
Submitted photos – Fortuna senior Kylee Fennell, center, along with CR volleyball coach Paul Castillo, left, and CR softball coach Megan Valente at this week’s signing.
Fortuna senior Kylee Fennell is an all-league player in three different sports, and she’s going to play two of them in college.
She’s also staying local, which is good news for North Coast fans and the Corsairs.
This week, Fennell signed her letter of commitment to compete in volleyball and softball at College of the Redwoods, joining a pair of programs that are trying to establish themselves as a perennial force in the Golden Valley Conference.
She becomes the first player to commit to either team this offseason, and both of her new coaches are excited about her athleticism and her reputation as a hard worker.
“I’m excited for Kylee to be joining our softball team,” CR softball head coach Megan Valente said. “Kylee is a great athlete in every sport she plays and has a great dedication that we are excited to have on the team.”
The athletic Husky senior is likely to fill a variety of roles for Valente.
“Kylee is a utility player that I think will make a great impact in our infield and at the plate,” the coach said.
Fennell is closing out her high school in impressive fashion.
In addition to being an all-league first-team selection in both volleyball and basketball this year, she has definitely played well enough to get the nod in softball as well after being named an honorable mention in 2022.
She is batting .500 for the Huskies with 17 RBIs and 11 doubles, all team-highs, and Fortuna head coach Eric Helms believes she has the talent to succeed at the collegiate level.
“She is a true competitor and leader,” he said. “She works hard and demands the best from herself and her teammates.
“She is truly a student-athlete whose vision has always been playing at the next level. Gonna miss her next year.”
First-year CR volleyball head coach Paul Castillo also is excited about the addition of Fennell, who becomes his first-ever recruit with the program.
“CR volleyball is very excited to have their first commitment for the 2023 season,” said Castillo, who took over from Petra Lorenzi this offseason. “We are executed to have Kylee join our team.”
Fennell still has some unfinished business to take care of on the high school fields, as she and her Fortuna teammates get set to open the North Coast Section softball playoffs at home against Hercules on Tuesday evening.
Two more local standout softball players are set to sign their letters of commitment to play softball at CR on Monday, as Valente looks to replace seven talented sophomores from this year’s 21-15 team. More on that next week.
Categories: College of the Redwoods, Fortuna, Softball, Volleyball