EL PASO, Texas – UTEP softball head coach TJ Hubbard announced the addition of three transfer student-athletes who will join the Miners for the 2027 season. Mia Richards, Lili Montoya and Lyndsey Hooker each bring Division I experience and decorated prep careers to the program.
"We're excited to welcome Mia, Lili and Lyndsey to the UTEP family," Hubbard said. "All three bring a competitive mindset, proven success at the high school and club levels, and experience at strong Division I programs. They're talented athletes who fit what we're building here and we're looking forward to seeing their impact in Orange and Blue."
Mia Richards | 1B/C | Brock, Texas | Texas Tech
Richards arrives in El Paso after spending the 2026 season at Texas Tech.
A native of Brock, Texas, Richards graduated from Brock High School in 2025 following a standout prep career. She earned Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State honors twice and was named District 6-4A MVP and District 8-3A Co-MVP. Richards also collected Offensive MVP and Catcher of the Year accolades while earning Academic All-District recognition in 2025.
At the club level, Richards competed for Texas Hotshots (Dallas) under coach Ryan Hooker.
Lili Montoya | RHP | Albuquerque, N.M. | New Mexico State
Montoya joins the Miners after one season at New Mexico State.
The Albuquerque native established herself as one of New Mexico's top pitchers while competing at La Cueva High School, graduating in 2025. She led the state in strikeouts in 2025 and earned Metro Player of the Year honors in both 2024 and 2025. Montoya was also named District Player of the Year in 2025 and collected First Team All-Metro, First Team All-State and First Team All-District honors in consecutive seasons.
Montoya played club softball with New Mexico Suncats Gold under coach Jonathan Gandert, where she earned national recognition. Her accomplishments included leading the National Alliance in strikeouts, wins and strikeouts per inning in 2024. She was also named Loretta B. PGF MVP and Player of the Tournament in 2024, earned Don Battles Pitcher of the Tournament honors and was recognized as Colorado Sparkler Pitcher of the Tournament in 2025.
Lyndsey Hooker | OF | Prosper, Texas | Michigan State
Hooker transfers to UTEP after appearing in 20 games during the 2026 season at Michigan State, making seven starts.
As a freshman, Hooker batted .219 with seven hits, including one double and one home run, while driving in four runs. She struck out only four times across 37 plate appearances and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 13 putouts and one assist. Among her highlights were a game-tying pinch-hit single against Charlotte, her first collegiate home run against Murray State, and multiple starts during Big Ten play.
Prior to Michigan State, Hooker starred at Prosper Walnut Grove High School where she graduated in 2025 as Prosper ISD's career leader in nearly every offensive and pitching category. Her career marks included a .436 batting average, 194 hits, 41 home runs, 158 RBI, 62 wins and 403 strikeouts.
A four-year varsity starter, Hooker helped lead her team to district, bi-district, area and regional quarterfinal championships while earning numerous individual honors, including team MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and four All-District selections. She was named 5-6A Pitcher of the Year in 2022, 5-6A Utility Player of the Year in 2023, 10-5A Most Valuable Player in 2024 and 9-5A Co-Most Valuable Player in 2025. Hooker also earned Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State, Texas Sportswriters All-State, Dallas Morning News All-Area, DFW All-Metroplex, Academic All-State and four Academic All-District selections.
Hooker competed at the club level with Hotshots National and Texas Glory, helping earn championships at the Colorado Sparkler and Alliance Nationals. She was also ranked as the No. 4 outfielder nationally in ExtraInning Softball's final 2025 class rankings.
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