ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico head softball coach Erica Beach has announced the signing of four more student-athletes for the 2015-16. Brooke Breland, D’Andra DeFlora, Kasey Hallen and Colette Robert each signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the Lobos next season.
“This signing class is diverse, athletic, and excited to be Lobos,” said Beach. “These athletes will bring a great deal of energy and athleticism to our program. I cannot watit until they are in the cherry and silver!”
Brooke Breland (Queen Creek, Ariz.):
Breland is a four-year letterwinner for Basha High School, playing for head coach Scott Hoff Meyer. As an outfielder, she has garnered many accolades in her four years, including All-District Gilbert honorable Mention is 2012, NFCA West Region First Team selection in 2013, AZ Central All-State Second Team, All-Tribune All-State Division I selection and All-District Chandler First Team in 2013.
Not only does she succeed on the field, she succeeds in the classroom. Breland was named a Scholar-Athlete in softball, volleyball and golf. In the summer, Breland played for the Queen Creek Lady Cats and was the 2012 and 2013 TCS National Champions.
D’Andra DeFlora (Fresno, Texas):
DeFlora is a four-year letterwinner in softball for the L.V. Hightower High School Hurricanes. She is a two-time All-District selection and was a 5A District Champion in basketball for the 2012-13 season.
Like Breland, DeFlora is also a successful student in the classroom, earning Biology Student-Athlete of the Year in 2012. DeFlora played for the Houston Power club ball team, which finished in the top 10 at the PGF Nationals.
Kasey Halleen (Torrance, Calif.):
Halleen comes to New Mexico from Palos Verdes High School where she lettered four years in softball. The team was a semifinalist in the CIF and won the Bay League in 2014. She was named a Second Team All-Bay League selection in 2014.
Collette Robert (Milton-Freewater, Oregon):
Robert is a four-year letterwinner in softball at McLoughlin High School. She is a three-time Greater Oregon League champion and led her squad to the Oregon 4A State Championship in both 2013 and 2014, coming out on top in 2014.
Robert was named Oregon’s 4A Pitcher of the Year in 2014 and was Player and Pitcher of the Year for the Greater Oregon League since the 2013 season. She is also a First Team All-League and All-State selection. In the 2014 season, she batted .727 for the year with a 0.99 earned run average. She recorded 257 strikeouts with only nine walks in a 171 innings of work.
Robert is the first female in McLoughlin school history to go play for a Division I insitution. Robert has also earned more accolades including Eastern Oregon Player of the Year in 2014, Max Preps All-American Medium School Player and was picked as a 2015 Preseason All-American.