Cards Welcome Six Signees

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville softball coach Holly Aprile has announced that six prospective student-athletes have signed National Letters-of-Intent to continue their education and softball careers at the University of Louisville. Riley Janda, Mikayla Milby, Taylor Monroe, Madison Pickens, Ryann Sanders and Jordan Williams will join the Cardinals in the fall of 2024.

Riley Janda
Position: INF
Hometown: Greenwood, Ind.
High School: Center Grove
Travel Team: Indiana Magic Gold Green
Riley Janda comes to Louisville from Greenwood, Ind., where she helped Center Grove to the 2023 Johnson County Tournament title and a sectional championship in 2021.

The infielder was named to the All-State Super Team in 2022 and the All-Freshman Super Team in 2021.

Janda also plays for the Indiana Magic Gold Green travel team and is ranked among the top 35 in the Extra Inning Softball Midwest Region.

Her success also extends to the classroom, earning MIC Academic Conference recognition in 2021 and Academic All-Trojan honors in 2022 and 2023. Janda also received the Playbook Leadership Award in 2022.

Coach Holly Aprile on Riley Janda
"Riley is a smooth and efficient infielder with the ability to play multiple positions at a high level. Her speed and versatility will be a welcome addition!"

Riley Janda on Louisville Softball
"I chose Louisville because it immediately felt like the perfect fit. When I met the coaches and did a camp with them, I knew their coaching style was exactly what I had been hoping to find. They are a great balance that I believe creates an environment to grow as a player. The campus is beautiful and players have created the feeling of a family culture. I am so excited to be a part of Louisville Softball."

Adding an infielder to the mix ??

Welcome to the Ville, Riley!#GoCards pic.twitter.com/rX64vnai3V
— Louisville Softball (@LouisvilleSB) November 8, 2023

Mikayla Milby
Position: INF
Hometown: Louisville, KY
High School: Ballard
Travel: Louisville Lady Sluggers – Huecker U18
Mikayla Milby chose to play for her hometown Cardinals after graduating from Ballard High School where she has helped the Bruins capture back-to-back state championships.

As a junior, the shortstop batted .485 with a .928 slugging percentage to lead Ballard to the Kentucky High School State Championship and a 35-1 overall record. During her sophomore year, she helped key the Bruins to a 39-0 record en route to the state title.

Entering her senior season, Milby's high school highlights already include All-State, All-State Tournament, All-District and All-Region honors.

Milby also plays for the Louisville Lady Sluggers Huecker U18 travel team.

Coach Holly Aprile on Mikayla Milby
"Mikayla comes to us from Ballard High School, where there is a great tradition and winning mentality. She has speed, power, and the desire to be great. We are excited to coach and develop her."

Mikayla Milby on Louisville Softball
"After going everywhere I traveled for the summer, I realized I wanted to stay home and the players and coaches made me feel extremely welcome."

L1C4?????? can't waitttt https://t.co/w2pvup99zH
— Mikayla Milby (@le_milby1) November 8, 2023

Taylor Monroe
Position: INF
Hometown: Spencer, Ind.
High School: Owen Valley
Travel Team: Beverly Bandits – Conroy
Taylor Monroe comes to Louisville from Spencer, Ind., where she is a three-year letterwinner for Owen Valley High School. Entering her senior season, she already owns the school's record for home runs in a season (12) and career (27) as well as the all-time RBI mark with 106.

The infielder is a three-time All-Western Indiana Conference selection and stands among the top 35 in the Extra Inning Softball Midwest Region rankings.

Monroe also plays for the Beverly Bandits Premier 18U Conroy travel team.

The multi-sport athlete also played golf, volleyball, basketball and has lettered in track and field.

Coach Holly Aprile on Taylor Monroe
"Taylor is a Cardinal through and through. She loves Louisville and the game of softball and it shows up in everything that she does. We are so excited to have her join our family."

Taylor Monroe on Louisville Softball
"I have loved the University of Louisville since I was little. I love the coaches and the environment at UofL, and I can't wait to be a Card!"

Officially official ??

So glad you're a Card, Taylor!#GoCards pic.twitter.com/L74VyR5nZk
— Louisville Softball (@LouisvilleSB) November 8, 2023

Madison Pickens
Position: C/OF
Hometown: Flowery Branch, Ga.
High School: Buford
Travel Team: Georgia Impact Sampson
Madison Pickens joins the Cardinals from Flowery Branch, Ga., where she helped Buford High School earn back-to-back state titles and a pair of final four finishes.

As a senior, Pickens was tabbed the 2023 Region and Gwinnett County Player of the Year after leading the Wolves to a 32-0 record and their second state championship. The catcher/outfielder also earned all-region first team, named to the GADC All-Star Team after blasting a school-record 20 home runs and carrying a .609 batting average – including a 24-game hitting streak, .660 on-base percentage, 52 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Her impressive high school softball resume also includes a trio of all-region first team honors and a pair of all-county and all-state team nods.

Pickens also plays for the Georgia Impact 18U Premier Sampson travel team.

The dual-sport athlete has also lettered in basketball.

Coach Holly Aprile on Madison Pickens
"Madison brings championship experience and the ability to make game winning plays. She will make an immediate impact with her power at the plate and poise behind the plate."

Madison Pickens on Louisville Softball
"I chose UofL because of the connections I was able to make with the coaches and how they made it feel like home. I loved the campus and can really see me enjoying the softball program and school. I am very excited to be spending my next years at UofL."

The first NLI is in ??

Welcome home, Madison!#GoCards pic.twitter.com/Fz1ih7WMiu
— Louisville Softball (@LouisvilleSB) November 8, 2023

Ryann Sanders
Position: RHP
Hometown: Bella Vista, Ark.
High School: Bentonville
Travel Team: Select Fastpitch 18U Jones/Byrn
Ryann Sanders joins the Cardinals from Bella Vista, Ark., where she helped lead Bentonville High School to a pair of state titles in 2021 and 2022.

The right-handed pitcher earned 2023 All-State and All-Arkansas Preps honors after posting a 26-2 record and a 1.357 ERA with 172 strikeouts in 129.0 innings of work. As a sophomore, she was named the 2022 state championship Most Valuable Player after the Tigers captured their second straight state title.

Entering her senior season, the two-time all-state honoree has collected a pair of all-conference nods and is a two-time All-Northwestern Arkansas Democrat Gazette selection.

Sanders also plays for Select Fastpitch 18U Jones/Byrn which is ranked sixth in the nation according to Extra Inning Softball.

The dual-sport athlete has also lettered in volleyball.

Coach Holly Aprile on Ryann Sanders
"Ryann has great action on the ball and she understands how to attack batters. She is our first recruit from the state of Arkansas and we are thrilled that she is a Card!"

Ryann Sanders on Louisville Softball
"I chose UofL because I absolutely fell in love with the softball program, the coaches, the campus, and the city. I had gone up to a Louisville camp in the summer of 2022 and wasn't sure what to expect, but when I arrived, I was immediately welcomed by all the coaches and current players. I was so impressed with the facilities, campus, and the softball program. When the weekend was over, I knew that whenever September 1st came, Louisville would be my first choice. In October, I went on my visit to UofL and fell even more in love with everything Louisville committed to play there that same weekend."

Ryann is the next to join the squad ??

So happy to have you!#GoCards pic.twitter.com/J6rhN3oPK7
— Louisville Softball (@LouisvilleSB) November 8, 2023

Jordan Williams
Position: OF
Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
High School: Denmark
Travel Team: Beverly Bandits 18U Conroy
Jordan Williams comes to Louisville from Cumming, Ga., where she was a four-year starter for Denmark High School and helped the Danes to a pair of regional runner-up finishes and 7A sweet 16 appearances.

As a senior, she carried a .490 batting average with 37 runs and 16 stolen bases and was named to the Georgia Dugout Club All-State team. The three-time All-7A Region and All-Forsyth County selection capped her high school career as Denmark's record holder in several categories including: games played, hits, doubles, triples, runs and stolen bases.

Williams, a Triple Crown Futures All-American, also plays for the Beverly Bandits 18U Conroy travel team and helped her squad to the USA Junior Olympic Cup and Colorado Power Pool, Triple Crown and Legacy $10,000 National Championships.

She has been ranked as high as No. 34 overall by Extra Inning Softball and 12^th among outfielders. Legacy Legends listed her as the No. in their player rankings.

The multi-sport athlete is also a two-time Offensive Player of the Year in flag football and lettered in track and field while competing in the 4c100m, 200m and long jump.

Her success also extends to the classroom as a four-time all-academic team selection.

Coach Holly Aprile on Jordan Williams
"Jordan has speed, power, and solid short game. She runs the bases well and will help churn our offense."

Jordan Williams on Louisville Softball
"One of the main reasons why I chose UofL was because the first time I attended a camp, I instantly was welcomed and everyone made me feel like I was at home. When we were leaving, I just knew this was the place I wanted to play, the school I wanted to attend and the coaches I wanted to play for.

The family is getting bigger ??

Welcome to the Ville, Jordan!#GoCards pic.twitter.com/Y4J3BJwwB5
— Louisville Softball (@LouisvilleSB) November 8, 2023

University of Louisville Athletics

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