Tennessee softball lands Oklahoma's Mackenzie Donihoo and Arizona's Giulia Koutsoyanopulos

Tennessee softball reaped the benefits of bringing in Oklahoma transfer Zaida Puni and Arizona transfer Ivy Davis – so it's hoping for more success with the same recipe.

Utility players Mackenzie Donihoo from Oklahoma and Giulia Koutsoyanopulos from Arizona were announced Monday as additions to UT's 2023 roster. The two transfers join 2022 MAC Pitcher of the Year Payton Gottshall and 10 true freshmen  from a class that is rated No. 7 in the country by Extra Inning Softball.

Donihoo and Koutsoyanopulos both have two years of eligibility remaining.

Donihoo was a key piece of the Sooners' 2021 NCAA title, starting 31 games in 2021. During the 2021 WCWS, Donihoo hit .476 with 10 RBIs and three home runs. She also made a memorable leaping catch in the outfield in Game 3, helping Oklahoma secure the title.

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Donihoo's last appearance for Oklahoma was on April 9, and Sooners coach Patty Gasso announced Donihoo's departure on May 11. In all, she started in 73 games of her 115 appearances. The Mustang, Oklahoma, native had a career batting average of .317 with 64 runs scored, 11 doubles, 10 home runs and 65 RBIs.

"I love the passion and grit Mackenzie brings to the game," Tennessee coach Karen Weekly said in a school release. "She has proven herself on the biggest stage in softball. She's versatile and can play on both the dirt and grass. We're excited she's a Lady Vol."

Koutsoyanopulos, a member of Italy's national team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, spent the last two seasons with Arizona.

The Mission Viejo, California, native started in 27 of her 102 appearances, with a career batting average of .280 with 21 hits and 35 runs scored. A majority of Koutsoyanopulos' playing time was as a defensive replacement or a pinch runner, but she took on a starting role in center field in 2022 because of injuries.

Koutsoyanopulos logged five multi-hit games this spring, including a three-hit performance against UNLV in which she hit her first career home run.

"Giulia has an intensity and competitive fire that bring the term 'old school' to mind," Weekly said. "She just loves to play softball. Her drive to compete and get better is off the charts. I look forward to coaching her."

Koutsoyanopulos is also a former teammate of Puni. The two played travel ball for OC Batbusters in high school.

Puni made an immediate impact for Tennessee after transferring from Oklahoma, earning All-SEC Second Team honors. The rising junior from Carson, California, started 58 games and hit .287 with 11 doubles, 14 home runs and 53 RBIs.

Davis transferred to UT from Arizona in 2020 for her last two seasons of eligibility. In her time at Tennessee, she started in 116 games and hit .271 with 13 doubles, 29 home runs and 85 RBIs. Davis earned All-SEC Second Team and All-SEC Defensive Team honors this season.

Cora Hall: Covering UT women's athletics
Twitter | cora.hall@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee softball adds Oklahoma, Arizona transfers out of portal