Nov. 15, 2016
SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State softball head coach Kathy Van Wyk has announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The six signees - Taylor Adams (Kirkland, Wash./Henry M. Jackson HS), Konnor Dahlberg (San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo HS), Janina Jusay (San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo HS), Katie Kempton (Pomona, Calif./Claremont HS), Kelsey Munoz (Chula Vista, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic HS) and Alizae Umi (Torrance, Calif./West HS) - join a program that has won a league-high seven championships in the 17-year history of the Mountain West.
"This is the strongest class we've ever signed," Van Wyk said, now entering her 21st season as head coach. "Several are capable of breaking into our lineup immediately and all will contribute. It's a well-balanced class as well. To have four of the six as local kids is even more exciting."
Taylor Adams, who played both first and third base at Henry M. Jackson High School, was a four-year letterwinner as a prep and also played three years for the Washington Ladyhawks club team. Adams was a three-time first-team All-Wesco District selection (2014-16) and a member of the 2015 All-USA Western Washington High School softball team. Adams helped lead HMJHS to a Wesco District Championship in both 2015 and 2016 and Wesco South Championship in 2014. She was a two-time captain in high school and the offensive player of the year in 2014 and 2016. Adams, who also played basketball at HMJHS, plans to major in journalism media studies at SDSU.
Konnor Dahlberg, a pitcher and first baseman out of local Rancho Bernardo HS with fellow signee Janina Jusay, was a first-team all-Palomar League pick and earned four letters in prep ball. She also played one season of club ball with the Explosion. Dahlberg intends to major in kinesiology at San Diego State with a plan to become a physical therapist.
Jusay, meanwhile, was an outfielder and catcher at Rancho Bernardo HS, earning second-team all-league accolades in 2016. Jusay was named the team's most valuable defensive player as a junior and earned the Silver Star Award with a 4.0 GPA. Jusay, who played her club ball with the SoCal Breakers, is undecided on a major at SDSU.
Katie Kempton, a Pomona, Calif., native, comes to The Mesa after playing shortstop, third base and catcher and earning four letters at Claremont High School. She was a first-team all-league selection last year as a junior, and an honorable-mention pick as a freshman and a sophomore. Kempton, a two-time captain, was also chosen as the league defensive player of the year in 2016 while leading the league in home runs as well. She plays her club ball with Firecrackers - Lucero and is undecided on a major.
Kelsey Munoz, a pitcher, shortstop and third baseman at local Mater Dei Catholic in Chula Vista, was a four-year letterwinner in high school. According to MaxPreps, Munoz batted .406 last year across 22 games with a home run, three doubles, 12 RBIs and 18 runs last year en route to being named a second-team all-CIF selection and first-team all-league for a second straight year. A two-time participant in the OnDeck National Elite Future Camp and current member of the Mexican Junior National team, Munoz played her club ball with the Firecrackers - Brashear. She also played two years of basketball at Mater Dei Catholic.
Alizae Umi, a catcher and second baseman, earned four letters at West High School in Riverside, Calif. Umi earned first-team all-league accolades last year, as well as honorable mention all-area. She was also the league's defensive player of the year as a junior, second-team all-league pick as a sophomore and the rookie of the year as a freshman. Umi also played volleyball at West HS and starred as a libero. She played her club ball with the Firecrackers. Umi may major in criminal justice.
The Aztecs finished 2016 with a 30-22 record, tying for third in league play with a 12-12 mark, but missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007. It marked the 11th consecutive season that SDSU posted 30 wins.