryono
"Kelly Ryono is a utility player that will help us in the outfield but can also play first base. She has a strong arm and great range. Kelly is a power hitter that will be a huge asset to our offense. Kelly and Miranda come to us from the Firecrackers Brasher out of California."
Miranda Gallardo // Buena Park, California // John F. Kennedy High School // Firecrackers Brashear // Utility // 5-2
Notes: Ranked as a 2019 Extra Elite 200 by Extra Innings Softball as a Top 200 player … Earned Empire League First-Team honors in 2017 and was Second-Team in 2018 … Helped lead her high school to the 2018 Empire League championship and was named to the 2018 All-Academic Team … 2017 Kennedy High School Defensive Player of the Year … Helped lead her Firecrackers Brashear travel team to the 2018 18U Colorado Fireworks Super 64 Championship and fifth-place finishes at the 2018 Premier PGF Nationals in 2017 and 2018.
Why Illinois?
"I chose Illinois because the staff and students made me feel so welcome and I fell in love with the beautiful campus."
Coach Perry on Gallardo
"Miranda Gallardo's strong work ethic and calm demeanor will make her a great addition to our middle infield. She also has the versatility to transition into the outfield if needed. She is a speed kid that will fit our offensive plan seamlessly."
Gabi Robles // McHenry, Illinois // Minooka Community High School // Illinois Chill Gold // Outfield // 5-5
Notes: Helped lead her Minooka High School team to the IHSA 4A Regional and Section championships in 2018 … Three-time scholar-athlete at MCHS … A member of the Illinois Chill organization, she helped lead her team to Top-10 finishes at the IDT Softball Tournament in 2016 and 2018 and at PGF Nationals in 2016.
Why Illinois?
"As soon as I stepped onto campus, I fell in love and felt right at home. I have always strived to play softball in the Big Ten Conference and wanted to stay fairly close to home, Illinois completes all of my desires and gives so much more as well."
Coach Perry on Robles
"Gabi Robles is a tough, hard-nosed player. She has a high softball IQ and will provide depth in the outfield. She is a triple threat at the plate in that she can hit, slap and bunt with authority."
Morgan Scivally // Kankakee, Illinois // Herscher High School // Illinois Stars // Pitcher // 5-9
Notes: Two-time IHSA All-State honoree in 2016 and 2017 … Two-time Daily Journal All-Area honoree … Named to the All-Interstate Eight Conference team in 2016 … Played with the Beverly Bandis from 2015 to 2018, where she helped lead the team to the 2016 Surf City championship, 2017 Colorado Showcase championship and a third-place finish PGF Nationals in 2017.
Why Illinois?
"I chose the University of Illinois because I always wanted to play Power Five softball, while remaining close to home."
Coach Perry on Scivally
"Morgan Scivally is a dropball pitcher from Kankakee, Illinois, with infectious energy in the circle. She is a team player with a great glove and will be a workhorse for us."
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