RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
In this pandemic era—with Dead Periods continually extended, the transfer portal expanding, college coaches recruiting via live streaming and major events being cancelled left and right—it’s pretty remarkable what Nate Eaton and his Team North Carolina program has been able to accomplish, especially at the end of 2020.
Considered one of the top organizations on the East Coast, Eaton’s program has been played deep into many major national tournaments over the last several years and that has translated into winning in recruiting as well.
The team is made up of a dozen 2022’s and two 2023’s and all of the 2022’s have committed since September 1—the last four months.
There have even been a trio of talented players who committed while on Eaton’s team before moving to other travel ball organizations: 2022 OF Katriel Williams (North Carolina A&T), 2022 P Sylvia Burroughs (Virginia) and P 2023 Tayven Stephensen (Kentucky).
That means all 14 current juniors, who are or have been on the original Team NC-Eaton squad, are locked and loaded to major programs.
Here’s the roster of current Team NC 2022’s and where they are headed:
- C/OF MC Eaton – Virginia
- P Courtney Layne – Virginia
- SS Atalyia Rijo – Virginia
- SS Janelle Ilacqua – Michigan
- OF Katriel Williams – NC A&T
- 3B/1B Emma Tisdale – Charlotte
- C/IF Lexi Winters – Charlotte
- OF Skyler Harrelson – East Carolina
- OF Ellie Goins – NC State
- P Rhyann Jones – Radford
- C/IF Ryan Starr – Syracuse
- P/UT Lilian Berry – Oregon State
- P Olivia Cainey – Purdue
So what has been the key to such success?
One reason, Coach Eaton believes, is how the players support and rally around each other.
“Our culture has been developed over time and our players love each other,” he explains. “One thing that has happened during this time is the girls have presented each other with commitment baskets after they commit. The girls are so excited to present these to each other and to receive them as well. The brackets are full of gear from the school they have committed to. On November 7th, nine of our players were presented with their baskets. Our next basket will go to Lilian Berry as she just committed to Oregon State!”
Click HERE to read Lilian’s Inside Pitch on how she fell in love with OSU!
Eaton continues, “The girls and the families have always asked, ‘How can we ever repay you for all that you’ve done?’ I have always said the only thing you ever need to do is get me a shirt from the school you commit to so I can wear it when I come cheer you on! The girls and families love giving these shirts out to those that have helped along the way. This is so cool for them and me.”
Lexi Winters, who is headed to UNC Charlotte agrees: “Yes, of course it’s an amazing thing that all of us have verballed, but honestly what made it so great was the entire process and being able to experience it alongside my teammates and my coaches, who worked very hard for each of us through the fall. We were all in the same boat because of rules changes and COVID, so we had the opportunity to support each other without judgment of where we verballed to or how long it took!”
The swag baskets were icing on the cake, she says.
“I love them and the reasoning behind it! Not only does it give us new gear to our future schools, but it allows us to physically see the support from our teammates, coaches and parents. Being new to the team this fall, getting my basket really showed the overall support from everybody involved and the true happiness that everyone has for one another!”
Ellie Goins, who is headed to NC State, echoes the sentiments about the team comradery being important to all.
“Seeing where each other will play at the next level is something a lot of us have looked forward to for years,” she begins. “We are all so happy for each other! Receiving the commitment baskets is a great reward for our commitments but mostly, it makes us feel appreciated and supported with our decision. Some of our recruiting processes have not been easy, so being gifted with the baskets is a cool reward we get for all of our hard work!”
*** Scroll down to learn more about what helped Coach Eaton and Team NC get all their 2022’s committed…