March 16, 2010

RedStorm women's soccer adds Waverly's Kyle

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm women's soccer team has signed a second recruit for the 2010 season in the person of Cassie Kyle of Waverly High School. 

Kyle comes to Rio Grande having played on a predominantly male Waverly team. She helped to lead the Tigers to a winning season (9-4-3) in 2009.

Kyle, a 5'2" defender, is very excited to have the opportunity to play with Rio Grande. "It's amazing. I feel like I've made a great decision," she said. 

Head Coach Amber Oliver and the coaching staff have set out to bolster a program still in the building process and they believe they have a player in Kyle who will breathe some new life into the program. "I am very excited to be signing Cassie," Oliver said. "It is always great to sign local players, especially one as talented as Cassie."

"Cassie is a tenacious player that has the ability and desire to win every ball and is not afraid of contact.  Her best asset as a player is her physical style of play and her speed," Oliver added. "I look forward to seeing great things from Cassie during the 2010 season."

Kyle has had some experience with assistant coaches Chris Skarratt and Callum Morris, having attended a number of camps held at Rio Grande through the years. "Chris and Callum are a main reason why I chose Rio Grande, they're great," Kyle said. "I chose Rio because I went down there to the camps. They had what I wanted as a major and I could play sports which I am in love with."

She plans to major in pre-medicine. 

Morris spoke about why Rio Grande targeted Kyle as a player. "I've actually coached Cassie for the past two years," he said. "She's been to a number of camps that we've held at the University of Rio Grande. Knowing Cassie for the last couple years I've seen her develop as a player. The main reason why we're getting Cassie for our program is because she's very athletic, she's quick and she wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a player that we lacked last season."

Kyle also liked the focus given to the students at Rio Grande. "(I like) that they focus on the student, and they will do everything to get you what you need," Kyle said. 

Her plans, for the moment, include more than soccer. "I'll probably run track down there too. It's going to be hard but I'll do it," Kyle said.

Kyle's goal while playing for Rio Grande is to simply do the best she can. "My goal is to do my best and be a great player." 

Cassie is the daughter of John and Carolyn Kyle of Waverly.

Kyle joins Alexandria Davis of Teays Valley High School as the current members of the Rio Grande recruiting class.