University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Softball Adds Six On National Signing Day
November 12, 2025 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina softball head coach Megan Smith Lyon and her staff are excited to announce the addition of six future Tar Heels with the signing of their athletic scholarship agreement: Kensley Davis, Madalyn Davis, Ava Grace Pruitt, Mallory Reed, Allison Ryan and Taylor Smith.
Â
Name:Â Kensley Davis
Position:Â Utility
Hometown:Â Taylorsville, NC
High School:Â Alexander Central High School
Why Carolina?: "I chose Carolina because I loved the atmosphere the coaches have created. I have been a Tar Heel fan all my life and consider it a great honor to be able to play and represent my home state. I visited my first camp here when I was 11 and fell in love with the campus. I'm excited to wear the best blue… Carolina Blue!"
Position:Â OF
Hometown:Â Montgomery, Texas
High School:Â Lake Creek High School
Why Carolina?: "As soon as I stepped on campus it immediately felt like home and the coaches reciprocated that same feeling towards me as well!"
Position:Â P
Hometown:Â Reidsville, N.C.
High School:Â Rockingham County High School
Why Carolina?: "I have always loved Carolina. The coaches and staff are filled with so much support and positivity. Being at campus felt more like a second home than just a school. Carolina did not just seem like a program, but it felt like family."
Name:Â Mallory Reed
Position:Â P
Hometown:Â Goldsboro, N.C.
High School:Â Eastern Wayne High School
Why Carolina?: "It's such a beautiful place with amazing people. I can't wait to be a part of it and it feels like home."
Position:Â UTL
Hometown:Â Raleigh, N.C.
High School:Â Wakefield High School
Why Carolina?: "It's always been a goal of mine to play for a program with high standards both athletically and academically. I want to play for coaches that care for and develop their athletes, and I want to play with teammates who are proud of the jersey they wear. When I stepped on UNC's campus, I fell in love with the school and when I put on that Carolina Blue, I didn't want to take it off."
Position:Â Utility
Hometown:Â Apopka, Fla.
High School:Â Apopka High School
Why Carolina?: "Every staff member treated me as if they'd known me for years. I felt very loved and appreciated for being my true self. With me being from Florida I was a little nervous to be far, but once I got to know everyone they felt like family. I love Carolina and everything they stand for."
Â
Name:Â Kensley Davis
Position:Â Utility
Hometown:Â Taylorsville, NC
High School:Â Alexander Central High School
Why Carolina?: "I chose Carolina because I loved the atmosphere the coaches have created. I have been a Tar Heel fan all my life and consider it a great honor to be able to play and represent my home state. I visited my first camp here when I was 11 and fell in love with the campus. I'm excited to wear the best blue… Carolina Blue!"
- 4.45 GPA
- Beta Club
- National Technical Honors Society
- Chick-fil-A Leadership
- Cougar-Connect
- All Honors/AP
- 2022 Extra Innings #42 overall
- 2023 #5 ranked 1B overall
- 2023 Hot Stove "Rising Star" freshman award
- 2023 4A tournament MVP
- 2023 4A All-State
- 2023 club Team NC Baylog led team in all offensive categories except SB
- 2024 4A All-State
- 2024 Sophomore Year 4A POY BA.667/ OBP.719
- 2024 PGF All American National Watchlist
- 2024 club Mojo Sherill 16u led team in all offensive categories except SB
- 2024 club/fall 18u Team NC Hinde #2 in HR's and OBP with a BA of .422 as 16 yr old
- 2024 Line Drive #13 overall
- 2025 4A All-State
- 2025 Tied HS single season HR record w 11HR
- 2025 Broke Career HS HR record junior year
- 2025 ACHS Hall of Fame
- 2025 PGF All American National Watchlist
- 2025 Line-Drive #14 overall
- 2025 club/fall Team NC Hinde 18u #1 in BA.511, OBP.585, RBIs 24, #2 in HR and SLG
- Exit velo PR 82 mph
- PR OF 70 mph
Position:Â OF
Hometown:Â Montgomery, Texas
High School:Â Lake Creek High School
Why Carolina?: "As soon as I stepped on campus it immediately felt like home and the coaches reciprocated that same feeling towards me as well!"
- 2023 state champs
- 2023 state all-tournament team
- 2x 1st team all-district
- academic all district
- 2023 All Montgomery county team
- 2x NFCA 2nd team all-region
- SB live 2nd team all state
- 2023 All vype team
- All greater Houston 2nd team infield
- 2023 National champs
- 2023 Extra Innings team of the year
- Ranked #20 by LineDrive Softball Media
- SB live 2nd team all state
- 2023 Extra Innings team of the year
- National Honor Society Member
- All A Honor Roll
Position:Â P
Hometown:Â Reidsville, N.C.
High School:Â Rockingham County High School
Why Carolina?: "I have always loved Carolina. The coaches and staff are filled with so much support and positivity. Being at campus felt more like a second home than just a school. Carolina did not just seem like a program, but it felt like family."
-  2021 – Top Gun 12u Tournament MVP – Myrtle Beach
-  2022–2023 – Junior Varsity Volleyball
-  2023–2024 – Varsity Volleyball
-  2024–2026 – Varsity Golf
-  2022–2025 – Varsity Basketball (All-Conference; Offensive Player of the Year – Fr, So, Jr)
-  2022–2025 – Varsity Softball (All-Conference, All-District, All-State)
-  2024–2025 – Mid State Pitcher of the Year
-  2024–2025 – District Pitcher of the Year
-  2025 – MaxPreps North Carolina Pitcher of the Year
-  2025 – North Carolina 3A State Champion
-  2025 – Second Team All-American
-  2025 – Set Single Game Strikeout Record (19 Ks)
- Â Career Records (Rockingham County High School):
- Â All-Time Strikeouts: 715
-  Career Wins: 60–11
- Â Career ERA: 1.65
- Â WHIP: 1.022
- Â Opponent Batting Avg: .150
- Â IP: 813 | Batters Faced: 3,403
- Â Hits: 419 | Runs: 329 | Earned Runs: 226
- Â Walks: 437 | Strikeouts: 1,507
-  Record Holder – ERA Record (.745), Season Strikeouts (287), Season Wins (28–8)
Name:Â Mallory Reed
Position:Â P
Hometown:Â Goldsboro, N.C.
High School:Â Eastern Wayne High School
Why Carolina?: "It's such a beautiful place with amazing people. I can't wait to be a part of it and it feels like home."
- 2x All state and All District for NC
- Pitcher of the year for All State and All District NC
- 3x High school OT first team
- NC Strikeout Queen
- 3x All Conference & MVP
- 3x School Softball & Volleyball Captain
- 3x FFA Officer currently holding the office of President
- 2x National Honors Society and currently holding the office of President
- Student ambassador
- head editor/photographer of yearbook club
- 3x A Honor RollÂ
- Junior Marshall
Position:Â UTL
Hometown:Â Raleigh, N.C.
High School:Â Wakefield High School
Why Carolina?: "It's always been a goal of mine to play for a program with high standards both athletically and academically. I want to play for coaches that care for and develop their athletes, and I want to play with teammates who are proud of the jersey they wear. When I stepped on UNC's campus, I fell in love with the school and when I put on that Carolina Blue, I didn't want to take it off."
- 2021 - Colorado Sparkler All-Star Game
- 2021 - Fastpitch Northwest Championship Tournament
- 2023 - Scenic City All Tournament Team
- 2024 - PGF All American Watch List
- 2024 - Colorado Sparkler Power Pool Showcase Game
Position:Â Utility
Hometown:Â Apopka, Fla.
High School:Â Apopka High School
Why Carolina?: "Every staff member treated me as if they'd known me for years. I felt very loved and appreciated for being my true self. With me being from Florida I was a little nervous to be far, but once I got to know everyone they felt like family. I love Carolina and everything they stand for."
- 2x MVP
- Homerun record holder (14 in a season)
- All time stats leader in every stat at Apopka HS
- USSA All American
- Minority prospect softball all American
- FL district 7 ranks: #3 in slugging, #2 in RBI, #1 in home runs
UNC Men's Basketball: Tar Heels Battle Back to Top #14 Virginia, 85-80
Saturday, January 24
Carolina Insider - Interview with Reese Brantmeier (Full Segment) - January 23, 2026
Saturday, January 24
UNC Gymnastics: Tar Heels Down Pitt in Carmichael
Saturday, January 24
UNC Women's Basketball: Tar Heels Outlast Georgia Tech, 54-46
Friday, January 23