Bears Welcome Four New Women’s Soccer Signees
11/13/2021 8:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Signees are Isabella Griffey, Lena Dykes, Sydney Farr, and Whitney Lorio
MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Soccer Head Coach Tony Economopoulos and staff announced the signing of Isabella Griffey, Lena Dykes, Sydney Farr, and Whitney Lorio as the members of the 2021-22 recruiting class.
Isabella Griffey
Hometown: Noblesville, Ind.
Previous School: Noblesville High School
Position: Attacker
Griffey is a three-year varsity member at Noblesville HS under coach Mike Brady, where she has been a part of teams that won back-to-back IHSAA 3A State Championships in 2019-20 and 2020-2021. Noblesville and Griffey were also Hoosier Crossroads Conference champions three years in a row while also holding a 55-game winning streak, which is the longest in the school's history. Griffey was also named to the Academic All-State team in 2020 and 2021, while being named Varsity Captain and being the third leading scorer on the squad with eight goals.
On the Club side, Griffey has played five years for the FC Pride ECNL under the direction of coach Jamie Gilbert. Griffey has been a ENCL Ohio Valley Conference Champion in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Griffey also made it to the ENCL Final Four in 2019.
In the classroom, Griffey excelled as she was on the A-B Honor Roll. As a Bear, Griffey plans to study Psychology with a possible focus in sports psychology. A fun fact about Griffey is that she is a first-degree black belt in Taw Kwon Do.
Lena Dykes
Hometown: Panama City Beach, Fla.
Previous School: JR Arnold High School
Position: Defender
Dykes is a four-year varsity member at JR Arnold High School under coach Larry Cecchini, where she has been previously named to the All-Bay County Team. Dykes and JR Arnold were also district champions in 2020-21 while being the Florida state runner up in the same year. While not only being just the Varsity soccer captain, Dykes is also the Varsity tennis captain.
On the Club side, Dykes played eight years for the Concorde Fire South under the direction of coach Eric Steinhauser. They qualified for the National League National Championships in 2019 and 2020. They were state champions in 2019 and 2020 as well as Southern Regional champions in 2020.
Dykes plans to excel at Mercer University both on and off the field like she did in high school. Dykes was an All A Honors, all four years, AP, and Dual Enrolled student. Dykes is in the top 1% of her class with a 3/322 class rank. As a Bear, Dykes plans to major in Biomedical Engineering.
Sydney Farr
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Ga.
Previous School: Brookwood High School
Position: Forward
Farr is a three-year varsity member at Brookwood High School under coach Michael Tolmich where she has been previously recognized on the All-Region First Team and was Forward of the Year her 2020-2021 season. Farr and her team were Regional Champions in 2020-2021, Battle of Five Forks Champions in 2020-2021, and Southern Coast Cup Champions 2019-2020. On the club side, Farr played three years for GSA under the direction of coach Campbell Chapman where they won the ECNL Championship in 2019.
Farr made All-A Honor Roll in her freshman and sophomore year and was named Scholar Athlete her freshman, sophomore, and junior year. Farr was also a member of the Beta Club and plans to continue to excel academically in a similar fashion at Mercer. As a Bear, Farr plans to major in environmental engineering.
Whitney Lorio
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Previous School: Christ the King
Position: Goalie
Lorio is a two-year varsity member at Christ the King under coach Matthew Franey, as she was a part of the team that won its Conference in 2021. Within the same year, Lorio was also named to the All-Conference and All-Region teams. On the club side, Lorio played one year for Team Judah under the direction of coach Adam Tipper. Off the field, Lorio also plays basketball and enjoys giving back to her community through acts of service.
Lorio plans to continue her academic success at Mercer. As a Bear, Lorio's major is currently undecided.
WHAT COACH ECONOMOPOULOS HAS TO SAY
"This 2022 class fulfills our team's needs. They all have a high soccer IQ and will continue to add depth to our roster. They come from very respectful clubs and have played at very high levels while earning even higher accolades. They all are also very great individuals and students off the field. We are excited to witness these signees wearing the Orange and Black next fall"
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media
at @MercerWSoccer (Twitter), /MercerWSoccer (Facebook) and @MercerWSoccer (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com
Isabella Griffey
Hometown: Noblesville, Ind.
Previous School: Noblesville High School
Position: Attacker
Griffey is a three-year varsity member at Noblesville HS under coach Mike Brady, where she has been a part of teams that won back-to-back IHSAA 3A State Championships in 2019-20 and 2020-2021. Noblesville and Griffey were also Hoosier Crossroads Conference champions three years in a row while also holding a 55-game winning streak, which is the longest in the school's history. Griffey was also named to the Academic All-State team in 2020 and 2021, while being named Varsity Captain and being the third leading scorer on the squad with eight goals.
On the Club side, Griffey has played five years for the FC Pride ECNL under the direction of coach Jamie Gilbert. Griffey has been a ENCL Ohio Valley Conference Champion in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Griffey also made it to the ENCL Final Four in 2019.
In the classroom, Griffey excelled as she was on the A-B Honor Roll. As a Bear, Griffey plans to study Psychology with a possible focus in sports psychology. A fun fact about Griffey is that she is a first-degree black belt in Taw Kwon Do.
Lena Dykes
Hometown: Panama City Beach, Fla.
Previous School: JR Arnold High School
Position: Defender
Dykes is a four-year varsity member at JR Arnold High School under coach Larry Cecchini, where she has been previously named to the All-Bay County Team. Dykes and JR Arnold were also district champions in 2020-21 while being the Florida state runner up in the same year. While not only being just the Varsity soccer captain, Dykes is also the Varsity tennis captain.
On the Club side, Dykes played eight years for the Concorde Fire South under the direction of coach Eric Steinhauser. They qualified for the National League National Championships in 2019 and 2020. They were state champions in 2019 and 2020 as well as Southern Regional champions in 2020.
Dykes plans to excel at Mercer University both on and off the field like she did in high school. Dykes was an All A Honors, all four years, AP, and Dual Enrolled student. Dykes is in the top 1% of her class with a 3/322 class rank. As a Bear, Dykes plans to major in Biomedical Engineering.
Sydney Farr
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Ga.
Previous School: Brookwood High School
Position: Forward
Farr is a three-year varsity member at Brookwood High School under coach Michael Tolmich where she has been previously recognized on the All-Region First Team and was Forward of the Year her 2020-2021 season. Farr and her team were Regional Champions in 2020-2021, Battle of Five Forks Champions in 2020-2021, and Southern Coast Cup Champions 2019-2020. On the club side, Farr played three years for GSA under the direction of coach Campbell Chapman where they won the ECNL Championship in 2019.
Farr made All-A Honor Roll in her freshman and sophomore year and was named Scholar Athlete her freshman, sophomore, and junior year. Farr was also a member of the Beta Club and plans to continue to excel academically in a similar fashion at Mercer. As a Bear, Farr plans to major in environmental engineering.
Whitney Lorio
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Previous School: Christ the King
Position: Goalie
Lorio is a two-year varsity member at Christ the King under coach Matthew Franey, as she was a part of the team that won its Conference in 2021. Within the same year, Lorio was also named to the All-Conference and All-Region teams. On the club side, Lorio played one year for Team Judah under the direction of coach Adam Tipper. Off the field, Lorio also plays basketball and enjoys giving back to her community through acts of service.
Lorio plans to continue her academic success at Mercer. As a Bear, Lorio's major is currently undecided.
WHAT COACH ECONOMOPOULOS HAS TO SAY
"This 2022 class fulfills our team's needs. They all have a high soccer IQ and will continue to add depth to our roster. They come from very respectful clubs and have played at very high levels while earning even higher accolades. They all are also very great individuals and students off the field. We are excited to witness these signees wearing the Orange and Black next fall"
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media
at @MercerWSoccer (Twitter), /MercerWSoccer (Facebook) and @MercerWSoccer (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com
Men’s Basketball Preview | Head Coach Ryan Ridder
Monday, October 27
Women’s Basketball Preview | Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard
Monday, October 27
Mercer Football Press Conference (Week 9 vs Furman)
Monday, October 27
Mercer 62 | VMI 0 Post Game Press Conference 10.25.25
Sunday, October 26
