NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State head softball coach Kary Kankey announced on Tuesday the early signing of four athletes who will play for the Spartans beginning in the 2011 season. They are shortstop/outfielder Morgan Boyd (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River HS), catcher Kathy Cortez (Pomona, Calif./Garey HS), first baseman/outfielder Nikole Jones (Providence Forge, Va./New Kent HS) and first baseman/outfielder Melina Valles (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes HS).

“We are very excited about our new signees,” Kankey said. “We have worked very hard over the past year to evaluate talent and recruit these players. We have made a great start at filling the holes that will be created by the departure of our five seniors this coming May.”

Boyd hit .478 with six doubles and four triples in the summer of 2009 with the Virginia Cobras 18 and under travel softball team. In addition to playing softball at Indian River, Boyd was a 2009 All-Southeastern District first-team pick in volleyball for the Braves.  

“Morgan will definitely add an athletic presence to our team,” Kankey said. “She is a local product that we are excited to keep at home. Morgan is extremely versatile and can play several positions, including shortstop, second base and outfield.”

As a junior, Cortez hit .330 at the plate for Garey HS in 2009. She started all 19 games at catcher and was a 2009 first-team Mount Baldy League pick. Cortez is a three-time Scholar Athlete and was the starting point guard on the basketball team her freshman and sophomore years.

“We are so thrilled to add Kathy to our roster,” Kankey said. “She has played at a very high level of travel ball and we feel like she is ready to step in at catcher and be an impact player for us immediately. She is also familiar with several of our players, so she will fit in perfectly at NSU.” 

Jones was a 2009 second-team All-Bay Rivers District pick as a junior after hitting .299 in 22 games. She earned all-district honorable mention honors her freshman and sophomore years and played basketball for New Kent.

“Nikki is a fantastic addition to our program because she is a great example of a well-rounded student-athlete,” Kankey said. “We have been watching her for almost two years and she is a perfect fit at NSU academically and athletically. She plays a solid first base and also runs well enough to play outfield. Nikki is also a good hitter who will add power to the middle of our lineup.”

Valles was a First-Team All-Beach District pick after helping Ocean Lakes to its first-ever  district title and Easter Region Tournament berth in 2009. She hit .367 with 14 RBI in 22 games last year and holds the Ocean Lakes record for most RBI in a season (14).

“Melina is one of the best clutch hitters in the Beach District and was instrumental in helping Ocean Lakes win the 2009 district title,” Kankey said. “We are excited to add a left-handed batter to our lineup. Melina is going to be able to help us a lot, especially on the offensive side of the ball.”