WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Central Missouri Jennies soccer head coach Lewis Theobald announced the singing of five high school standouts during the 2023-24 signing period on Monday, Nov. 27
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Izzy Joyce, a forward from Lenexa, Kan., Ava Lunders, a midfielder from St. Charles, Mo., Patsy O'Brien, a forward from Prairie Village, Kan., Kate Ricker, a midfielder from Shawnee, Kan., and Mackenzie Smith, a defender from Kansas City, Mo., will all play soccer and continue their education at Central Missouri beginning in the fall of 2024.

Izzy Joyce | F | 5-6
Lenexa, Kan. (Shawnee Mission West HS)
High School: Four-year letterwinner and starter at Shawnee Mission West High School…First Team All-State in 2021 and 2022…Second Team All-State in 2023…First Team All-Sunflower League 2021 and a Second Team All-Sunflower honoree in 2022 and 2023…Olathe Northwest Varsity Invitational All-Tournament Team in 2020-2021…Was also a four-year starter in basketball…All-State Honorable Mention in basketball three-times…Club: Played club soccer for KC Fusion…Personal: Daughter of Laurel Joyce…Four-year honor roll selection.

Theobald on Joyce: "Comes to us with a huge reputation of being one of the best players out of the region this year. She has speed, technical abilities, and a winner's mentality. She is smooth on the ball and an elite attacking player."

Ava Lunders | MF | 5-3
St. Charles, Mo. (Francis Howell Central HS)
High School: Four-year letterwinner and starter at Francis Howell Central High School…Two-time All-State and three-time All-Region, All-Conference and All-Academic honoree…Top goal scorer for her team…Club: Played club soccer for AFA Fillies…Personal: Daughter of Edward and Michelle Lunders…Her dad, Edward, and brother, Jackson, played baseball for Central Missouri.

Theobald on Lunders: "So smooth, dynamic, and intelligent in the midfield. Ava is the complete package in terms of athleticism, technical ability, and winners' mentality. She scores goals coming out of the midfield and covers ground in transition. She is unselfish and another elite level player to add to our roster."

Patsy O'Brien | F | 5-7
Prairie Village, Kan. (St. James Academy)
High School: Plays for St. James Academy…Club: Played club soccer for KC Athletics…ECNL All-Region honoree…Her club team won the state tournament three times…Personal: Daughter of David and Kim O'Brien…Plans to major in marketing at UCM.

Theobald on O'Brien: "One of the premier players in the region that has great pace and ability to beat players 1v1. She is lethal in the final third creating for others or scoring goals. A great work ethic who is committed to being the best player possible."

Kate Ricker | MF | 5-6
Shawnee, Kan. (Mill Valley HS)
High School: All-State First Team selection for Mill Valley High School…Helped her team of a Class 6A State Championship…Club: Played club soccer for KC Fusion…Personal: Daughter of James and Deborah Ricker…Her sister, Molly Ricker, currently plays for the Jennies…Plans to major in marketing at UCM.

Theobald on Ricker: "A ball winning central midfield player that has a strong physical presence on the pitch. She is smart in possession and intelligent in her ability to start attacks. An outgoing personality that is a natural leader and great competitor."

Mackenzie Smith | D | 5-9
Kansas City, Mo. (Liberty High School)
High School: Three-year letterwinner at Liberty High School…Three-time All-Conference honoree…Two-time All-District selection…Also played basketball for two years…Club: Played club soccer for KC Athletics 06 ECNL-RL…Helped her team to state championships three times and the 2023 ECRL National Selection Game…Personal: Plans to major in nursing at UCM. 

Theobald on Smith: "A center back that brings composure on the ball and toughness out of possession. She is a leader for both her club team and high school team. Mackenzie is always a threat on set pieces and brings a presence that is needed to play in the backline at high level."