Photo by: Catherine Harney
Freshman Class Brings Athleticism, Versatility and Creativity to USC Upstate
7/10/2026 6:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer
USC Upstate women's soccer will welcome a ten-player freshman class to Spartanburg for the 2026 season, adding athleticism and positional versatility throughout the field.
The group includes nine true freshmen and transfer Jasmyn Mitchner, who maintains freshman eligibility after enrolling early and spending the spring semester at UCF.
"I am really pleased with our recruiting class," head coach Sam Odell said. "Patrick and I have put a lot of time and effort into building relationships and finding the right players for the championship culture we are creating."
Kayla Cervantes adds a different dimension to the Spartans' goal. The left-footed goalkeeper has good athleticism and an ability to contribute in possession. Cervantes can find passes, help conduct possession and operate as an additional field player when Upstate builds from the back.
"Kayla is a really athletic goalkeeper who is also very good with the ball at her feet," Odell said. "She can find a pass, help us control possession and give us another field player when we need it."
Summer Jacobs is an extremely versatile player who can contribute in the midfield or along the back line, with Odell primarily envisioning her as a defender. Jacobs is comfortable with both feet, can break defensive lines with her passing and brings strong physical traits to the position.
"Summer gives us a lot of flexibility," Odell said. "She is good on the ball, can play with both feet and has the passing ability to move us through pressure."
Gracie Black arrives as an athletic center back with experience competing for one of the country's top club programs. Black is an excellent one-on-one defender whose grit, intelligence and athleticism allow her to navigate difficult situations. She also gives the Spartans another defender who is comfortable with the ball.
"Gracie is a very athletic defender who competes in every moment," Odell said. "She reads the game well, is excellent one-on-one and has the ability to play the way we want to play from the back."
Nevaeh Roarke will provide creativity and unpredictability across Upstate's front three. Rourke is dangerous in one-on-one situations and plays with the freedom to attempt something different each time she receives the ball.
"I love Nevaeh's expression with the ball," Odell said. "She is creative, willing to take players on and has the confidence to try something different. That is an exciting quality for an attacking player."
Jasmyn Mitchner joins the Spartans after enrolling early and spending the spring semester at UCF. The freshman attacker brings experience from another institution, along with creativity and strong one-on-one ability. Odell expects Mitchner to help generate opportunities within Upstate's attack.
"Jasmyn is an exciting attacking player," Odell said. "She is very creative, good one-on-one and has the ability to add another level of chance creation to our attacking unit."
Grace Alvarez gives the Spartans another versatile attacking option capable of contributing anywhere across the front three. Her unique skill set allows her to both create chances for teammates and finish opportunities herself.
"Grace can play in several different attacking positions," Odell said. "She has the ability to score goals, create chances and give us something different throughout the front line."
Deyla McCoy can play centrally as a forward or move to either wing, although the Spartans primarily envision her as a nine. McCoy has a strong eye for goal and makes creative movements around the penalty area to place herself in dangerous scoring positions.
"Deyla is someone who wants to get on the end of chances," Odell said. "She moves really well in and around the box and has the instincts to put herself in positions to score."
Jorie Szamecki adds speed and athleticism on the wing. She looks to attack defenders in one-on-one situations and can use her movement to threaten space behind the opposition's back line.
"Jorie has some really exciting athletic traits," Odell said. "She is willing to take on defenders and can make impactful runs in behind the defense."
Jersie Szamecki, Jorie's twin sister, brings similar athletic qualities to the defensive side of the field. She is a strong one-on-one defender with the recovery speed to respond to opponents' counterattacks.
"Jersie makes life difficult for attackers in one-on-one situations," Odell said. "She is a good defender and has the athleticism to recover when the game opens up."
Jasmine Hicks is a highly technical attacking midfielder who is especially dangerous around the edge of the penalty area. Hicks possesses the control and creativity to manipulate the ball in different directions, beat defenders and provide a different dimension to the Spartans' attack.
"Jasmine is a very technical player who is excellent with the ball at her feet," Odell said. "She can manipulate the ball, beat a defender and really comes alive around the box in attacking moments."
The freshman class joins a new-look Spartan roster united by a belief in the program's direction under Odell.
"What is infectious about this group is that everyone wants to be part of it for the right reasons," Odell said. "They believe in the culture and the style of play we are building. When you have a full team of individuals bought in towards the same goal, it makes this challenge incredibly exciting."
USC Upstate opens the 2026 season Sunday, Aug. 16, when the Spartans travel to Charleston to face the College of Charleston. Upstate makes its home debut Thursday, Aug. 20, against Davidson.
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The group includes nine true freshmen and transfer Jasmyn Mitchner, who maintains freshman eligibility after enrolling early and spending the spring semester at UCF.
"I am really pleased with our recruiting class," head coach Sam Odell said. "Patrick and I have put a lot of time and effort into building relationships and finding the right players for the championship culture we are creating."
Kayla Cervantes adds a different dimension to the Spartans' goal. The left-footed goalkeeper has good athleticism and an ability to contribute in possession. Cervantes can find passes, help conduct possession and operate as an additional field player when Upstate builds from the back.
"Kayla is a really athletic goalkeeper who is also very good with the ball at her feet," Odell said. "She can find a pass, help us control possession and give us another field player when we need it."
Summer Jacobs is an extremely versatile player who can contribute in the midfield or along the back line, with Odell primarily envisioning her as a defender. Jacobs is comfortable with both feet, can break defensive lines with her passing and brings strong physical traits to the position.
"Summer gives us a lot of flexibility," Odell said. "She is good on the ball, can play with both feet and has the passing ability to move us through pressure."
Gracie Black arrives as an athletic center back with experience competing for one of the country's top club programs. Black is an excellent one-on-one defender whose grit, intelligence and athleticism allow her to navigate difficult situations. She also gives the Spartans another defender who is comfortable with the ball.
"Gracie is a very athletic defender who competes in every moment," Odell said. "She reads the game well, is excellent one-on-one and has the ability to play the way we want to play from the back."
Nevaeh Roarke will provide creativity and unpredictability across Upstate's front three. Rourke is dangerous in one-on-one situations and plays with the freedom to attempt something different each time she receives the ball.
"I love Nevaeh's expression with the ball," Odell said. "She is creative, willing to take players on and has the confidence to try something different. That is an exciting quality for an attacking player."
Jasmyn Mitchner joins the Spartans after enrolling early and spending the spring semester at UCF. The freshman attacker brings experience from another institution, along with creativity and strong one-on-one ability. Odell expects Mitchner to help generate opportunities within Upstate's attack.
"Jasmyn is an exciting attacking player," Odell said. "She is very creative, good one-on-one and has the ability to add another level of chance creation to our attacking unit."
Grace Alvarez gives the Spartans another versatile attacking option capable of contributing anywhere across the front three. Her unique skill set allows her to both create chances for teammates and finish opportunities herself.
"Grace can play in several different attacking positions," Odell said. "She has the ability to score goals, create chances and give us something different throughout the front line."
Deyla McCoy can play centrally as a forward or move to either wing, although the Spartans primarily envision her as a nine. McCoy has a strong eye for goal and makes creative movements around the penalty area to place herself in dangerous scoring positions.
"Deyla is someone who wants to get on the end of chances," Odell said. "She moves really well in and around the box and has the instincts to put herself in positions to score."
Jorie Szamecki adds speed and athleticism on the wing. She looks to attack defenders in one-on-one situations and can use her movement to threaten space behind the opposition's back line.
"Jorie has some really exciting athletic traits," Odell said. "She is willing to take on defenders and can make impactful runs in behind the defense."
Jersie Szamecki, Jorie's twin sister, brings similar athletic qualities to the defensive side of the field. She is a strong one-on-one defender with the recovery speed to respond to opponents' counterattacks.
"Jersie makes life difficult for attackers in one-on-one situations," Odell said. "She is a good defender and has the athleticism to recover when the game opens up."
Jasmine Hicks is a highly technical attacking midfielder who is especially dangerous around the edge of the penalty area. Hicks possesses the control and creativity to manipulate the ball in different directions, beat defenders and provide a different dimension to the Spartans' attack.
"Jasmine is a very technical player who is excellent with the ball at her feet," Odell said. "She can manipulate the ball, beat a defender and really comes alive around the box in attacking moments."
The freshman class joins a new-look Spartan roster united by a belief in the program's direction under Odell.
"What is infectious about this group is that everyone wants to be part of it for the right reasons," Odell said. "They believe in the culture and the style of play we are building. When you have a full team of individuals bought in towards the same goal, it makes this challenge incredibly exciting."
USC Upstate opens the 2026 season Sunday, Aug. 16, when the Spartans travel to Charleston to face the College of Charleston. Upstate makes its home debut Thursday, Aug. 20, against Davidson.
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