Dec. 14, 2011
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball program has received signed national letters of intent from Garie Blando, Alyssa Cordova, Jamie DePippo and Emily Haslinger to enroll at the university and play for the Rebels starting in the spring of 2013, head coach Pete Manarino announced Wednesday.
"We are excited to welcome these four players into our UNLV family," said Manarino.
Blando, a native of Chino Hills, Calif., will graduate from Chino Hills High School in 2012. She has lettered twice in both softball and volleyball for the Huskies. On the diamond, her team has combined for a 45-21 overall record and consecutive CIF semifinal finishes the past two years. During her junior campaign, she was named to the Sierra League First Team and earned the Chino Hills Varsity Softball Slugger Award after she amassed the highest batting average (.440) and slugging percentage (.702) en route to helping the team to a league title. On the court, she has helped the Huskies to a 54-15 record the past two seasons, a Sierra League championship (2010) and a runner-up finish (2011). The 2010 squad were CIF finalists and state semifinalists.
"Garie Blando is a great athlete that can do a lot of things for us. She hits for power and has good speed. She will probably be used as a utility player due to her versatility."
Cordova, a native of Chino, Calif., will graduate from Chino High School in 2012. She has lettered three years in softball for the Cowboys. She helped the team to a second-place finish in the Mt. Baldy League in 2011 and third in the Sierra League in 2009. She was named to the 2011 Mt. Baldy League First Team two years after she earned Sierra League Honorable Mention honors in '09.
"Alyssa Cordova has good speed and is a great defensive player that will be able to play a variety of positions for us."
DePippo, a native of Agoura Hills, Calif., will graduate from Agoura High School in 2012. She has lettered three years for the Chargers and helped them to a second-place finish in the Marmonte League as a sophomore. She has earned all-league honors each year with one appearance on the first team and two on the second team. During her junior season, she was named a team captain and was named the team's MVP.
"Jamie DePippo will provide good power offensively to the team and will play the corner infield positions for us."
Haslinger, a native of Lake Forest, Calif., will graduate from El Toro High School in 2012. She has lettered twice for the Bulls. In 2010, she was named to the Sea View League First Team, and earned team defensive MVP honors.
"Emily Haslinger is a power hitter and will help us behind the plate. She is an outstanding catcher and great receiver."
