UVA signs five top-100 recruits for 2023-24 season

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia head coach Joanna Hardin announced the signing of six players, including five players ranked in the top 100 nationally, as part of the 2022 signing class on Wednesday. The group of six players will join the Cavaliers for the 2023-24 academic year.

Virginia’s class is ranked as the No. 22 class overall by Extra Inning Softball.

The class consists of infielders Brie Biddle and Bella Cabral, catcher/third baseman Melissa Carr, pitcher Julia Cuozzo, first baseman Macee Eaton and outfielder Kamyria Woody-Giggetts. Three of the players are from Virginia (Carr, Cuozzo and Woody-Giggetts), while one is from North Carolina (Biddle), one is from Ohio (Eaton) and one is from Oklahoma (Cabral).

“Our 2023 signing class is a compilation of speed, power, utility and specialty positions,” Hardin said. “We believe Bella, Macee, and Melissa will make an immediate impact offensively. Julia is a proven winner; her competitive experience, both in high school and travel ball, brings more championship mindset and talent to the circle.  Brie and Kamyria are like Swiss army knives: Brie’s size, strength and defensive utility give her the unique ability to play multiple positions with a ton of offensive upside. Kamyria has an elite run tool; she is athletic, engaging, and competitive.  This signing class moves the needle in furthering our championship program pursuit. We can’t wait for this class to get to Charlottesville next fall.”

Brie Biddle | Infield | Charlotte, N.C. | No. 100 Overall Recruit

• No. 100 overall recruit by Extra Inning Softball
• Two-time All-State selection
• All-Charlotte Observer Second Team by theCharlotte Observer
• Two-year Team Captain
• Team MVP
• Helped Cannon to two runner-up finishes in the state championships
• Plays travel ball with Team North Carolina – Hinde
• Member of the USA Softball – North Carolina High Performance Player Pool
• Also a two-time letterwinner in cross country

Bella Cabral | Infield | Choctaw, Okla. | No. 51 Overall Recruit

• No. 51 overall recruit by Extra Inning Softball
• 2022 All-State selection
• 2021 All-City first team selection byThe Oklahoman
• Two-Time Class 6A All-Region selection
• ASWA All-State team Class-7A
• 2020 All-State selection by AL.com while at Fairhope High
• Plays travel ball with Oklahoma Angels – Yeatts

Melissa Carr | Catcher/Third Base | Windsor, Va. | No. 60 Overall Recruit

• No. 60 overall recruit by Extra Inning Softball
• First Team All-Region selection
• First Team All-Conference selection
• Also lettered four years in basketball
• Second Team All-District selection in basketball
• Plays travel ball with Orion Hunter Elite

Julia Cuozzo | Right-Handed Pitcher | Mechanicsville, Va. | No. 23 Overall Recruit

• No. 23 Overall Recruit by Extra Inning Softball
• 2022 Class 4 Player of the Year
• 2022 Class 4B Region Player of the Year
• 2022 Metro Player of the Year byRichmond Times Dispatch
• 2022 All-Metro selection byRichmond Times Dispatch
• Helped Hanover High School to the 2022 State Championship
• Plays travel ball for Mojo Lunsford
• 2022 Alliance Fastpitch National Champion

Macee Eaton | First Base | Wheelersburg, Ohio | No. 31 Overall Recruit

• No. 31 overall recruit by Extra Inning Softball
• 2022 NFCA All-America second team selection
• 2022 Extra Inning Softball All-America first team selection
• 2021 NFCA All-America third team selection
• Two-time first team All-State, All-Region and All-District selection
• Two-time District and Conference Player of the Year
• Two-time Team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year
• Helped Wheelersburg to 2022 State Championship and 2021 Final Four
• Plays travel ball with Team NC – Hinde
• Also lettered four years in basketball

Kamyria Woody-Giggetts | Outfield | Halifax, Va.

• 4D All-Region Team selection
• 2022 Offensive Player of the Year
• 2020 Class 4 All-State selection
• 2020 All-District selection
• Helped Halifax to the Final Four of the 2022 Virginia state championship
• Plays travel ball with Williamsburg Starz Gold