TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn Ichabod head softball coach
Brenda Holaday has announced the signings of seven future Ichabods who will join the program for the 2023-24 season. The class includes six prep standouts and a junior college transfer.
"Collectively, this is a class that we feel is full of young ladies who can help our program continue to be successful," Holaday said. "They have played against great competition and have proven to be winners on the field, great students in the classroom, and they bring the values, character, work ethic, and team approach that will fit into our culture. I think this group is hungry to prove they can compete at this level and we are excited to add them to our program and welcome them to Washburn."
KINLEI BOLEY
Pitcher/First Base / 5-11 / Bats: Right / Throws: Right / Chillicothe, Mo. / Chillicothe High School
Set the school's career and season home records as a senior helping team to league and district championships; a first-team all-league, all-district, all-region and all-state selection as a pitcher earning NFCA all-region second team honors as her team was the state runners-up going 30-5 … a first-team all-conference, all-district, and second team all-region selection … a two-time softball academic all-state selection … daughter of Rick and Rachel Boley … a sister, Kiley … anticipated major is kinesiology.
Boley on Washburn: I chose Washburn because I felt like I was at home as soon as I stepped on campus. Coach Holaday and her staff made me feel wanted, not only as an athlete but as a person too. The environment and culture they have in this program is incredible and that is what I was wanting in a school. The campus is beautiful and the facilities are amazing. Since I am from a smaller town, I loved the class sizes, and how there are so many opportunities for you to interact with people in and outside of classes.
Holaday on Boley: Kinlei is a young lady who thrives on the mound and at the plate. She has big time power and embraces pressure as both a pitcher and hitter. We expect her to step in and contribute quickly. We are excited about the championship mentality, great attitude, and strong skill set she will add to our program.
MOLLY GILBERT
Utility / 5-6 / Bats: Left / Throws: Right / Waxahachie, Texas / Waxahachie High School
A second-team all-district selection as a junior earning offensive team MVP honors … named first-team all-district as a sophomore and named defensive MVP … a two-time academic all-district selection … daughter of Phillip and Britt Gilbert … a brother, Zach … anticipated major is kinesiology.
Gilbert on Washburn: I chose Washburn because it feels like a home away from home. It made me nervous for how far away it is, but after getting to know all of the coaches I know they will be there to help with anything I need, even outside of softball. The people are very friendly in Topeka and I like the class sizes being smaller so you can get to know your professors and classmates.
Holaday on Gilbert: Molly is a young lady with a huge upside. She has a natural and fluid swing from the left side and can play multiple positions on the infield. She comes from strong high school and club programs and has competed at the highest level in both.
MADI (Mac) MOORE
Catcher / 5-2 / Bats: Right / Throws: Right / Greenwood, Mo. / Lee's Summit West High School
Named first-team all-district as a senior … as a junior she was named the defensive player of the year earning first-team all-state, all-district, all-region, all-conference and was named catcher of the year as her team won the state championship … as a sophomore she was a first-team all-district and second team all-region earning honorable mention all-conference … daughter of Bob and Laurie Moore … two brothers, Zach and Jake … undecided on major.
Moore on Washburn: I chose Washburn because of the family approach this program has. Everyone cares about you and the coaches treat you as a valued person instead of just a player. The girls really brought it home for me, to see and practice with such an amazing group of people who genuinely love the game was such a cool experience.
Holaday on Moore: Mac will be a difference maker. She plays the game with fire and has a cannon behind the dish. She carries herself with confidence and her energy and desire is top notch. She also brings power to the hitting lineup and will make our program better with her championship pedigree. This kid is a state champion for a reason.
RYLEE MOORE
Pitcher / 5-4 / Bats: L / Throws: R / Abilene, Texas / Wylie High School
An all-district selection as a junior also earning All-Big Country Preps first-team pitcher and honorable mention honors as an outfielder after batting .333 with a 2.43 earned run average in 83 innings striking out 113 … as a sophomore she recorded a 2.92 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched batting .500 … recorded a 1.45 ERA in 24 innings of action with 30 strikeouts as a freshman … a two-time academic all-district selection … daughter of Cliff and Stephanie Moore … a brother, Hayden … a sister, Morgan … anticipated major is health sciences.
Moore on Washburn: I chose Washburn because it is an awesome place to be and provides an environment to not only succeed athletically but academically as well. I love to compete in a supportive environment and for a softball program that can compete with any team. I look forward to doing my part to add to Washburn's future success.
Holaday on Moore: We expect Rylee to come in and help us in the circle right away. She is a highly competitive athlete with huge expectations for herself and a work ethic to match. Rylee is small in stature and will surprise a lot of people with her ability to get outs.
ZOE QUINN
Outfield/Infield / 5-3 / Bats: L / Throws: R / Rockwall, Texas / Rockwall High School
A first team all-district selection as a junior as an outfielder as team won district title … named first team all-district as a junior and named the outfielder of the year as a sophomore … daughter of Shalon Quinn and Scott Hulsey and Elton Quinn and Natasha Hulsey … anticipated major is law or criminal justice … her mom played basketball at McClennan Junior College.
Quinn on Washburn: I chose Washburn because I love the size of the campus. I come from a small town so the small-town vibe is exactly what I was looking for. When I visited I immediately saw myself going to school here. Plus the softball program has been very successful and the facilities were top-notch. Once I met the coaching staff and the players I knew this is right where I belong.
Holaday on Quinn: Zoe will give us speed, versatility, and some power. She has a strong skill set at the plate and can use her short game or drive the ball into the gaps. She has a lot of ways to put pressure on the defense. Zoe also covers a lot of ground in the outfield with a strong and accurate arm.
ALLIE STIPSITS
Catcher / 5-6 / Bats: Right / Throws: Right / Olathe, Kansas / Olathe North High School / Hutchinson Community College
A transfer from Hutchinson Community College where she was a first-team all-conference catcher as a freshman batting .364 with 24 RBI helping the team to a No. 16 national ranking and a third-place finish at regionals with a 41-8 record … in high school she was a first-team all-league, all-state selection at catcher helping team to a second-place finish at the state tournament … was a second-team all-league selection as a sophomore helping the team to a third-place finish at the state tournament and was an honorable mention pick as a freshman as her team finished fourth at the state tournament … daughter of Scott and Tamara Stipsits … two sisters, Maddie and Emily … anticipated major is kinesiology … sister Maddie wrapped up Ichabod softball career in 2022.
Stipsits on Washburn: I chose Washburn because of the amazing academic opportunities and the softball program felt like a place I could grow and succeed in.
Holaday on Stipsits: It's hard to go wrong with adding another Stipsits to our program. Like Maddie, Allie is a tenacious competitor and worker. She has had tremendous success at Hutchinson Community College and we expect her to bring that experience to Washburn where she will solidify our catching staff and add another strong bat to our lineup.
ASHLYNN WOLFF
Shortstop / 5-6 / Bats: Right / Throws: Right / Greenwood, Indiana / Center Grove High School
As a junior, she batted .398 with 19 runs scored, 25 RBI with 11 doubles and three triples … as a sophomore she was an all-conference and all-county selection after batting .383 with 30 runs scored, 32 RBI adding six doubles and four home runs … on the club circuit she was a two-time platinum glove award winner for top defensive player and also picked up a silver slugger award in 2021 and gold glove awards in 2020, 2021 and 2022 … daughter of Jim and Shannon Wolff … two sisters, Kendra and Addison, two brothers, Jimmy and Jaden … anticipated major is business … father played baseball at Saint Mary's and brother Jimmy played baseball at Franklin.
Wolff on Washburn: I chose Washburn because of the coaches and players. They made it feel just like home and they felt like family. I love the small class sizes and just how nice everyone was. Going to Washburn, I know I can always go to the coaches and players for help and support.
Holaday on Wolff: We are excited to bring Ashlynn to Washburn and expect her to compete for a middle infield position. She has great range and a strong arm and is equally talented at the plate. Ashlynn believes in her ability as a player and embraces all challenges. She wants to be the best at what she does and has the potential to be an impact player.
