SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Following his June-25 appointment to lead the Converse University women's soccer team, head coach Colin Wylie has announced the signing of eight incoming student-athletes to join the team for the 2025 campaign. The class is evenly split with four of the team's additions being transfers and four coming in as freshmen.

"I am really excited about the incoming class we have this year as it's a good mixture of transfers and freshmen, which I believe can all add something to the group," stated Wylie of the 2025 incomers. "I know this class will be able to help us build on a successful season last year and help push us forward in achieving our goals as a program."

McKenzie Bundy joins the Valkyries as a junior-college transfer, spending her previous two seasons at USC Lancaster. Originally from Buford, she was twice selected all-region during her time with the Lancers, earning second-team honors following her freshman season and first-team honors following her sophomore season. Bundy helped lead the Lancers to a pair of Region 10 championships. Prior to her time in Lancaster, Bundy was a four-year letter winner in volleyball and soccer for Buford High School, also spending one season with the basketball team. On the pitch, she was a two-time region champion, helping lead the Yellow Jackets to the 2021 and 2022 Region 3 championships. Bundy was named the 2022 Region Player of the Year and was named to the all-state team. She thrice earned all-region honors while also taking home the team's MVP award. In 33 career high school games, Bundy netted 43 goals and 22 assists.

Malaya Fuller comes to Converse from USC Lancaster where she appeared in 16 games as a sophomore last season. She netted the Lancers two goals and assisted on seven for 11 total points. Fuller earned first team all-region honors following the conclusion of her sophomore campaign. Prior to her time in Lancaster, Fuller spent her freshman season at Bluefield State University, appearing in 18 games and making 13 starts. Prior to her collegiate career, Fuller, originally from Ajax, Ontario, Canada, played for Pickering High School.

Kaylynn Griffis comes to the Hub City from Cedar Hill, Texas, where she was a four-year letter winner for Life High School Waxahachie. During her time with the Mustangs, she helped the team to 61 shutouts and scored 16 goals of her own. A three-year captain, Griffis was a four-time all-region and all-district selection, a two-time all-state selection, a 2025 selection to the Texas High School Coaches Association Super Elite team, a UIL All-Tournament team selection, a two-time utility MVP, and the three-time District Defensive MVP. Off the pitch, she was a member of the National Honor Society, a recipient of the GMC Scholarship, the 2025 LHSW Lady Mustang of the Year, a four-year A honor roll member, a Life Leader and the Health Science Award recipient.

Kathryn Hoffman joins the Valkyries from Punta Gorda, Florida, where she was a four-year letter winner for the Babcock Neighborhood School. A two-time team captain, she was named all-conference three times, all-state once and all-area once. She was the team's Rookie of the Year in 2021 and the team's MVP in 2022, 2023 and 2025. Over the course of her high school career, she netted 47 goals. Her older sister, Alicia, plays for Minnesota State, and both are first-generation college athletes.

Samantha Novik comes to Converse as a senior transfer from Limestone University. Originally from Parkland, Florida, she was a four-year letter winner for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. During her time at Limestone, she appeared in 32 games and made 12 starts.

Ashlyn Parsick also joins the team from Limestone University. Originally from Bluffton, she played high school soccer at Hilton Head Prep. She helped lead the Dolphins to three region championships while also earning three region team of the year honors. Following her senior season, she was named the region player of the year. Off the pitch, she was a member of Interact, HHP Yearbook, FCA and Zonta, serving as president of Interact and secretary of Zonta. At Limestone, she played in five games and made one start.

Julia Salo also joins the Valkyries from the Palmetto State, hailing from Lexington. She was a two-year letter winner for the River Bluff High School soccer team. Salo was an SCHSL 5A D1 all-state selection her junior and senior years, an all-area selection those same years, a North-South All-Star Game selection following her junior season and a Clash of the Carolinas selection following her senior season. In her two seasons with the Gators, she had a goals against average of 0.526, the best in River Bluff program history. During her sophomore and junior years, she spent time in Germany playing with FC Nürnberg U17 and U20. Off of the pitch, Salo was a member of the National Honor Society.

Zoe Villegas comes to the Hub City from Chino Hills, California and Chino Hills High School, where she was a dual-sport athlete, competing in both soccer and flag football. When not competing for the Huskies, she played with Sporting California, Legends FC and LA Surf.

The 2025 edition of the Converse Valkyries opens the season on Thursday, Sept. 4, as they travel to Newberry to take on the Newberry Wolves. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 P.M.

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