University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Bruins Added to USA WNT, Elite Teams
May 25, 2016 | Softball
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Amateur Softball Association announced on Tuesday that a pair of Bruins have been added to the USA Softball Women's Elite Team roster, while another has been promoted to the USA Women's National Team squad.
Freshman Paige Halstead has earned a spot on the top USA team after having spent the 2015 season on the USA Junior squad. Halstead, who was initially named to the Elite Team last January after receiving a Team USA Selection Camp tryout, won gold at the WBSC Junior Women's World Championship last August. She played in four games, going 4-for-8 (.500) with five runs batted in, four runs, a double, a stolen base and a walk. Halstead also did not commit an error in 36 chances behind the plate last July at the World Cup of Softball. Halstead joins Bruin alums Ally Carda and Delaney Spaulding, who were named to the WNT roster in January.
Receiving their first opportunities to put on the Red, White and Blue are senior Allexis Bennett and sophomore Madeline Jelenicki. The duo will join 2017 incoming freshman Madilyn Nickles on the Elite Team roster, as well as two more Bruin alums on the coaching staff, head coach Tairia Flowers and assistant coach Gina Vecchione.
Both teams begin their summers with training camp, June 12-16, in Oklahoma City, and both will participate in the World Cup of Softball in OKC (July 5-10). The USA Women's National Team will also take part in a few international competitions in Japan (USA vs. Japan All-Star Series - June 20-26), Canada (WBSC Women's World Championship - July 15-24) and Japan again (Japan Cup - Aug. 24-Sept. 5). For more information on USA Softball, click here.
