Megan Barber, Kailey Cruickshank, Courtney Crawford, Simone Holland, Ashley Perez, Rachel Schaeffer and Andi Zolton have signed national letters of intent to play softball for UTEP, co-head coaches James and Kathleen Rodriguez announced on Friday.

"This is a great group of players who will bring versatility, power and speed to the softball program," said Kathleen Rodriguez.

Barber, a pitcher from Victorville, Calif., joins current UTEP players Gracie Borjas and Jennifer Garcia as El Paso Community College transfers. Barber started 29 games, pitching 191.2 innings with a 1.74 ERA and 174 strikeouts. She led the team with 35 RBIs and a .271 batting average. She earned WJCAC All-Conference honors in 2003 and 2004.

Crawford, a pitcher from Tempe, Ariz., finished the season with three no-hitters, 200-plus strikeouts and a .90 ERA. She was second team All-State and first team All-Tribune her senior season at Tempe High School. Crawford earned All-Region and All-Tribune honors as a sophomore and junior. She helped lead her 18-under ASA team to a seventh place finish at nationals in 2003.

Holland, a pitcher from La Mirada, Calif., garnered All-Suburban League honors in 2001, 2002 and 2003. She helped lead La Mirada High School to two consecutive Suburban League championships. In 2002, her ASA team took ninth place at the national championships, and seventh place in 2001.

"We are adding much-needed help to the pitching area," Rodriguez said. "We had a lack of healthy arms this year, which made it difficult to compete. Megan was a 20-game winner at El Paso Community College and Courtney had one of the best years in Arizona high school history. Simone is a utility player who not only pitches but is also great in the infield."

Cruickshank, a Glendale, Ariz. native, helped lead her team to the Arizona Class 5A state title. She was a first team All-Region honoree in 2003 while splitting time at catcher, third base and in the outfield. She helped lead her 18-under ASA team to nationals for the second consecutive year, while earning a spot on the AIA All-Region team. Cruickshank was Deer Valley High School's Most Valuable Player in 2001, and was named Most Improved Player for her achievements in volleyball the same year. She holds a 3.8 grade point average and was the recipient of the Deer Valley Rio Salado College Scholarship Award.

Perez, a shortstop from Franklin High School in El Paso, was named All-District Defensive Most Valuable Player while tallying a .371 batting average, .929 fielding percentage and 18 RBIs. She helped lead the Cougars to third place in district competition this season. In 2003, she received first team All-City honors and was the All-District Offensive Most Valuable Player. She also lettered in volleyball, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Schaeffer, an El Paso native from Coronado High School, finished the season with a .390 batting average with 140 total bases and 27 stolen bases. She was the 2004 District 1-5A Most Valuable Player and the Coronado Female Athlete of the Year. In 2003 she was tabbed All-District Co-Most Valuable Player and named to the El Paso Times All-City second team, while leading the Thunderbirds to the district title. She was named to the first team All-District in 2001. A basketball letterwinner, Schaeffer is ranked in the top eight percent of Coronado's graduating class.

Zolton, an Edmonds, Wash. native, helped Edmonds-Woodway High School to a 13-7 finish this season. The All-Conference first team honoree had a .363 batting average, a .437 on-base percentage and four RBIs.

"Kailey brings help behind the plate and has batting power," said Rodriguez. "Ashley and Rachel are local utility players who can play at just about every position and Andi will bring speed and defensive specialty to the outfield."