Nov. 10, 2011

BERKELEY - As they have built quite a reputation in doing, the California softball coaching staff has signed four outstanding recruits to National Letters of Intent, head coach Diane Ninemire announced Wednesday. Vanessa Alvarez, Khala Taylor, Jasmin Mejia and Nisa Ontiveros will suit up in the Blue & Gold come the spring of 2013.

"I think it's a very strong recruiting class," Ninemire said. "We really look forward to them joining us. They'll all add a lot of speed and versatility to our line-up."

"I choose the University of California because of its renowned reputation for superior academics and having the opportunity to play on a Pac-12 softball team," Alvarez said. "Also, Cal is near home and I am honored to represent the Golden Bears."

A speedy trackster out of Temecula, Calif., Khala Taylor will no doubt be an asset on the base paths. At the plate, she's a triple threat who can bunt, slap and swing away.

"I chose Cal because it is an amazing, prestigious university that I immediately fell in love with on my unofficial visit as a sophomore," Taylor said. "I connected instantly with the coaching staff and players, and they made me feel like I was already a part of the Bear Family. Cal's softball team is one of the top programs in the nation with amazing coaches that make each and every player strong in both their strengths and weaknesses."

Jasmin Mejia will fill in the outfield with her great range and strong arm. She also wields a powerful bat.

"I love the family environment on and off the softball field," Mejia said. "Playing Pac-12 softball and having a degree from Cal are once in a lifetime opportunities."

Nisa Ontiveros is a powerful pitcher who is expected to make an immediate contribution in the circle with her great ball movement.

"Cal had everything that I wanted in a college," Ontiveros said. "It offers me an opportunity to receive an education from an amazing academic program and allows me to play with a top-notch softball team with a great group of players and coaches. When I went on campus, I fell in love with the atmosphere and beautiful surroundings."

Vanessa Alvarez
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
High school: Archbishop Mitty High School
Height: 5-2
Position: Pitcher, Outfield

Vanessa Alvarez

High School:
•Was the pitcher and player of the year as well as MVP of her prep team as a junior
•Named sophomore of the year and first-team all league in 2010
•Was second-team all-league and freshman of the year
•Led the team to finish first in league play all three years and first in the CSS as a freshman and junior
•The Mitty squad was ranked first in the nation her freshman year
•Mentored students at junior high and elementary schools
•Manager for the boy's varsity basketball team at Mitty - kept stats, ran drills, organized tournaments

Club Ball:
•Played with the Lady Sharks from 12U-14U
•Spent a year with the Sorcerers
•Plays with San Jose Sting

Personal:
•Interested in pursuing a career in sport medicine
•Is passionate about art, music and dance
•Parents are Jorge Alvarez and Lisa Rodriguez
•Mother Lisa attended Evergreen Valley College

Jasmin Mejia
Hometown: Riverside, Calif.
High school: Arlington High School
Height: 5-6
Position: Outfield

Jasmin Mejia

High School:
•First team all-CIF and all-league
•Member of Arlington High's Associated Student Body
•Led her prep squad to a championship

Club Ball:
•Plays for Corona Angeles, winning the 2010 Champions Cup
•Finished second at 14U Nationals in 2009 and third in 2008
•Also in 2009, won the 16U Champions Cup
•Took third at the 2007 12U Nationals and first in 2005 at the 10U Nationals

Personal:
•Brother Jeremiah played baseball at Vanguard, and other brother Jordan is currently playing baseball at Riverside Community College
•Loves being outdoors and watching sports with her brothers
•Mother Jana attended Fullerton Community College and father Jerry matriculated at Long Beach State

Nisa Ontiveros
Hometown: Bakersfield, Calif.
High school: Ridgeview High School
Height: 5-10
Position: Pitcher

Nisa Ontiveros

High School:
•A six-semester member of the academic honor roll
•Named the Sequoia Yosemite League Rookie of the Year as a freshman
•In 2010 was placed on the All-Sequoia Yosemite League first team and the Bakersfield Californian first-team all-area
•Led her prep squad to the 2011 CIF Central Valley DIII Championship and a No. 1 ranking in the state
•As a junior, named to the second team of the Max Preps All-American list, ESPN Rise' All-State and MaxPreps Sports All-State lists

Club Ball:
•Won the 2011 ASA 18U Champions Cup with the Corona Angels
Personal:
•Uncle Steve Ontiveros played with the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs from 1973-78
•Grandfather Edward Ontiveros played in the Houston Astros minor league system from 1968-70
•Parents Eric and Kristi attended Cal State Bakersfield

Khala Taylor
Hometown: Temecula, Calif.
High School: Great Oak High School
Height: 5-3
Position: Outfield

Khala Taylor

High School:
•Participated in multiple extracurricular activities including AVID, Great Oak Step Team and more
•As a freshman was named to the All-Valley first team, set the 200-meter school record (25.02s), was the freshman of the year and 4x400m league champion
•Two-time sprinter of the year
•National Society of High School Scholar as a sophomore and a scholar-athlete as a junior

Club Ball:
•Champions of the 18U Champions Cup and 16U Champions Cup with Corona Angels
•With the Corona Angels, finished in ninth at Premier Nationals 18U
•Took 33rd place at ASA 14U Nationals with the Next Level
•National runner-up at 14U with Corona Angels

Personal:
•Career aspirations include becoming an orthopedic surgeon or a professional singer
•Cousin Bryant Taylor plays basketball at McMurry University
•Has been singing since she was three-years-old and has had professional lessons
•Father Rodney is a master chief with the U.S. Navy and a registered nurse
•Mother Marlanea Kirkbride owns an MBA from University of Phoenix