Kats sign eight on National Signing Day

HUNTSVILLE - The Sam Houston softball program and head coach Garret Valis announced the signing of eight student-athletes to play for the Bearkats in the 2026 season.

The signing class consists of infielders Abbey Papadimitriou and Avery Maurer; outfielders Sydney Prihoda, Sophia Lundstrom, and Emma Rekieta; pitchers Cassie Marshall and Carlee Bubela; and catcher Peyton Helmly.

Sam Houston head coach Garrett Valis on this year's signing class …
"This class is as versatile and deep as any class we have recruited here at Sam Houston, they have all played at a high level against great competition on their road here. This class covers every area of the game so they will have a great opportunity to impact our roster from day one. They are battle tested and bring a cultural fit to the program on and off the field. I expect them all to be high achievers in the classroom and push this program forward in all areas."

2025 Bearkat Softball Signing Class
Abbey Papadimitriou / INF / Kingwood / Kingwood High School
Abbey Papadimitriou distinguished herself in high school as a three-time all-district and academic all-district selection, earning Texas Sports Writers Association All-State Honorable Mention honors at first base during the 2021-22 season. She also claimed team accolades as Offensive MVP and twice as Defensive MVP, setting her school's single-season RBI record.

In travel ball, Papadimitriou competed at an elite level, ranking as the No. 9 infielder in the Southwest Region and placing on the Extra Innings Softball Elite 100 list. She contributed to the Texas Riptide Softball Select Team's championships at both the Kansas City Top Gun Invitational and Colorado Power Pool in 2022.

Papadimitriou on why she chose Sam Houston …
"I chose Sam because it is the perfect environment for me and aligns greatly with my personal values. Right when I stepped onto campus, I knew it was home. I love the family atmosphere, competitiveness and tight-knit culture. I am super excited to be a Bearkat."

Valis on Papadimitriou…
"Abbey is a versatile corner infielder who has big power from the right side at the plate. We love her energy, passion for the game and detailed approach to improving each day."

Avery Maurer / INF / Brenham / Brenham High School
Avery Maurer showcased her talents as a consistent first-team all-district selection across her freshman, sophomore, and junior years in high school, while also excelling academically with three consecutive Academic all-district honors. As a versatile athlete and team leader, she was named Team Offensive MVP her freshman and sophomore years and earned Team MVP honors her junior year.

Maurer brings her experience from a strong travel ball background with Texas Bombers Gold National 18U, where she further honed her skills at the elite level. A three-year varsity starter at shortstop, she plans to major in health science as she continues her athletic and academic journey at Sam Houston.

Maurer on why she chose Sam Houston …
"I chose Sam Houston because I loved the environment, and the coaches were extremely welcoming. Huntsville felt like home to me, and I can't wait to be a Bearkat."

Valis on Maurer…
"We like Avery's defensive ability on the left side of the infield. She is a shortstop with lots of experience but can slide over to third base as well. Avery has the ability to hit in the middle of the order and be a consistent offensive hitter for us"

Cassie Marshall / LHP / Rockwall / Rockwall Heath High School
Cassie Marshall made a strong entrance into high school softball, earning first team all-district, varsity MVP and all-academic honors her freshman year. In her sophomore year, she continued to excel academically with another all-academic award and received honorable mention in district play.

Marshall has further developed her skills in travel ball with Texas Bombers Gold National 18U, competing at a high level alongside top-tier athletes. She plans to major in criminal justice and forensic science, where she will bring her dedication and competitive edge to the Bearkat family.

Marshall on why she chose Sam Houston …
"I chose Sam because I felt comfortable on campus and felt so welcome by the softball program. I could see a future at Sam Houston. I knew that Sam Houston was a great school for what I wanted to study and couldn't pass up on this amazing opportunity to get to play softball and get a good education."

Valis on Marshall…
"Being left-handed, Cassie allows us to give a different look to hitters which is what we hope to do as a pitching staff. She does a good job of changing speeds and getting hitters off balance. As she continues to develop, we believe she will only get better at reaching her ceiling"

Sydney Prihoda / OF / Willis / Willis High School
Sydney Prihoda made a strong impact on both the field and in the classroom at Willis High School. She earned first team All Montgomery County, District 13-6A Co-Offensive Player of the Year, and Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. In 2024, she received the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award at Willis High School.

Prihoda has also excelled in travel ball with Texas Bombers National 18U, showcasing her talent at top competitions like the Select 30 National Training Camp in Florida. Off the field, she is a dedicated student, earning Academic All-district honors every year and participating in National Honor Society, Student Council, and Math Honor Society. Sydney's father, Brad Prihoda, played baseball at Sam Houston, and her uncle, Luke Prihoda, is a member of the Hall of Honor at Sam Houston.

Prihoda on why she chose Sam Houston …
"I chose Sam Houston because I grew up going to Sam Houston softball camps and games and developed a great relationship with the coaches. After seeing the facilities and campus and visiting with the coaching staff, it felt special, and I just knew it was my fit. I chose Sam for the opportunity to make special moments with special people, on and off the field. Eat 'em Up Kats!"

Valis on Prihoda …
"Sydney is a Bearkat through and through that is a physical athlete that can cover ground in the outfield. She is a power and speed threat on offensive that will only get better."

Peyton Helmly / C / Baytown / Barbers Hill High School
Peyton Helmly has been a key player for Barbers Hill High School, starting as a varsity catcher for all four years. She earned Newcomer of the Year honors in 2022 and was named Defensive MVP in 2023. In 2024, she earned first-team all-district recognition.

Helmly has maintained a strong academic record, receiving academic all-district honors three times in her first three seasons. She also plays for Texas Bombers Gold National 18U, competing at a high level alongside top athletes.

Sanchez on why she chose Sam Houston …
"I chose Sam because it felt like a home away from home."

Valis on Helmly …
"Peyton will add depth for us behind the plate and the ability to play the corners. We like her ability to drive the ball and play the game with an edge."

Sophia Lundstrom / OF • C / Richmond / Lamar Consolidated High School
Sophia Lundstrom has made a significant impact on the softball field, earning District 20-6A Newcomer of the Year in 2022 and first-team catcher honors in both 2023 (20-6A) and 2024 (20-5A). She has been recognized as academic all-district in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Lundstrom is highly ranked regionally and nationally, holding the No. 1 Extra Inning Regional Ranking in the Southwest Region, No. 5 in the Extra Inning Elite 100 for 2025 and No. 19 in the Line Drive Media Elite 100 for 2025. She plays for Impact Gold Jackson 18U and plans to major in forensic science at Sam Houston, where she will continue to bring her talent and leadership to the Bearkat family.

Lundstrom on why she chose Sam Houston …
"I chose Sam Houston because from the moment I met the coaches, they made me feel genuinely valued and welcomed. It is a place where I feel I can grow both as an athlete and as a person, all while being surrounded by amazing people."

Valis on Lundstrom…
"Sophia is an impact athlete for us on both sides of the diamond. She has the ability to lock down center field or lead from behind the plate. She is a top of the order triple threat hitter from the left side. We feel she will make an impact early on in her Bearkat career."

Emma Rekieta / OF / Franklin / Franklin High School
Emma Rekieta has been a four-time varsity starter, earning first-team all-district, all-academic, TSWA All-State and TGCA All-State honors. She is ranked as the top outfielder in Texas for the Class of 2025 by Lone Star Preps. As a member of the 18U Centex Buzz, she was part of the USA Gold National Championship team in 2023 and the Alliance Fastpitch Southern Champions in 2024. Emma is ranked No. 58 outfielder and No. 100 overall in the nation for the Class of 2025 by Extra Innings.

She has excelled both academically and athletically. She is on the A Honor Roll, a member of National Honor Society, Student Council and FCA. Rekieta was also selected for the Texas HS All Star Basketball Team, earning all-state honors.

Rekieta on why she chose Sam Houston …
"I chose Sam Houston State University because it felt like home. A place where I can excel both on the field and in the classroom. SHSU offers me the opportunity to compete at a high-level while being a part of a close-knit community that supports my growth as an athlete and a student."

Valis on Rekieta…
"Emma is a hard-nosed athlete who will spend most of her time competing in the outfield. She too is a top of the order type hitter who can use all three tools from the left side. High contact and barrel control will be a big part of her game. We look for her get it done mentality to show up for us often."

Carlee Bubela / P • 1B / El Campo / El Campo High School
Carlee Bubela has been a standout at her high school, earning first-team all-district honors in 2022, 2023 and 2024. She has also excelled in travel ball with Texas Bombers Gold National 18U, making the All-Tournament Team at both the 2022 Alliance Nationals and PGF Nationals.

Bubela's family has a strong athletic tradition — her father played baseball at Sam Houston from 1996-1997, and her sister currently plays softball at Texas State. She plans to bring her talent and academic dedication to Sam as a biomedical sciences major.

Bubela on why she chose Sam Houston …
"The reason I chose Sam Houston was because of how fond my dad was of the school, and how badly I wanted to follow in his footsteps."

Valis on Bubela…
"Similar to Sydney, Carlee is a Bearkat at heart and is super competitive. She has continued to get stronger, which we feel will help her early in the circle and at the plate. She can hit for power from the left side and provide consistent offensive production when she is not on the mound. In the circle she does a great job of locating and getting ground balls, so we look for that to fit into our pitching staff well early on."

Kats sign eight on National Signing Day

Related News

Related Videos

Footer