Kazee-Hollifield Adds Three for 2015 Signing Class

carson-newman sports logoCarson-Newman head softball coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield has added three signees to the program’s roster for its 30th anniversary season. 

Talisa Fiame (Pacifica, Calif.), Holly Black (Blaine, Tenn.) and Abriana Lockett (Fontana, Calif.) join six others to bring C-N’s 30th anniversary signing class to nine. 

Talisa Fiame, 5-7 second base:

Fiame comes to C-N from College of San Mateo.  As a freshman she hit .399 with 10 home runs, 56 RBI and a .699 slugging percentage.  As a sophomore with CSM, she batted .419 with six dingers, 60 RBI to go along with 20 stolen bases. 

“She’s a strong kid coming to us from California,” Kazee-Hollifield said. “She’s quick and she has power.  We hope that she can help fill the void left by our three seniors who departed.”

Fiame was a two-time first team all-conference player at CSM, she earned all-state and academic all-state honors as a sophomore.  She helped CSM to a pair of Coast Conference titles and pair of Northern California championships.

She was a member of the dean’s list at CSM.  The daughter of Connie and Navy Fiame, she is studying film at C-N. Her cousin Maurice Daniels played football at Missouri Valley College.

Holly Black, 5-7 utility infielder:

A former Grainger Grizzly for coach Rusty Bishop, Black hit .400 as a junior with only four strikeouts and .350 as a senior with only seven strikeouts.  She earned all-district honors on multiple occasions as a standout softball, volleyball and basketball player in high school. 

“She’s really quick and a steady hard-nosed ball player,” Kazee-Hollifield said. “You love to see those attributes in a local kid.  She’s a utility player.”

The Grizzlies were district runners up in 2013 and 2014. 

Black participated in Beta Club.  She is the daughter of Gabe and Angelia Black. 

Bri Lockett, 5-2 third base:

Lockett transfers in from Bethune-Cookman where she appeared in one game for the Wildcasts in 2014, but did not register any statistics. 

Prior to B-C, she starred at Citrus College, as a sophomore,  she appeared in 33 games and batted .356 with 5 HR and 27 RBI.  Lockett touted a slugging percentage of .624 and OBP of .437.  Lockett registered a game-winning double in an opening-round playoff victory and was named First Team Academic All-American.

“She has really quick hands through the zone,” Kazee-Hollifield said. “She’s got a ton of playing experience, which is something we’ll need.”

As a freshman with the Owls, she appeared in 36 games with 35 starts.  She was a second team All-WSC Blue Division honoree and hit .330 with 27 runs scored, three doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 16 RBI. 

She played high school ball for four varsity seasons at Colony.  Lockett earned first team All-Mt. Baldy League honors as a junior and senior.  She picked up second team All-Mt. Baldy League honors as a freshman and sophomore.

She is the daughter of Byrent and Jennifer Lockett and is majoring in Elementary Education.

Source: Adam Cavalier, Carson-Newman University Sports