TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Softball head coach
Caitlin Lowe has announced the signing of five of the nation's top recruits.
Arizona's signing class includes three infielders, one pitcher, and one catcher. Emma Kavanagh, a catcher/utility player from Barrington, Ill., Jenna Sniffen, an infielder from Kapolei, Hawai'i, Kate Vance, an infielder from Chandler, Ariz., Anyssa Wild, an infielder from Tucson, Ariz., and Sarah Wright, a right-handed pitcher from Kent, Wash. have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Wildcats.
"We're thrilled to welcome this 2024 class to the Wildcat Family," head coach
Caitlin Lowe said. "It's a very well-rounded class with pitching, infield, and catching. They bring a lot of pop at the plate and are solid defensive additions. We are very excited to watch them grow in our program."
Emma Kavanagh
C/UT | Barrington, Ill. | Barrington H.S.
- Ranked #7 recruit nationally by Extra Inning Softball
- Ranked #3 catcher by Extra Inning Softball
- Three-time All-American player at Barrington H.S.
- Three-time first-team all-conference
- Three-time all-region and all-state performer
- Helped Barrington H.S. place fourth in state in back-to-back years
- Played with Illinois Chill Gold for six years
- Club team took fifth place at IDT Boulder, Top Gun, and the Easton Rawlings Invitational Showcase
Emma says: "I chose Arizona because I loved the players and coaches that made it feel like a family. The weather is also amazing."
Jenna Sniffen
INF | Kapolei, Hawai'i | Maryknoll H.S.
- Ranked #16 recruit nationally by Extra Inning Softball
- Ranked #7 third-baseman by Extra Inning Softball
- 2022 All-Hawai'i Player of the Year
- First-team all-state utility player in 2023
- 2021 Hawai'i Gatorade Player of the Year
- Two-time first-team All-ILH player
- 2023 Colorado Sparkler champion with Athletics Mercado
- 2022 Hawai'i state champion with Maryknoll H.S.
Jenna says: "I chose Arizona because I enjoyed the atmosphere, the location, and the weather. I also love the program and the culture."
Kate Vance
INF | Chandler, Ariz. | Hamilton H.S.
- Ranked #6 recruit nationally by Extra Inning Softball
- Ranked #3 infielder by Extra Inning Softball
- Two-time MaxPreps first-team All-American
- Named All-Arizona her freshman and junior years
- Three-time first-team all-conference, all-district, and all-region honoree
- Runner-up in PGF Nationals in 2019
Kate says: "I chose the University of Arizona because I fell in love with the family culture and I'll be representing my home state."
Anyssa Wild
INF | Tucson, Ariz. | Salpointe Catholic H.S.
- Three-time Arizona state champion with Salpointe Catholic H.S.
- Named Southern Arizona Freshman of the Year in 2021
- Three-time first-team All-Region 4A Kino
- Three-time first-team all-conference
- 2021 Greg Hansen's Tucson Top 100 Sports Figures (#94)
Anyssa says: "I grew up wanting to play softball at Arizona and I love the atmosphere here. I can't wait to represent my hometown."
Sarah Wright
RHP | Kent, Wash. | Kentwood H.S.
- Ranked #84 recruit nationally by Extra Inning Softball
- Ranked #55 pitcher by Extra Inning Softball
- 2022 Washington Gatorade Player of the Year
- 2023 North Puget Sound League (NPSL) Player of the Year
- 4A NPSL Pitcher of the Year in 2021 and 2022
- 2021 Tacoma News Tribune All-Area Player of the Year
- Two-time all-state player
- 2022 first-team MaxPreps Underclassmen All-American
- Helped her club team, the Northwest Bullets, place third at IDT Boulder and fifth at Triple Crown Nationals in 2023
Sarah says: "I chose Arizona because I love the family atmosphere on campus and I love the support of everyone in the Tucson community."
