Statesboro, Ga. – March 29, 2024 – Jhenesis Ellerbe will rejoin South Georgia Tormenta FC for the 2024 USL W League season, pending league and federation approval. Ellerbe returns to Tormenta FC, having captained the team in 2023.
The Powder Springs native played her final college soccer season at Georgia Southern University, making six appearances. The team finished with a 12-6-1 (W-L-D) record but was eliminated in the second round of the sun belt conference tournament. Ellerbe spent four years at Young Harris College, making 52 appearances for the Mountain Lions. During the 2022 season, she made 15 appearances and contributed three goals and five assists.
Ellerbe spoke on her return to Tormenta, saying, “Coming into this next season with Tormenta will be special. We have an outstanding staff but also an incredible group of girls ready to compete. The hard work and dedication of the staff and team will lead us to great success! Vamos Tormenta Nation.”
The 5-foot-5-inch defender is entering her third year playing for Tormenta FC, having been a member of the 2022 championship team and captain of the side in 2023. During the 2023 season, Ellerbe and South Georgia missed the playoffs by five points, finishing the season with a 6-3-3 record. Ellerbe led the defense, conceding just nine goals all season.
During the 2022 season, Ellerbe led the team in minutes, playing 1,278 minutes across the regular season and the W League Playoffs. She was a crucial figure in Head Coach Jim Robbins’ defense, starting every match for South Georgia. The team allowed 11 goals and finished with a 10-1-4 regular season record. Tormenta FC went on to win all three playoff matches, being crowned champions of the inaugural USL W League season by beating Minnesota Aurora FC 1-2 in the final.
“We are excited to have Jhena back again this summer. She brings USL W Championship and two summers of USL W experience to a very deep and balanced roster,” Robbins said. “We will need her speed, technical ability, and leadership as we enter a new division this year. We expect to use her skillset in a wide position this summer so we can get her into the attack more and make it tougher on our opponents to defend all of our different options.”
Catch Ellerbe in action during the summer as she looks to win her second USL W League Championship for Tormenta FC by purchasing your tickets here.
Founded in 2015, Tormenta FC is a professional soccer club based in Statesboro, Georgia. Tormenta FC competes in the professional USL League One and the pre-professional USL W League, under the United Soccer League (USL) and has also established a thriving academy system throughout South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
For further information or scheduling interviews, please contact Noah Schroyer at (770) 871-8654 or email nschroyer@tormentafc.com or Caroline Boykin at (912) 667-9422 or email cboykin@tormentafc.com.