University of St. Thomas Athletics
Softball publicizes 2026 National Signing Day Class
11/12/2025 3:28:00 PM | Softball
Coach Trotter has signed a deep class of five student athletes from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Illinois
ST. PAUL, Minn. – St. Thomas softball head coach Jen Trotter has announced the 2026 National Signing Day Class.
Reese Barfknecht – Outfielder/Catcher – 5-8 – Menomonie, Wis. - Homeschooled
Isabelle "Bella" Dowdall – Infielder – 5-8 – Forest Lake, Minn. – Forest Lake
Emersyn Exner – Utility – 5-9 – Papillion, Neb. – Papillion La Vista South
Avery Muellner – Pitcher – 5-6 – Forest Lake, Minn. – Forest Lake
Kieley Tomas – Outfielder – 5-5 – Wauconda, Ill. – Mundelein
Reese Barfknecht (OF/C, 5-8, Menomonie, Wis., Homeschooled)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Reese is going to be fun to watch as she develops through our program. She is strong, athletic, and has limitless potential."
High School
Two time varsity letter winner for softball and basketball. Named to the All-Big Rivers Conference first team and was an honorable mention for All-District team. A member of a regional champion softball team her junior year. She was named WBCA Academic All-State last year.
Personal
Daughter of Chad and Lisa Barfknecht and has four siblings, Bree, Zeke, Cole, and Grace. Her father, Chad, played basketball at Winona State from 2001-2005. Reese plans to major in business next year at St. Thomas.
Isabelle Dowdall (INF, 5-8, Forest Lake, Minn. – Forest Lake HS)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Bella is a versatile defensive athlete that swings an efficient bat. We have witnessed her get big hits in big situations through our recruiting process. She is an awesome human and an energy that we are all about. Great player, great teammate, great human = no brainer."
High School
Bella was named to the All-State Tournament Team in last year's state tournament. She has earned an academic letter each of her three school years at Forest Lake.
Personal
Daughter of Sarah and Mike Dowdall, and has three siblings, Addy, Ellie, and Harrison. She is currently undecided on a major at St. Thomas.
Emersyn Exner (UT, 5-9, Papillion, Neb. – Papillion La Vista South)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Emersyn is an absolute athlete. She is versatile with a hunder to learn and work hard. We are fired up about her upside!"
High School
Emersyn is a two-time All-State selection, first on the second team in 2022 and then on the first team in 2024. She is a two-time All-Metro Conference honoree. She has been named Team Player of the Year, Team Offensive MVP, and Team Defensive MVP. She is the school record holder with a .454 career batting average. Exner has also landed herself on an Academic All-State team and two Academic All-Metro teams. She is a member of the National Honors Society and is a fixture on the school honor roll.
Personal
Daughter of Shawn and Gayle Exner and has one sibling, Kamryn. She plans to major in nursing.
Avery Muellner (P, 5-6, Forest Lake, Minn. – Forest Lake HS)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Getting a yes from Avery made our staff fist pump! We are very excited to add this highly sought after Minnesota talent. Avery has some very big wins in her young career already. We look forward to what she can provide on our pitching staff."
High School
Avery has been named All-Suburban East Conference four times, All-Section five times, and All-State three times. She was named the 2025 Pioneer Press Player of the Year. Muellner has also made three All-Metro teams and was named a Star Tribune All-Minnesota Player. She was a member of the 2022 4A State Champion team at Forest Lake. She has also received a pair of academic letters.
Personal
Daughter of Amy and Randy Muellner and has two siblings, Grace and Maddie. Her sister, Maddie, currently plays volleyball at Augustana. Avery is currently undecided on her major.
Kieley Tomas (OF, 5-5, Wauconda, Ill. – Mundelein HS)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Kieley is an incredible get for our program. She is fast, has a strong arm, and provides a much0needed bat on the left side. We look for her to help replace some graduating outfield talent."
High School
Kieley is a three-time All-North Suburban Conference selection and a three-time All-State selection. She has made the high honor roll all three years of high school and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Personal
Daughter of Marlee and Christopher Tomas, and has one sibling, Katelyn. Kieley plans on majoring in accounting at St. Thomas.
Reese Barfknecht – Outfielder/Catcher – 5-8 – Menomonie, Wis. - Homeschooled
Isabelle "Bella" Dowdall – Infielder – 5-8 – Forest Lake, Minn. – Forest Lake
Emersyn Exner – Utility – 5-9 – Papillion, Neb. – Papillion La Vista South
Avery Muellner – Pitcher – 5-6 – Forest Lake, Minn. – Forest Lake
Kieley Tomas – Outfielder – 5-5 – Wauconda, Ill. – Mundelein
Reese Barfknecht (OF/C, 5-8, Menomonie, Wis., Homeschooled)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Reese is going to be fun to watch as she develops through our program. She is strong, athletic, and has limitless potential."
High School
Two time varsity letter winner for softball and basketball. Named to the All-Big Rivers Conference first team and was an honorable mention for All-District team. A member of a regional champion softball team her junior year. She was named WBCA Academic All-State last year.
Personal
Daughter of Chad and Lisa Barfknecht and has four siblings, Bree, Zeke, Cole, and Grace. Her father, Chad, played basketball at Winona State from 2001-2005. Reese plans to major in business next year at St. Thomas.
Isabelle Dowdall (INF, 5-8, Forest Lake, Minn. – Forest Lake HS)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Bella is a versatile defensive athlete that swings an efficient bat. We have witnessed her get big hits in big situations through our recruiting process. She is an awesome human and an energy that we are all about. Great player, great teammate, great human = no brainer."
High School
Bella was named to the All-State Tournament Team in last year's state tournament. She has earned an academic letter each of her three school years at Forest Lake.
Personal
Daughter of Sarah and Mike Dowdall, and has three siblings, Addy, Ellie, and Harrison. She is currently undecided on a major at St. Thomas.
Emersyn Exner (UT, 5-9, Papillion, Neb. – Papillion La Vista South)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Emersyn is an absolute athlete. She is versatile with a hunder to learn and work hard. We are fired up about her upside!"
High School
Emersyn is a two-time All-State selection, first on the second team in 2022 and then on the first team in 2024. She is a two-time All-Metro Conference honoree. She has been named Team Player of the Year, Team Offensive MVP, and Team Defensive MVP. She is the school record holder with a .454 career batting average. Exner has also landed herself on an Academic All-State team and two Academic All-Metro teams. She is a member of the National Honors Society and is a fixture on the school honor roll.
Personal
Daughter of Shawn and Gayle Exner and has one sibling, Kamryn. She plans to major in nursing.
Avery Muellner (P, 5-6, Forest Lake, Minn. – Forest Lake HS)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Getting a yes from Avery made our staff fist pump! We are very excited to add this highly sought after Minnesota talent. Avery has some very big wins in her young career already. We look forward to what she can provide on our pitching staff."
High School
Avery has been named All-Suburban East Conference four times, All-Section five times, and All-State three times. She was named the 2025 Pioneer Press Player of the Year. Muellner has also made three All-Metro teams and was named a Star Tribune All-Minnesota Player. She was a member of the 2022 4A State Champion team at Forest Lake. She has also received a pair of academic letters.
Personal
Daughter of Amy and Randy Muellner and has two siblings, Grace and Maddie. Her sister, Maddie, currently plays volleyball at Augustana. Avery is currently undecided on her major.
Kieley Tomas (OF, 5-5, Wauconda, Ill. – Mundelein HS)
Quoting Coach Trotter
"Kieley is an incredible get for our program. She is fast, has a strong arm, and provides a much0needed bat on the left side. We look for her to help replace some graduating outfield talent."
High School
Kieley is a three-time All-North Suburban Conference selection and a three-time All-State selection. She has made the high honor roll all three years of high school and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Personal
Daughter of Marlee and Christopher Tomas, and has one sibling, Katelyn. Kieley plans on majoring in accounting at St. Thomas.
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