Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
VOLLEYBALL
Louisiana Tech volleyball head coach Scott Mattera announced the addition of five student-athletes to the Bulldog’s program during the early signing period Wednesday afternoon.
LA Tech added an outside hitter, a setter, a defensive specialist, a middle, and a middle/outside hitter. All athletes reign from the southern states with three from Texas, one from Louisiana and one from Florida.
Lauren Garcia, Setter
Reagan High School – San Antonio, Texas
Alamo Volleyball Club, Austin Performance Volleyball Club
One of the highest rated setter recruits in the country and is ranked in the top 100 overall recruits in the nation in all three major ranking agencies. AVCA Freshman All American (2023), AVCA All American HM (2024) AVCA All American Watch List (2026), Invited to the USAV National Team Development Program Training Camp and has amassed over 3000 Assists, 1000 Kills, and 1000 Digs in her HS career despite missing a large part of the 2025 season.
“Lauren is a really big get for us not just because of her accolades and talent, but because of what a great competitor and teammate she is. I was fortunate to have been her trainer back in my club days in San Antonio, so this is the continuation of a really great story!”
Erin Larson, Outside Hitter
Sun Lake High School – Land O Lakes, Florida
OTVA Volleyball Club
Erin has earned multiple “all conference” and “county top performer” awards while leading her high school team to back-to-back regional championships. She has also competed on the top team for one of the best clubs in the country.
“Erin caught our eye at a national qualifier during the club season with some fantastic serve receive angles and a frame that lends itself to powerful hitting – an area of her game that is coming on fast. She has a great sense of humor but balances it with a big time work ethic and desire to win – I know she’s going to fit in great here at Tech!”
Alix Klein, Defensive Specialist
Deer Park High School – Deer Park, TX
Houston Skyline Volleyball Club
4-Year Varsity Letterman in Both Volleyball and Track, 4-Time All-District, 4-Time All Academic Team, AVCA Phenom, DPHS Female Athlete of the Year, 2023 USAV Club National Champion.
“Alix reached out to us and when I saw that she played on the top team at her club (Riley Steubing’s old club), I knew we should check her out. Huge smile, huge hustle, amazing teammate, great competitor, and just really bought into our way of doing things when she came to camp. She’s going to add valuable to our depth in the back row and at the serving line.”
Skylar Towner, Middle
St. Michael the Archangel High School – Baton Rouge, LA
Red Storm Volleyball Club
Accolades: 2 Time All State Selection (expected 3rd this season), District MVP, AVCA Phenom, led her team to a 39-win season and a runner up at the state tourney in 2025. Also a top performer on her Red Storm Club Volleyball team, leading them to a national championship tourney birth in 2026.
“I had her on our watch list as a kid from our state to keep an eye on and then both Coach Pollart and Coach Cami really liked her at a camp they were helped out add. We invited her to our camp and I immediately knew we wanted her. Physical, fun, kind, but fierce – she’s a Bulldog through and through. She’s won a lot of matches as a go to player in both high school and club and I think she’s still just scratching the surface of what she’s capable of.”
Arayah Watson
Fulshear High School – Richmond, TX
Houston Juniors Volleyball Club
Rated as a Top 100 Recruit in the nation by Prepvolleyball.com. Blocker or the Year (Soph), 2-Time All District (3rd expected this season), 2-Time State Finalist, Captain – Houston Juniors Club Team
“A well-known Power 4 Coach referred to Arayah as a “steal” in the class of 2027 and we couldn’t agree more. She flew under the radar a bit due to an injury, but she is back to 100% and we could not be more excited about her future. She’s been a big time middle throughout her career, but we think she’s got the potential to become a major asset on the outside or right side at the college level. She an awesome teammate, proven leader, believes in our values, and isn’t afraid of the work that it takes to succeed!”
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SOFTBALL
Louisiana Tech head softball coach Josh Taylor announced the signing of six student-athletes to the Bulldogs’ 2027 recruiting class Wednesday, adding a talented group that includes two pitchers, a catcher, two infielders and an outfielder.
The six-member class features three players from Texas and one each from Arkansas, California and Louisiana. The group includes multiple all-state selections, record-setting offensive performers and players who have helped lead their high school and travel teams to championship success.
The class consists of outfielder Bijan Ali (Pearland, Texas), pitcher Caroline Baker (San Pedro, California), infielder Analee Becerra (Whitehouse, Texas), first baseman Macy Browning (Conroe, Texas), pitcher Shelbee Gros (Thibodaux, Louisiana) and catcher Jordan Nailling (Paragould, Arkansas).
The six signees will join the Bulldogs for the 2027-28 academic year.
Ali joins the Bulldogs following a successful career with the HCYA Warriors, where she played four years of varsity softball under head coach Alan Snedeker.
She helped lead the Warriors to the 2024 NACA Division I National Championship and TAIAO Texas State Championship. Ali was also part of HCYA’s 2026 NACA National Championship team.
“Bijan is a player we’re excited to add because of the offensive potential and competitive experience she brings to this recruiting class,” Taylor said. “We want athletes who are eager to develop, willing to be challenged, and excited about the opportunity to compete at the Division I level.
“Bijan will have the opportunity to grow within our system, learn what it means to compete every day, and establish herself as part of our Bulldog family.”
Ali has competed at the travel-ball level for Impact Gold Jackson/Jazz 18U under head coach Jazz Jackson-Vesely.
“I chose Louisiana Tech because it feels like the perfect place for me to grow as both a student and an athlete,” Ali said. “The coaches made me feel welcomed and believed in my potential from the beginning. I’m excited to become part of the Bulldog family and continue playing the sport I love at the next level.”
Baker brings an impressive collection of pitching honors to Ruston following her career at San Pedro High School under head coach Andy Flores.
A two-time first-team All-Conference selection, Baker was named the 2025 CIF Marine League Pitcher of the Year while also earning Daily Breeze All-Area First Team and CIF All-City Team recognition.
She was selected to the 2024 Extra Inning Softball West Region First Team and was twice named a Daily Breeze High School Athlete of the Week. Baker was also a two-time Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American finalist.
“Caroline brings an exciting combination of size, pitching ability, and competitive experience to our program,” Taylor said. “She has developed a strong arsenal of pitches and has challenged herself against some of the best hitters in the country.
“What excites us is her potential to continue growing as a complete pitcher, learning how to command the game and compete in big moments.”
Baker helped lead San Pedro to the 2026 Marine League championship and competed in travel softball for the BSC Bengals.
“I chose Louisiana Tech because from the moment I stepped on campus, I felt so welcomed,” Baker said. “I loved the culture, the coaches, the team and the opportunity to continue to grow both as a softball player and a person. I’m so excited for this opportunity and excited to be a Bulldog!”
Becerra brings one of the most impressive offensive resumes in the signing class after establishing herself as one of the top power hitters in Texas.
A three-time Class 5A All-State selection, Becerra hit .530 with 55 hits, 20 home runs and 59 RBI during her junior season in 2026. She posted a .580 on-base percentage and a 1.336 slugging percentage.
Her 20 home runs established a Whitehouse single-season record, and she enters her senior season as the school’s career home run leader with 41.
Becerra is also a three-time District 10 All-District selection and earned All-Rose Country honors in each of her first three high school seasons. She helped lead Whitehouse to the 2024 District 10-5A championship.
“Analee is a dynamic player who has the ability to impact a game in several different ways,” Taylor said. “Her offensive production speaks for itself, but what makes her particularly exciting is the combination of power, athleticism, and defensive ability she brings to the middle infield.
“We want players who embrace the challenge of being great, and Analee has demonstrated that mindset through her performance.”
She plays travel softball for Sneaky Cleats Gold.
“Louisiana Tech felt like the perfect mix of being close enough to home but far enough away to let me pretend I’m adventurous,” Becerra said. “The second I stepped on campus, I could see myself there. I loved the campus, the people, the strong academics and the athletic programs, but what really sold me was the community. The way the whole town shows up and supports Tech, whether it’s academics or athletics, made it feel like a place I wanted to be a part of.”
Browning adds another powerful bat to the Bulldogs’ recruiting class following a productive career at Oak Ridge High School.
A two-time first-team All-District selection, Browning batted .323 with 15 home runs, seven doubles, one triple and 58 RBI during her junior season. She recorded 40 hits, scored 40 runs and drew 24 walks while producing a .758 slugging percentage and 1.199 OPS.
Browning helped lead Oak Ridge to the 2024 District 13-6A co-championship and Region II regional semifinals. The War Eagles also captured area championships in 2025 and 2026.
She earned the team’s Offensive Award as a junior and Most Improved Player recognition as a sophomore.
“Macy is an exciting addition to our program because of the defensive and offensive potential she brings,” Taylor said. “Macy has the ability to be dynamic at first base and has proven she has an explosive bat.
“She has competed in a strong travel-ball environment, and we believe her best softball is still ahead of her.”
Browning competes for Blaze 18U Gold ATX in travel softball.
“I chose Louisiana Tech because it felt like home,” Browning said. “The overall culture and team atmosphere was something I was looking for in a program. The coaching staff made me feel like family, and I can’t wait to call Ruston home.”
Gros is the lone Louisiana native in the class and brings an outstanding pitching resume to the Bulldogs.
A four-time All-District selection, Gros enters her senior season with 777 career strikeouts in 485.1 innings, a 2.39 ERA and a .178 opponent batting average.
As a junior, she recorded a 2.00 ERA with 261 strikeouts in 157.1 innings while limiting opponents to a .163 batting average. She also contributed offensively, batting .312 with four home runs and 24 RBI.
Gros earned LSWA Class 4A All-State honors as a pitcher and Louisiana Softball Coaches Association Class 4A All-State recognition at utility following her junior season.
She has helped E.D. White reach three consecutive state semifinals from 2024-26 and was part of the Cardinals’ 2023 district championship team.
“Shelbee is a proven winner, and that’s something that immediately stands out when you evaluate her career,” Taylor said. “She’s been extremely successful in the circle, earned recognition among the best players in Louisiana, and demonstrated the ability to contribute in multiple ways.
“Keeping talented Louisiana players in our state is important to us, and we’re excited that Shelbee has chosen to represent Louisiana Tech.”
Gros played travel softball for United 18U-Albert under head coach Chris Albert.
“I chose Louisiana Tech because it felt like it’s a good home for me and a place where I can grow on and off the field,” Gros said. “The coaches, team and the atmosphere all fit together in what I wanted my experience to be like. I’m really excited to get down there, get to work and become part of the Bulldog family. I can’t wait to meet my teammates, compete and make memories that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m ready to give everything I have and see what we can accomplish together.”
Nailling rounds out the signing class after establishing herself as one of Arkansas’ top offensive performers.
A two-time All-State selection and three-time All-Conference honoree, Nailling batted .535 with 10 home runs and 54 RBI during her junior season. She posted a .632 on-base percentage, 1.047 slugging percentage and 1.678 OPS.
Nailling was named the 2026 Best Under the Sun Player of the Year and earned Arkansas All Preps Team and All-State Tournament Team honors.
She helped Greene County Tech win conference championships in 2024 and 2025 while advancing to the state semifinals in 2024 and quarterfinals in both 2025 and 2026.
“Jordan is an exciting addition at a position that plays such an important role in the success of a softball team,” Taylor said. “We put tremendous value on developing catchers who understand the game, communicate effectively, and take ownership of the pitching staff.
“Jordan has an opportunity to grow into that type of presence for our program.”
Nailling competes in travel softball for Tennessee Mojo Ramsey 18U.
“I knew Louisiana Tech was where I was meant to be the moment I stepped on campus,” Nailling said. “I’ve always wanted to be part of a program that is like family, and I felt that immediately. The coaching staff is phenomenal in every way possible. I am so grateful that I get this opportunity to play for such an amazing coaching staff and program. I love everything about Louisiana Tech, and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. I am so blessed and honored to be able to call Louisiana Tech my home.”
