DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University softball team signed five high school student-athletes,
Molly Hoekstra (Des Moines, Iowa),
Haylee Lehman (Nichols, Iowa),
MaKayla Rice (Lee's Summit, Mo.),
Emma Richards (Clive, Iowa) and
Skylar Rigby (Huxley, Iowa) to National Letters of Intent for the 2021 season, head coach
Rich Calvert announced Wednesday, Nov. 20. Four of the five student-athletes hail from the state of Iowa with the other from Missouri.
"We feel the most important aspect in the recruiting process is finding quality student-athletes that represent Drake softball both on-and-off the field," Calvert said. "Time will tell on the impact they will have on the softball field, but they all come from programs, whether high school or club, that have achieved tremendous success during their time. We look forward to seeing them develop over their careers."
Hoekstra has played four sports, basketball, softball, track and field and volleyball, for Carlisle High School. On the diamond, she helped the Wildcats' softball team to the 2019 Iowa Class 4A State title. In the circle the past two seasons, Hoekstra has a 62-6 record helping Carlisle compile an impressive 69-9-1 overall record.
Lehman is a four-sport athlete in basketball, softball, track and field and volleyball for West Liberty High School. She helped the Comets' softball team earn a third-place finish at the 2019 Iowa Class 3A tournament. A utility player, Lehman is a member of the Eastern Iowa Barracudas softball club.
Richards attends Waukee High School. A pitcher, she is a member of the Iowa Premier Fastpitch softball club. Richards helped her club team finish as the 2019 PGF Nationals Platinum Champions. Her grandpa, great grandma and great grandpa all graduated from Drake.
Rice is a utility player for Lee's Summit High School. She is a two-time all-district and all-conference selection for the Tigers. Rice is a member of the DeMarini Aces softball club.
Rigby is a catcher/utility player for Ballard High School. As a junior, she garnered elite all-state, all-state, all-district and all-conference honors for the Bombers. Rigby is a member of the Iowa Premier Gold Fastpitch softball club.
