Commit News: Tennessee Native Camryn Sarvis of Carolina Elite Realizes Life-Long Dream… & Verbals to the Vols!

 It’s a whole new world in recruiting when it comes to committing.

In the “good ole days,” players would be on campus and tell a happy coaching staff she’d like to attend their school; nowadays, it quite often happens via electronics, especially Zoom calls.

That was the case Tuesday night at 8:30 when talented 2020 infielder Camryn Sarvis of Grey, Tennessee had the entire Tennessee Vols coaching staff on an hour-long Zoom call and told the SEC coaches what they were hoping to hear: she’s staying home.

“Playing softball at the University of Tennessee has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl,” an excited Camryn told Extra Inning Softball on Thursday, “and that dream is becoming a reality!”

Camryn is a true utility player for Dana Fusetti’s Carolina Elite National Team where she plays middle infield and both corners.  For three out of the past five years, she has been among the leaders on her club team in several offensive categories including hits, doubles, triples, home runs and RBI’s with a batting average of .430 during this period.

The current junior has also started at third base since her freshman season at Daniel Boone High (Grey, Tennessee) where, only halfway through her prep career, she has collected 51 hits, 13 extra base hits, five home runs and 22 RBIs.

“Camryn has been one of the hardest workers I have ever coached,” says Coach Dana. “She has not let this whole COVID pandemic and the change in the normal setting of recruiting deter her one moment.”

“She’s been completely diligent with her videos and emails along with handwritten cards to multiple schools. I am very, very proud of this girl and I’m very fortunate to be her coach and be a part of this journey.”

Here’s video of the latest Tennessee commit as she works out indoors… you can see her quickness and athleticism and why she’s SEC caliber!

When it’s snowy outside, I hit the racquetball courts, minus the racquet. 😂 #BeElite #1PercentBetterEveryday @EliteFusetti @Los_Stuff @StriveSoftball @ExtraInningSB @FloSoftball @IHartFastpitch @D1Softball @BBOS_Nation pic.twitter.com/XILZZveBKX

— Camryn.Sarvis (@CamrynSarvis) February 3, 2021

A 4.0 student who is in the Student Athlete Leadership Club, Camryn is appreciate of what Coach Dana and her assistants—Chuck Godwin (whose daughter is Hannah, the preseason ACC All-Conference honoree at Clemson) and Craig Mercer—has done to help her on her path to playing in the SEC.

“I would say I’m most confident on defense,” she answers when asked what she thinks are her strengths and got her the opportunity to commit to the Vols.

“I love that my coaches Dana, Chuck and Craig trust that they can put me in any position and I will own it and go all out. Being able to work with my hitting instructor Mark Webber and coach Chuck and Fusetti has given me a ton of confidence in hitting.”

The young athlete reveals that her coaches have been more like family and she looks forward to that feeling at Tennessee, which is coached by husband and wife co-leaders Ralph and Karen Weekly.

“Other than Little League,” Camryn recalls, “I’ve only been on two travel teams in my life. I began with a local team called Blue Blaze at 10U—which sadly dissolved when my coach, Lee Patsel, had to move to Kentucky—and led me on my search for a new team.”

“Finding Carolina Elite SC and Coach Fusetti, who is both a tough coach and a cheerleader, and one that works so hard for all her players on the team, has been amazing.  Both of the teams I’ve been a part of were way more than just softball teams. The girls and parents became my family.  I’ve always thought that this was my most special softball experience; there have been so many trips and memories with my family and best friends over the years and I appreciate every moment I have received.”

Camryn, who also plays varsity basketball for Boone High, appreciates that she will get to live a dream and play for the team she’s always cheered for since childhood.

“I love that I’m living just an hour and a half away from the campus as we’ve grown up huge Tennessee fans!” she explains. You always hear your parents or other adults saying if you work hard you can accomplish anything and achieve your dreams. My commitment to UT is proof of that!  I can’t wait to share my journey and story with young players so they can also have confidence and diligence in achieving their dreams too.”

— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball