DAPHNE, Ala. — Daphne High hosted a signing ceremony Thursday for a baker’s dozen DHS student-athletes who have accepted scholarships to play their sport in college.

Daphne athletic director Glenn Vickery introduced the recipients attending and addressed the gathering of friends, familty and media.

“It’s a special moment for the Daphne community as well as Daphne High School when this many student-athletes sign college scholarships to continue their education and play their sport,” he said. “It’s also a reflection of the hard work these kids put in, not only on the field but in the classroom. And it also shows the dedication and hard work of the great teachers and administrators and staff we have here. We’re all proud of our kids and what they have accomplished.”

The following statistics on each player were provided by their coach.

Boys and girls soccer: Daphne soccer coach Rick Andrew had his hands full with both teams making the final four this year. Four girls and two boys signed scholarships.

Brianna Heiss: University of Mobile - Two times, Heiss led the Lady Trojans to a final four. This year she helped them earn the red (2nd-Place trophy) map. A 3-year starter with an overall record of 66 wins to only 10 losses in her career, she helped amass over 30 shutouts. This year she had 26 goals and 10 assists as the starting sweeper. She is a four-year all-county, three-year all region selection and she was named to the all-state team in 09-10 season. “She has helped the Trojans reach the playoffs in each of her three seasons, two of them ending in Final Four appearances,” Andrew said. “Brianna is signing with Mobile where she is hopefully going to make an immediate impact. In my opinion she is the best defender in the state hands down and an overall strong player who is excellent in the air.”

Emily Baggett: University of Mobile - A four-year starter with a total of 36 goals and 40 assists for her career, this year scored 13 goals with four assists and won 82 games in her career. “Emily has played all over the field and is the most diverse player on the team,” Andrew said. “She is a four-year all-county, two-year all-region player. She has played in two final fours, and four playoffs and each year in high school she made it a round further than the year before.”

Sylvia Skultety: University of Mobile - A four-year starter for most of her career who is the all time leader in wins with 82, saves (503), and shutouts (43) in Daphne High School history. “She has grown so much and is a two-time all-county selection,” Andrew said.

Meghan Fogelsong: Spring Hill College - A four-year varsity player with eight career goals and nine career assists, she is also part of a senior class that has won 82 games in their careers. “Meghan played her best soccer when it counted the most in the playoffs. She has been a part of four playoff appearances and two final fours including the State Finals her senior year. She will bring a great work ethic and attitude to Spring Hill, a program that is rebuilding for the future.”

Austin Fiddler: Oglethorpe University - A two-year starter after moving here from Georgia. “Austin led the team in scoring last year with 27 goals and two assists and this year bettered himself with 30 goals and 10 assists,” Andrew said. “With 57 goals in a two-year career, he also helped the team to 38 wins against just 12 losses in that same two-year span. Austin brings great speed and skill to Oglethorpe and his work ethic is impeccable. Austin is a two year all-county and all-region selection and helped the Trojans to their first Final Four appearance in over six years.”

Dalton Pierce: Oglethorpe University - A three-year starter with a career record of 52-19. As a defender he has six career goals and eight assists and is an all county selection. “Dalton has a great work ethic and a blue collar mentality,” said Andrew. “He comes to work and says little. He is soft spoken but an intimidating presence on the field. He is a very strong player in the air with a great calmness within him. Dalton also helped the team to its first Final Four in six years."

Volleyball: Cherilyn Ramsey: Southern Wesleyan, S.C. - An all-county selection for four straight years, Ramsey leaves the high school court with 499 kills, 128 blocks, 272 digs, 29 assists and 54 aces. She was also Co-Captain, All-Region 1st Team, Coach's Award four years, All Region, Athlete of the Month Award - Optimist Club, Scholastic Athlete threeyears, Recipient of the Charity Cooper award for excellence in sportsmanship, Rotary Club Student of the Month Award, voted “Most Athletic” from her senior class, International Baccalaureate Program, National Honor Society, and Honor Roll. Team achievements: Four consecutive appearances in the state Elite Eight tournament, Regional Qualifier and Area Champs. In beach volleyball 17’s, 18’s first place doubles champs with Deanna Vogler. Club Bomba 17’s First Place Lizardfest, First Place Pleasure Island Volleyball Club Tournament. Overall GPA: 3.42/4.0 scale. Weighted GPA: 3.87/4.0 scale.

Deanna Vogler: Faulkner State Community College - A four-year Letterman as well, Vogler also made all county three years, was Co-Captain, Captain, All Region Team two years, Elite 8 Participant four straight years, All Academic Athlete two years, All State Team 2008-2009, Coach’s Trojan Award, Season Team High Aces, As a sophomore, she led her team in blocks and second in kills. She leaves DHS with 471 kills, 93 blocks, 221 digs, 46 assists and 75 aces. In beach volleyball 17’s, 18’s won first place doubles champs with Ramsey and won 16’s and under championships with former DHS setter Brooke Carpenter.

Daphne coach Edoli Herrion, who took over the program in 2010, said the pair of hitter/blockers would be missed.

“Deanna and Cherilyn have been a big part of the success Daphne had while they were here under coach K (Kay Flarity),” Herrion said. “And they really helped make my coming in so much easier. They are two outstanding young ladies and I wish I had them back, but I know they are ready to move on. I'm so proud of them and I'm glad I got to work with them.”

Softball: Jennifer Fisher: Jeff Davis Community College - Jennifer Fisher finished her high school softball career with a near perfect fielding percentage of better than .992 and was a dependable hitter as well earning all-county and all region honors the last three years.

Daphne coach L.T. Yelding said as the only senior this year, Fisher was a natural leader. “Jennifer has been outstanding while here at Daphne High School,” he said. “She will undoubtedly go down as one of the best defensive first basemen in Trojan history. She is an excellent leader on and off the field.”

Tennis: Ashley Ahern: St. Thomas University (Fla.) - Ashley Ahern played the No. 1 singles and doubles position most of her high school career (9th-12th grades) that began six seasons ago as a seventh-grade Letterman and made all county six straight years for coach Denise Grooms. Ahern has also made the section finals and the state semifinals. She is ranked No. 3 in the state by the USTA in her division.

Other DHS student-athetes accepting spring scholarships but unable to attend the signing ceremony were:

Basketball: Tyler Birch: Shelton Community College - The shooting point guard averaged 12 points and three steals per game for coach Cedric Yelding. Birch led the team in assists.

Preston Solomon: Faulkner State Community College - The power forward averaged 17 points and had 9.2 rebounds per game for Yelding. Both players made all county and helped lead the Trojans to the South Regional finals their senior year.

Baseball: Dillan Schaniel: Jeff Davis Community College - The all-county short-stop and pitcher lettered three years for coach Joe Hutchins and batted .330 and finished with nine home runs for the Trojans.