The Black and Gold athletic department announced the signing of four new UNCP players, with two joining the women’s basketball program.
The UNCP tennis and softball teams also announced new additions since their seasons ended.
UNCP women’s basketball coach John Haskins announced two new additions to the women’s program this spring, as Redlands, Calif., native Domonique Washington and Chesterfield, S.C., native Victoria McVicker signed their National Letters of Intent this month.
Washington, a 5-6 guard who transferred from Mohawk Valley Community College, enters UNCP with junior eligibility. At MVCC, Washington earned All-region honors and Mountain Valley Player of the Year honors while averaging 15 points and five rebounds a game with the Hawks. Washington also averaged five assists per game while leading the Hawks to a top five national ranking during most of their season.
We are excited that Domonique has decided to join our basketball program,” Haskins said. “She is an experienced guard who can handle and distribute the ball, and though she has the ability to score, she looks first to set up her teammates. Domonique is also a very good defender and will be counted on to make an immediate impact in our program.”
Along with Washington, McVicker announced her intentions of playing with the Braves next season.
The Chesterfield High School senior averaged 18.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.9 steals and 4.0 rebounds per game at the guard position while leading her team to a regional championship.
McVicker was named all-state and all-region twice in her high school career.
“We are very excited that Victoria has decided to attend UNC Pembroke,” Haskins said. “She is an excellent athlete who is extremely versatile on the basketball court with the ability to play defense as well as several offensive positions. Victoria is an excellent person, student and player, and we feel that she is an outstanding addition to our program.”
McVicker and Washington will join the Lady Braves program that finished 14-14 overall with an 8-10 record in conference play. The Lady Braves’ season ended with an 89-10 loss to Lander in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference tournament.
Tennis adds Herlocker
The Black and Gold tennis program also added a new addition to their roster April 30, as head coach Robin Langley announced the signing of Hannah Herlocker to the Braves’ program.
Herlocker, a Albemarle, N.C., native, finished her high school career with an 86-12 record at North Stanley High School. Herlocker finished her senior season with a 31-2 mark in conference play this season and is a three-time all-state selection.
Herlocker earned four all-conference selections and was named the conference’s player of the year three seasons in a row.
“I’m very pleased to announce the addition of Hannah Herlocker to our team,” Langley said. “Hannah is a very impressive young lady both on and off the courts. Once Hannah had an opportunity to spend time with the team, it was clear that she was going to fit right in. I know Hannah understands the rigors and lofty expectations of competing at the collegiate level and I feel confident that she will thrive in our program.”
Herlocker will join the Braves after the team finished with an 11-14 mark with a 2-10 record in their PBC contests.
Softball signee
Rounding out the Braves’ spring signees, the UNCP softball program added Kenersville, N.C., native Kat Zimmer on April 30.
A product of Robert B. Glenn High School, Zimmer dominated her opponents on the mound, posting a state-high 18 wins this season. Zimmer recorded a paltry 1.06 earned run average this season while racking up 108 strikeouts in her senior season.Zimmer allowed batters just a 1.93 batting average this season, while she batted .308 at the plate this season with seven RBIs.
“Kat is going to be a great addition for our program,” UNCP softball head coach Lacinda Melanson said. “We know she is a hard worker both on the field and in the classroom. We expect her to complement our pitching staff well next year and she also has the ability to hit. We are very excited to see her in a Braves jersey and feel confident she will represent our program in a positive way.”
Last year the Black and Gold softball team racked up a 29-19 record with a 10-10 mark in Peach Belt Conference play.
