VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova University softball program will welcome five newcomers for the 2025 season, with each of the players signing to the 'Cats this week.

Pitchers Lexi Kobryn (Hillsborough, N.J.) and Sophia Mount (Livingston, N.J.) as well as utility options Maddy Burns (Fallston, Md.), Ava Mahnken (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Jaclyn Morra (West Babylon, N.Y.) each signed letters of intent on Nov. 8 to join the Wildcats.

"I'm extremely excited about this signing class as they have a tough act to follow, since we will graduate eight who have played in and won BIG EAST championships," head coach Bridget Orchard said. "I am confident this class can step in and take advantage of the opportunity to continue our championship culture. They all love to compete, work hard and most importantly are great people. We're thrilled to have them and their families join our Villanova softball family."
 

Maddy Burns
P/OF / 5'8 / R/R
Fallston, Md. / Fallston

Fallston High School: Earned four varsity letters in softball as a pitcher and outfielder … All-County selection in all four years, three-time all-state and three-time Player of the Year … Struck out 100 batters in 50 innings pitched as a junior … Served as a four-year team captain … Spent five years with the PA Chaos travel team ranked 19th by Extra Innings …Also played two years of varsity basketball as a shooting guard … Earned distinguished honors for academic work in each year … Maintained a 4.75 GPA two years in a row with straight A's four years straight.

Personal: Born 02/27/06 … One of four daughters of Amy and Jeremy Burns … Has three sisters: Mackenzie, Brooklyn and Kaelyn … Chose to attend Villanova for "the amazing academic and athletic programs" … Plans to major in nursing.

Orchard on Burns: "Maddy is a competitor. She brings a ton of energy to everything she does and will contribute as a hitter, outfielder and pitcher."

Lexi Kobryn
P / 5'11 / R/R
Hillsborough, N.J. / The Hun School

The Hun School of Princeton: Played four years of varsity softball as a pitcher … Three-time first team all-state and all-conference … Twice a league MVP and a three-time selection for the Iron Women award … Pitched 219 innings and struck out 433 batters from her freshman through junior year … Totaled 83 hits, 75 RBI and 14 home runs in her time at the plate … Plays travel with Newtown Rock 18U Gold - Garvey … Earned three mentions on the academic honor roll.

Personal: Born 1/7/06 … One of four children and only daughter of Marjorie and Scott Kobryn … Has three brothers: Tyler, Troy and Trevor … Tyler and Troy are professional hockey players and both played in college, Tyler at Wesleyan and Troy as a Merrimack goalie … Trevor is a pitcher for Siena College baseball … Chose to attend Villanova because of the "exceptional academics, winning culture, school spirit and proximity to home" … Planning to major in psychology.

Orchard on Kobryn: "Lexi is a dominant force on the mound that gets lots of swings and misses, and she'll contribute with the bat as well. She's a hard worker who challenges herself on and off the field."

Ava Mahnken
C/SS / 5'3 / R/R
Staten Island, N.Y. / CSI High School for International Studies

CSI High School for International Studies: Ranked No. 31 in the Class of 2024 by Extra Innings … Plays travel with PA Chaos 18U Gold - Spina … Member of the National Honor Society … Selected as Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence winner for outstanding academic achievement.

Personal: Born 1/31/06 … One of four children of John and Jeannette Mahnken … Has three siblings: Gianna, Adrianna and Valentina … Chose to attend Villanova because it "had the most welcoming environment while attending my visit. Villanova has great academics, strong athletics and a great atmosphere."

Orchard on Mahnken: "Ava will come in and immediately compete for the starting catcher position. She has both power and speed at the plate, and she's a gritty athlete that can also play the infield."

Jaclyn Morra
INF / 5'7 / R/R
West Babylon, N.Y. / St. Anthony's

St. Anthony's High School: Played four years of varsity softball as a shortstop … Earned Catholic League Player of the Year as a junior in addition to three selections to the All-Long Island and All-New York State teams … Three-time honoree as the team MVP and a two-year championship game MVP … Has maintained a .500 batting average in each of her three high school seasons, including 108 hits and 116 RBI … Played travel with Lady Dukes Gold Torres, the 24th ranked team per Extra Innings … Earned a varsity letter as a forward for the basketball team … Member of the National Honor Society … Earned High Honor Roll in every quarter and All-Academic Athlete Team in each of four years … St. Bonaventure Award winner for keeping GPA over a 94.5%.

Personal: Born 3/28/06 … Youngest daughter of Daniel and Lori Morra … Younger sister of Taylor (Villanova '24) and Danielle …Father played football at Central Connecticut State as an offensive tackle … Chose to attend Villanova "to receive a great education while being able to play softball at a high level" … Noted the coaching staff's ability to make her feel at home and the welcoming atmosphere created by the players … Plans to major in nursing.

Orchard on Morra: "Jaclyn is a fierce competitor who expects and knows how to win, she understands the winning culture coming off several state titles. She will make an immediate impact, bringing elite athleticism to the left side of the infield and RBI potential at the plate."

Sophia Mount
P / 5'7 / R/R
Livingston, N.J. / Livingston

Livingston High School: Earned four varsity letters for softball … Two-time first team all-county and all-conference … Earned second team all-state as a freshman and led the team to its first state championship in program history … Struck out more than 350 batters over 228 innings with an 0.41 ERA through her junior season … Has played travel with the NJ Pride since 12U.

Personal: Born 2/28/06 … Oldest of two children of Bill and Semira Mount … Older sister of Olivia … Grandfather, John Mount, played defensive end and tight end for Villanova in 1961 before suiting up for the New York Giants … Enjoys being around family and friends, working out and being outdoors … Chose to become a Wildcat because "Villanova has been my dream school ever since I was little. I have always wanted to be a part of the amazing softball program as well as attend the school because of the high academics" … Noted the resources Villanova has and the beauty of the campus … Plans to major in communications.

Orchard on Mount: "Sophia is a powerful pitcher who moves the ball well and wants to win. She gets after it and her intensity on the mound really stands out, she's a tireless worker who has competed at a high level."