Princeton University Athletics
Courtney Harrison, Julia Dumais, Brielle Wright and Abby Hornberger will join the Princeton softball program from the Class of 2026.
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Four to Join Ivy Champion Softball Team from Class of '26
July 18, 2022 | Softball
A coast-to-coast class of four will join the Princeton softball program from the incoming class this fall, with Julia Dumais, Courtney Harrison, Abby Hornberger and Brielle Wright as part of a Tiger team looking to defend its 2022 Ivy League championship.
Here is a look at the incoming class:
Julia Dumais • C/3B • B/T: L/R • 5-9 • Cambria, N.Y. • Newfane HS
Before Princeton: Ranked the No. 30 player in the country, and No. 12 catcher, for the Class of 2022 by Extra Inning Softball in 2020 and was ranked the No. 35 player in the country for the Class of 2022 by Extra Inning Softball in 2021 ... recognized on the Watchlist for Premier Girls Fastpitch Futures All-American game 2021 & 2022 ... Five-year varsity starter at Newfane ... Buffalo News All-WNY first-team 2022 ... Greater Niagara Newspapers all-area 2022 and honorable mention 2021 ... All-WNY Scholar-Athlete 2022 ... Scholar-Athlete recognition annually frorm 2018-22 ... Niagara-Orleans all-league first-team 2019 & 2022, second-team 2021 and honorable mention 2018 ... played in the All-WNY Senior All-Star Softball game in 2022 ... played club softball with NJ Intensity.
Why Princeton?: "It had always been a dream of mine to attend an Ivy League school and be able to play Division l softball. I knew from a young age that I wanted to go to an academically competitive school. I chose to commit to Princeton because it checked all of my boxes. Princeton is the best of both worlds, academically and athletically. During the recruiting process, the coaches and players really drew me in and showed me how wonderful the culture and environment of Princeton is. When I first stepped on campus, I instantly fell in love with it. It felt like home."
Courtney Harrison • Utility • B/T: R/R • 5-5 • Lorton, Va. • South County HS
Before Princeton: Named first-team all-district by the district's coaches in 2021 and 2022 ... earned the regional coaches' selection for first-team all-region in 2022 and second-team all-region in 2021 ... helped South County High School to a 6A state title in 2019 and a 6A state runner-up finish in 2021 ... earned a South County Athletic Boosters scholarship ... held Good Standing in varsity softball designation from the South County athletic director from 2018-22 ... earned AP Scholar with Distinction honors in 2021, All-A honor roll annually from 2018-22, and A-B honor roll annually from 2018-21 ... Scholar-Athlete honors annually from 2018-22 from the South County athletic director.
Why Princeton?: "Princeton is such a tight-knit community that shares the same values as me: education, working hard, sports, giving back to the community, research, etc., it's all great! The coaching staff took their time to get to know me as a player and a person, and that's when I realized that Princeton Softball is not just a team, it's a family. They also showed me the plentiful resources here on campus so that I would have the support I need to thrive academically and socially while away from home. Oh, and the town has THE BEST food and is so aesthetically pleasing."
Abby Hornberger • 2B/SS • B/T: R/R • 5-9 • Troy, Mich. • Regina HS
Before Princeton: Extra Inning Elite 100 in the Class of 2022 and the Extra Inning National High School Player of the Week on May 3, 2022 … four-year varsity starter and served as a team captain during her career at Regina High School … earned all-state honors in 2022 and was a finalist for Michigan State Player of the Year ... 2022 Catholic High School League Softball Player of the Year ... MLive All-Metro Detroit 2022 ... 2022 Academic All-State honoree ... graduated top 10 for most home runs in the state of Michigan for a season, with 18 ... set single season school records for both home runs and RBI ... twice earned all-region honors and was a three-time all-district and All-Catholic League honoree ... helped Regina to a 2019 state championship ... competed with Finesse Fastpitch in club play and was a 2021 USA Softball National Champion ... was Regina's valedictorian and senior class president.
Why Princeton?: "Since the eighth grade, my goal was to become a student-athlete in the Ivy League and Princeton is the best of the best. Not only is it the finest undergraduate university in the world, but also the winningest softball program in the Ivy League. When I was fortunate enough to speak with Coach Van Ackeren and her staff, I learned how important relationships and family are to the program, and that was exactly what I was looking for. I am confident that the coaching staff will challenge and support me to become the best student-athlete that I can be. I can't wait to become part of the Princeton family."
Brielle Wright • P/1B • B/T: L/L • 5-8 • Rocklin, Calif. • Rocklin HS
Before Princeton: Earned All-Sierra Foothill League, MaxPreps All-Sac Joaquin Section, and Sacramento Bee All-Metro Team honors in 2021 and 2022 ... included on Extra Inning Softball's list of top-100 players and top-40 pitchers in the Class of 2022 ... four-year varsity player and Scholar-Athlete at Rocklin High School ... founder and president of school's Athletic Women of Excellence Club and a board member with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Why Princeton?: "I chose Princeton because it is the perfect combination of academics and athletics. Not only are you competing at the highest level, but also receiving a world class education. I was also enticed by the wonderful coaching staff and the climate they have created on the softball field."
Here is a look at the incoming class:
Julia Dumais • C/3B • B/T: L/R • 5-9 • Cambria, N.Y. • Newfane HS
Before Princeton: Ranked the No. 30 player in the country, and No. 12 catcher, for the Class of 2022 by Extra Inning Softball in 2020 and was ranked the No. 35 player in the country for the Class of 2022 by Extra Inning Softball in 2021 ... recognized on the Watchlist for Premier Girls Fastpitch Futures All-American game 2021 & 2022 ... Five-year varsity starter at Newfane ... Buffalo News All-WNY first-team 2022 ... Greater Niagara Newspapers all-area 2022 and honorable mention 2021 ... All-WNY Scholar-Athlete 2022 ... Scholar-Athlete recognition annually frorm 2018-22 ... Niagara-Orleans all-league first-team 2019 & 2022, second-team 2021 and honorable mention 2018 ... played in the All-WNY Senior All-Star Softball game in 2022 ... played club softball with NJ Intensity.
Why Princeton?: "It had always been a dream of mine to attend an Ivy League school and be able to play Division l softball. I knew from a young age that I wanted to go to an academically competitive school. I chose to commit to Princeton because it checked all of my boxes. Princeton is the best of both worlds, academically and athletically. During the recruiting process, the coaches and players really drew me in and showed me how wonderful the culture and environment of Princeton is. When I first stepped on campus, I instantly fell in love with it. It felt like home."
Courtney Harrison • Utility • B/T: R/R • 5-5 • Lorton, Va. • South County HS
Before Princeton: Named first-team all-district by the district's coaches in 2021 and 2022 ... earned the regional coaches' selection for first-team all-region in 2022 and second-team all-region in 2021 ... helped South County High School to a 6A state title in 2019 and a 6A state runner-up finish in 2021 ... earned a South County Athletic Boosters scholarship ... held Good Standing in varsity softball designation from the South County athletic director from 2018-22 ... earned AP Scholar with Distinction honors in 2021, All-A honor roll annually from 2018-22, and A-B honor roll annually from 2018-21 ... Scholar-Athlete honors annually from 2018-22 from the South County athletic director.
Why Princeton?: "Princeton is such a tight-knit community that shares the same values as me: education, working hard, sports, giving back to the community, research, etc., it's all great! The coaching staff took their time to get to know me as a player and a person, and that's when I realized that Princeton Softball is not just a team, it's a family. They also showed me the plentiful resources here on campus so that I would have the support I need to thrive academically and socially while away from home. Oh, and the town has THE BEST food and is so aesthetically pleasing."
Abby Hornberger • 2B/SS • B/T: R/R • 5-9 • Troy, Mich. • Regina HS
Before Princeton: Extra Inning Elite 100 in the Class of 2022 and the Extra Inning National High School Player of the Week on May 3, 2022 … four-year varsity starter and served as a team captain during her career at Regina High School … earned all-state honors in 2022 and was a finalist for Michigan State Player of the Year ... 2022 Catholic High School League Softball Player of the Year ... MLive All-Metro Detroit 2022 ... 2022 Academic All-State honoree ... graduated top 10 for most home runs in the state of Michigan for a season, with 18 ... set single season school records for both home runs and RBI ... twice earned all-region honors and was a three-time all-district and All-Catholic League honoree ... helped Regina to a 2019 state championship ... competed with Finesse Fastpitch in club play and was a 2021 USA Softball National Champion ... was Regina's valedictorian and senior class president.
Why Princeton?: "Since the eighth grade, my goal was to become a student-athlete in the Ivy League and Princeton is the best of the best. Not only is it the finest undergraduate university in the world, but also the winningest softball program in the Ivy League. When I was fortunate enough to speak with Coach Van Ackeren and her staff, I learned how important relationships and family are to the program, and that was exactly what I was looking for. I am confident that the coaching staff will challenge and support me to become the best student-athlete that I can be. I can't wait to become part of the Princeton family."
Brielle Wright • P/1B • B/T: L/L • 5-8 • Rocklin, Calif. • Rocklin HS
Before Princeton: Earned All-Sierra Foothill League, MaxPreps All-Sac Joaquin Section, and Sacramento Bee All-Metro Team honors in 2021 and 2022 ... included on Extra Inning Softball's list of top-100 players and top-40 pitchers in the Class of 2022 ... four-year varsity player and Scholar-Athlete at Rocklin High School ... founder and president of school's Athletic Women of Excellence Club and a board member with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Why Princeton?: "I chose Princeton because it is the perfect combination of academics and athletics. Not only are you competing at the highest level, but also receiving a world class education. I was also enticed by the wonderful coaching staff and the climate they have created on the softball field."
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