Dec. 14, 2001

Texas Tech softball coach Bobby Reeves announced today the signing of two standout softball prospects from the state of California to National Letters of Intent for the 2003 season.

Elyssa Sigala is a 5-foot-7 catcher currently playing at West Valley Community College, where she is batting .495 with an on-base percentage of .513. Sigala comes from the same college that produced current Red Raiders Esmerelda Perez and Kristi Robles. While at WVCC Sigala was named All-Conference, All-State and led the state in runs batted in with 62. Not only an excellent athlete, she also is active in the community helping organize fundraisers to aid underprivileged children as well as serving as a camp counselor for Natividad Middle School.

Arlene Newton is a 5-foot-6 senior at Santa Ana Valley High School in San Ana Calif. where she pitches and plays the left side of the infield. Newton is batting .409 with a .973 fielding percentage and was named first-team All-League in both 1999 and 2000. She is an outstanding student in the classroom ranking 92nd of 753 in her class with an overall grade point average of 3.27.

Coach Reeves is excited about the singing of Newton and Sigala and feels like they have the talent and ability to step in next season and compete for starting positions. "Arlene is great defensively and has a strong arm that can hit for power into the gaps. Sigala is such a versatile athlete that she can play anywhere. She is a tremendous hitter and a fierce competitor, " noted Reeves.

The 2002 Red Raiders will open the season on February 1st in San Marcos, Texas, playing in the Southwest Texas Tournament.