PHILADELPHIA – Head coach Christie Novatin and the University of Pennsylvania softball program is excited to welcome six newcomers – Ella Athey-Stapleton, Kadence Avila-Petitt, Giuliana Cisek, Itzel Hernandez, Natalie Lau, and Isabella Martinez - for the 2027 season. 
 
"I'm excited for this class because I think they're going to provide a lot of grit and determination," says Novatin. "I expect you to be able to see the joy in the game, but more importantly even through the most competitive moments."
 
ELLA ATHEY-STAPLETON
RHP / R/R / Virginia Beach, Va. / Frank W. Cox High School
High School: Deca Regional winner, Deca States winner… National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society… 4x varsity Softball, 2022/23- Softball Varsity MVP, Silver Slugger award, 1st team all region, 2x Softball Varsity Silver Slugger award, 2x Softball Varsity MVP, 2x Softball varsity MVP, Emilie Tilley Outstanding Senior Female Athlete, 281 career Strikeouts
Club Team: Tampa Mustangs Gerovac (2022-2026), Hampton Roads Warriors (2021-2026), Top 25 In PGF Premier in 2024
Personal: Daughter of Amy Athey and Justin Stapleton… sister, Maya, played lacrosse 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because it gives me the opportunity to challenge myself both academically and athletically. As a student in the College of Arts and Sciences I am able to have the flexibility to explore different subjects and discover what I am truly passionate about. Softball also played a big part on my choice to come to Penn. Softball at Penn is a community where I can be held to high standards and be in a place where I can be pushed to be a better player and teammate. Overall, I wanted to attend a school where I could compete and win at a high level while also receiving an outstanding education. Penn has given me the opportunity to do both." 
 
KADENCE (KADY) AVILA-PETITT 
P/U / R/R / Des Moines, Wash. / Mount Rainier High School
High School: National honor society, Spanish honor society, summa cum laude… 3x basketball letter, 4x softball letter, three year softball captain
Club Team: KB Fastpitch (2020-2026)
Personal: Daughter of Kalimar and Dylan Avila Petitt
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because from the academics to the athletics, I won't find an opportunity like this anywhere else!" 
 
GIULIANA (ANA) CISEK 
SS / L/R / Orland Park, Ill / Victor J. Andrew High School
High School: NHS, Spanish Honors Society, Student Council, DECA, Variety Show… Varsity Basketball Captain, Varsity Softball Captain, Basketball, 2025 & 2026 MVP and All Conference, Softball All Conference and All State 2024-2026 
Club Team: Orland Park Sparks (2019-2025), Top 25 In PGF Premier in 2024… Chicago Cheetahs (2025-2026), Tier 3 Alliance Championship 2026
Personal: Daughter of Lisa and Adam Cisek… brother, Giuseppe, played lacrosse at Drury University… sister, Genna, plays softball
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of the opportunity to compete at a high level while also getting the chance to study a rigorous schedule at such a prestigious institution." 
 
ITZEL HERNANDEZ
RPH / R/R / Perris, Cali. / Arlington High School
High School: National Honors Society – President… Flag Football… Softball 3x All League MVP, River Valley League Champions, Most Career Post Season Innings, Most Strike Outs in a Season, Only Softball Pitcher to earn 3 All League MVP Awards
Club Team: Athletics Mercado… Batbusters 2024 AFON Champions… ZT Lady Prospects 2026 AFON Champions
Personal: Daughter of Guadalupe Moreno Morales and Javier Hernández… brothers, Miguel-Ángel Hernández and Javier Andres Hernánde, play soccer at University of Portland
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because I wanted a college that would challenge me academically while also giving me a strong sense of community. It was also a dream to have the opportunity to compete at the next level and a school like Penn that is rigorous on and off the field is exactly what I wanted. Penn felt like a place where I could grow both on and off the field and of course meeting my new teammates and already having a close bond with each other is just a bonus!"
 
NATALIE LAU
U  / R/R / Naperville, Ill. / Naperville Central
High School: National Honor Society… 8 Semesters 4.0 Award… 4-year Academic All-Conference… Chinese Honor Society… 4-year varsity softball (2026 Captain), 2026 IHSA Regional Champions, 2026 DVC Conference Champions (Undefeated)
Club Team: Orland Park Sparks (2025-2026)
Personal: Daughter of Laurie and Gordon Lau… mother played volleyball at Aquinas College, great grandmother, Dolly Neimiec Konwinski, AAGPBL Grand Rapids Chicks.
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn for its incredible academic environment and competitive athletics. I wanted a place where I could challenge myself, grow, and pursue my passions both in the classroom and on the softball field. I couldn't be more grateful to call Penn home." 
 
ISABELLA (LIZ) MARTINEZ
C  / R/R / Washington Heights, New York, N.Y. / High School for Math, Science, and Engineering
High School: Scholar Athlete Award… Research Intern at the Icahn School of Medicine… Hispanic Heritage Club President… Yorkville Youth Athletics Association 12U Softball Coach… Biomedical Club member… Basketball… Softball MVP (2026) & Scholar Athlete Award (2026)
Club Team: New Jersey Fire 18U Black, (2024)… NJ Intensity 16U KOD/KP, (2025)… NJ Intensity 18U KOD/RV (2026)
Personal: Daughter of Richard Martinez and Angelica Del Villar… cousin, Gavriel Del Villar, plays lacrosse at Embry Riddle
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because I knew that it would give me opportunities no other place could. The competitive yet welcoming atmosphere was one I knew I would thrive in, and Philadelphia is a vibrant city that hits very close to home."