SAN ANTONIO ? The UTSA softball program announced Tuesday that Amber Anderson (Alvin, Texas/Alvin HS), Caitlyn Ivy (Huntington, Texas/Huntington HS), Ashley Kappler (Lake Jackson, Texas/Brazoswood HS), Laura Little (Spring, Texas/Spring HS), Morgan Luksa (League City, Texas/Clear Creek HS) and Elyse Seals (Splendora, Texas/Splendora HS) have signed National Letters of Intent for the 2008-09 year.
“We are extremely excited about this class,” third-year head coach Lori Cook said. “They will contribute right away and, when we add them to the mix we have now, we will have a very exciting team to watch. They have a chance to be as good, if not better, than the group that won three conference championships. Our main focus was to add pitching since we will lose Amanda Nikolenko and Janeille Nickels, and we did that. The bonus is they are versatile players who can play other positions.
“Not only are they strong on the field but in the classroom, as well. They are all graduating in the top 25 percent of their senior class. I am looking forward to coaching this group and watching them grow as student-athletes.”
Anderson was a high school teammate of current sophomore Rudi Cantu at Alvin High School under head coach Carla Newsome. A left-handed pitcher who also can play outfield or first base, Anderson set school records for single-season victories (28) and runs batted in (37) as a junior. A three-time all-district selection and the 2005 District 24-5A Newcomer of the Year, Anderson was named first-team all-state, all-Greater Houston and all-district in 2007. She also played summer ball for the Texas Eclipse under head coach Ken Glass.
“Amber is one of the top players coming out of the Houston area this year,” Cook said. “She has great size and athletic ability and brings a big left-handed stick to the plate. She has great speed, range and arm strength in the outfield and an array of pitches with great spin and movement as a pitcher. She will be an every day player for us and we are looking forward to her arrival.”
Ivy is a multi-sport star at Huntington High School, located near Lufkin. A middle infielder, she has been named first-team all-district three times and academic all-district once. Ivy has helped Huntington to a 42-0 district record over the past three seasons and to the state semifinals in 2007 under head coach Ruth Wright. Also an all-district basketball player, she plays summer ball for Sudden Impact Gold under head coach Pete Kirchberg.
“Caitlyn is a smooth-fielding middle infielder with a live arm who also could play in the outfield for us,” Cook said. “She can swing for power from both sides of the plate, and she has an outstanding attitude toward the game. She is going to be fun to watch play.”
Kappler, the younger sister of current freshman Kristin Kappler, has played second base and outfield for the past the past two seasons for head coach Laura Oltman at Brazoswood High School. She was named second-team all-county and Brazoswood’s Most Improved Player following her sophomore campaign. Kappler also helped her team advance to the state semifinals that season and to the regional semifinals in 2007. She plays summer ball for Texas Storm Gold under head coach Ronn Dixon.
“Ashley may be the most versatile player in this class,” Cook said. “She goes out on the field and makes things happen. She can play infield, outfield or catcher, and she has a strong bat. We really looking forward to her joining her sister next year.”
Little is a two-time all-district performer for head coach Julie Wyrick at Spring High School. Also an outstanding student, Little has served as yearbook sports editor and is a member of the student council, the distinguished grad program and Who’s Who Among American High School Students.
“Laura is a fine athlete who can play middle infield or outfield,” Cook said. “She has great hands, good size and a strong arm. She’ll bring another big bat to our lineup along with a great sense for how to play the game. Laura has grown up wanting to play for UTSA and we are very excited about having her join our program.”
Luksa is a two-sport standout at Clear Creek High School who has earned first-team all-district honors for the past two seasons as a utility player in softball. A right-hander pitcher who can also play in the outfield, she posted an earned run average of 0.64 as a sophomore and junior and also batted .364 in 2007. Luksa was named first-team all-county as a junior and team MVP as a sophomore. Also a volleyball letterwinner for the past two years, she plays summer ball for Texas Storm and Texas Express.
“Morgan will step right in for us and carry a big load,” Cook said. “She spins the ball really well and is unfazed on the mound, but she also will see time in the outfield and bring a big bat to our lineup. She’s the type of player who will get things done whenever she is in the lineup.”
Seals is a three-time all-district performer for head coach Val Weldon at Splendora High School. She was named district offensive player of the year after helping the Lady Wildcats reach the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs in 2007, and earned honorable mention all-state and first-team all-county honors as a sophomore. Also an all-district player in volleyball, she plays summer ball for McElite, which attended Gold Nationals the last two years, and Texas Connection.
“Elyse is a true outfielder who will anchor left or right field for us,” Cook said. “She is very strong and athletic, has a cannon for an arm and is a power hitter at the plate. She is a workhorse and excels in everything she does. She will do great things for our program.”
