PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon women's soccer team has added six new players to its roster in the class of 2016. GCU was able to sign players from the states of California, Washington and locally here in Arizona.

"I believe the class of 2016 is a very strong and deep class that will cover some needs we need on the team," coach Paul Barron said. "They all come from very good clubs that play at a high level so they will be ready for the Division I challenge's."

Claire Novotny (Sage Hill School, M)

Claire Novotny comes to GCU from Irvine, Calif. after competing for the Slammers ECNL U18. Novotny racked up the awards in 2014 and 2015 as she was a First Team All-State honoree in 2014 in Division V, a First Team All-Academic League and was named MVP at Sage Hill high school. Not only has Novotny found success on the field but she currently holds a 3.6 grade point average.

Coach Barron: "Claire is a fantastic kid that will fit right into the GCU culture. She plays on one of the best teams (Slammers) in the nation and is doing very well for them."

Happy #NationalSigningDay & we are pleased to announce of Class of 2016! Welcome Claire Novotny! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/75JNRReCFU
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 4, 2016

Anyssa De Vera (Camas High School, F)

Anyssa De Vera's game was recognized across the country as she was named to the High School All-American watch list. De Vera was a First Team All-State selection in Washington as well as a First Team All-League selection. De Vera also holds a 3.7 GPA in the classroom and played club soccer for Crossfire United ECNL U18.

Coach Barron: "Anyssa is one of those players that scores goals in big games. She has a great work ethic and has a will to win. She knows how to find the goal in crucial moments and that is what we like about her."

The NLI's continue to file in this morning! Welcome to GCU Anyssa De Vera! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/dVSqklsjAA
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 4, 2016

Katie Stein (Redondo Union High School, D)

Katie Stein will come to Grand Canyon as an outside back and played for the No. 1 club team in the country, Sol Cal Blues ECNL U17. Stein was a member of the Sol Cal Blues team that won the Club National Championship this past year and had multiple offers to schools from Power Five conferences that included the Pac-12 and ACC. Currently Stein holds a 3.7 GPA.

Welcome to the GCU Family Katie Stein! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/U7HJR1untB
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 4, 2016

Coach Barron: "Katie comes from another top team in the country and she has the ability to play multiple positions. She has produced at the highest level in club and she turned down a lot of great opportunities to come to GCU so we are thrilled to have her."

Fiona Samodurov (Camas High School, D/M)

Fiona Samodurov is the second incoming freshman to come from Crossfire United ECNL U18, joining De Vera. Samodurov was a three-time ODP State Team selection and was a US Club National Cup U16 Super Group finalists. Like De Vera, Samodurov also attended Camas high school where she a First Team All-League selection and currently holds a 3.65 grade point average.

Coach Barron: "Fiona is a true outside-back that loves to get forward because she has great speed. She displays a great attitude along with a fantastic work ethic and she has the chance to come in right away and make an impact on the team."

Welcome to GCU Fiona Samodurov! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/2nRWZIcLxY
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 4, 2016

Madison Wisely (Northwest Christian High School, M)

Madison Wisely is the only player to sign from the state of Arizona as she comes from Northwest Christian high school where she was an All-Conference First Team selection and an All-Section Second Team honoree. Wisely has also thrived in the classroom as she was inducted into the National Honors Society as she holds a 3.93 GPA.

Coach Barron: "Madison plays locally here in town for the ECNL Sereno soccer club where she was impressive. She will fit right into GCU, having come from a Christian high school and shows a great love for the game. She is a special person and that will translate onto the field."

Our sixth & final member in our Class of 2016 is Madison Wisely! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/84AVWNeiXp
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 4, 2016

Amber Filbrun (Big Valley Christian High School, D)

Amber Filbrun hails from Modesto, Calif. after playing for Elite SC 98G – Cal North in club soccer and also played for her high school, Big Valley Christian. The three-time team captain is a CCAA Conference First Team All-League selection and is a two-time Golden Boot Award recipient. She holds the Big Valley Christian high school record for most goals scored in two seasons having scored 35 goals the past two seasons.

Coach Barron: "Amber can play multiple positions within the backline and is not only a great soccer player but also a fantastic student with a 4.0 grade point average. She can use both her left and right foot and has great speed along with size, which we need going into next season."

Up next in our Class of 2016 is Amber Filbrun! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/k1qFCKk6Zj
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 4, 2016

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Women's soccer announces class of 2016 signees