Nov. 18, 2003
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team has received five signed national letters of intent to play for the Rebels, head coach Lonni Alameda announced Tuesday.
Signing with UNLV were Shannon Crisp, Danielle Martinez, Brittany Meade, Marissa Nichols and Caitlyn Paus.
"We are very excited about our recruiting class this year," Alameda said. "Our coaching staff has worked very hard to put together a group of players that will mix in well with what we have inherited here at UNLV, and now after the early signing period is over, we could not be happier with our first recruiting class."
Highlighting the Rebels' new class of players are Crisp and Martinez, summer ball teammates who are both from Las Vegas and considered two of the top players in the state.
"Both of these players are huge assets to our program," Alameda said. "Not only are they athletically talented, but both bring a sense of hometown pride to the field, and those are the types of competitive players we need."
Crisp, a senior at Las Vegas Centennial High School, has been widely regarded as one of the top players in Nevada since leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the state. A right-handed power pitcher, Crisp also hits the ball well, can play first base, and should make an immediate impact upon arriving at UNLV. A two-time all-state choice, Crisp was the 2003 Las Vegas Player of the Year and earned second team high school All-America honors.
"Shannon is such a competitive player and her commitment to play at UNLV has us very excited," Alameda said. "She really strengthens our lineup and adds a lot of depth in the circle."
Martinez plays shortstop at Sierra Vista High School and led the Lions to an appearance in the Sunset Region championship game last year where they fell to Crisp's Bulldogs. An all-region selection, Martinez was twice named her school's Defensive Player of the Year.
"Danielle is a very good middle infielder and will undoubtedly make a big impact on this team," Alameda said.
Meade is an honor student at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Ariz., where she was a second-team all-state choice in softball and helped the Caballeros to the 2002 5A state title. She catches and plays third base.
"Brittany is a mature and talented athlete, and has great leadership," Alameda said. "She's also very strong, both defensively and at the plate, and is a tremendous addition to this program."
Nichols is a two-sport star and honor student at Diamond Bar High School in Diamond Bar, Calif., lettering in both softball and volleyball. A three-time all-state choice, Nichols is a versatile athlete who can pitch, hit and run.
"Marissa is a very driven player and plays the game with a lot of passion," Alameda said.
Rounding out the signing class is Caitlyn Paus of New Lenox, Ill. She has earned all-conference honors each of the past three years at Lincoln Way Central High School and hit .348 with three homers for the Knights last season. An honor student, Paus also plays for the Knights' volleyball team.
"Caitlyn is a well-rounded player," Alameda said. "She is a middle infielder, hits for power, and carries good knowledge of the game, which allows her to play anywhere."
All five players will enroll at UNLV in the fall of 2004 and begin playing softball in the 2005 season.
