A sibling's inspiration leads commit to UNC

A sibling's inspiration leads commit to UNC
March 23, 2012

Jessica Holmes recently made a college commitment for two: for herself, of course, and for her brother, Jimmy.


Little brother has always been the fuel behind Jessica’s drive. When she flies down the field, as only she can, she never forgets that Jimmy cannot – he’s confined to a wheelchair.



When she feels minor aches and pains, she’s reminded of Jimmy’s list of disabilities.



“He’s the real secret to my drive,” Jessica said. “I play for both of us.”

And so Jessica proudly gave her 2013 verbal to North Carolina, no doubt making it a satisfying day for the Holmes team.

An Albertson SC striker, Jessica is known for her speed up front which also allows her to track back on defense with the best of them.



She was invited to the U.S. National Training Center last year as her ECNL reputation continues to grow. 

North Carolina’s rep speaks for itself. And it was the allure of the Tar Heel blue that swayed her in the end. Even as she weighed other options like Miami and Pittsburgh – programs that may have rendered more playing time earlier in her career.



“I have always dreamed of being a Tar Heel, but you can never really be fully prepared for what it means to put on that light blue uniform until you visit,” she said. “The campus is beautiful and the educational opportunities are amazing, and then there's the soccer program. It's no accident that UNC is the best. I came home feeling like I have a lot of work to do!”

There’s always much to do, when you’re working for two.

We’ve got a big group of girls’ in today’s update:

Betsy Middleton (CASL) has verbally committed to Miami (FL) for the 2013 season. This exciting prospect was invited to the U.S. Soccer Training Center in Greensboro last year.

Kaleigh Kurtz (CESA), a multiple time All ECNL Event Teamer, has verbally committed to Richmond for the 2013 season.

Sarah Robinson (Mtn. View Los Altos SC) has verbally committed to Stanford for the 2014 season. Robinson has enjoyed stints in the U17, U14 and U15 U.S. National Team programs.

Ashton Miller (Michigan Hawks) has verbally committed to Duke for 2014. Miller was a U14 National ID camp attendee.



Corey Levels (Eclipse Select) has verbally committed SIU-Edwardsville for the 2013 season.


Kaitlin Moore (Blast FC) has verbally committed to Central Michigan for the 2013 season.

Alex Schlobohm (PDA) has verbally committed to Boston University for the 2013 season.

Mimi Borkan has verbally committed to New Hampshire for the 2013 season.

Marchelle Davis (Dallas Texans) has verbally committed to Texas for the 2013 season.

Miranda Haraughty (NY Rush Patriots) has verbally committed to St. John’s for the 2013 season.

Mia Schmolze (Lonestar SC) has verbally committed to Rice for the 2013 season.

Tyane Ramos (Lonestar SC) has verbally committed to UT San Antonio for the 2013 season.

Sarah Blakely (South Carolina United FC) has verbally committed to College of Charleston for the 2013 season.

Michael Naudin (D’Feeters) has verbally committed to Central Arkansas for the 2013 season.

Gracyn Bryant (Freestate United) has verbally committed to East Carolina for the 2013 season.

Paige Brown (St. Louis Scott Gallagher) has verbally committed to Louisville for the 2013 season.


Alexandria Stradford (CASL) has committed to UNC Asheville for the 2012 season.


Max Foster (Lake Norman Soccer Club) has verbally committed to UNC Greensboro for the 2014 season.


Kasey Cooke (Pitt Greenville SA Stars) has verbally committed to Western Carolina for the 2013 season.

Sophie Cobb (South Carolina United) has signed to Presbyterian for the 2012 season. 


Elaine Byerley (FC Delco) has verbally committed to Temple for the 2013 season.

McKenna Tollack (San Diego Surf) has verbally committed to San Diego for the 2013 season.

Ellie Taylor (Richmond Strikers) has verbally committed to Coastal Carolina for the 2013 season.

Jessica Weaver (FC United Soccer Club) has verbally committed to DePaul for the 2013 season.

Samantha Bersett (St. Louis Scott Gallagher) has signed to NJIT for the 2012 season.

 Katie Gernsbacher (Lonestar SC) has verbally committed to Texas for the 2013 season.

Madison Hogan (South Jersey Elite Barons SA) has verbally committed to Old Dominion for the 2013 season.

Nikki Adams (Penn Fusion) has verbally committed to Delaware for the 2013 season.  


Jenny Scro (East Meadow United) has verbally committed to Massachusetts for the 2013 season.  

Alexandria Vigil (Dallas Texans) has verbally committed to Lamar for the 2013 season.

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