EL PASO, Texas – UTEP softball head coach TJ Hubbard announced the addition of three student-athletes who will join the Miners for the 2027 season. Incoming freshman Antoinette Bovee and transfers Taralynn Ollison and Ireland Riley bring a combination of collegiate experience, offensive production, defensive versatility and academic success to the program.
"This group gives us a great combination of experience and potential," Hubbard said. "Taralynn and Ireland have already competed at the Division I level, while Antoinette has all the tools to make a smooth transition to college softball. We're excited to get them on campus and see them grow within our program."
Antoinette Bovee | LHP/1B | Phoenix, Ariz. | Sandra Day O'Connor HS | Arizona Storm Walding 18U
Bovee joins the Miners after a standout prep career at Sandra Day O'Connor High School, where she earned four varsity letters. During her senior season, she posted a 1.75 ERA in the circle while also producing offensively with a .300 batting average, a .378 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage, including three home runs. Defensively, she recorded a .938 fielding percentage, committing just one error throughout the season.
A four-time First Team All-Academic selection from 2023-26, Bovee competed for Arizona Storm 18U under coach Chris Walding.
Taralynn Ollison | OF | Murrieta, Calif. | Vista Murrieta HS | Southern Utah
Ollison arrives in El Paso after three seasons at Southern Utah, where she developed into one of the Thunderbirds' most consistent hitters.
As a freshman in 2024, she appeared in 44 games primarily as a defensive specialist while collecting eight hits, including a double. She followed with a breakout sophomore campaign in 2025, batting .308 with 28 hits, nine RBI and four sacrifice hits across 38 games.
Ollison put together her strongest season in 2026, starting 51 games while batting .329 with 57 hits, 31 runs scored and 21 RBI. She totaled eight doubles and three triples, highlighted by a 4-for-5 performance against Boise State. While she consistently produced multiple-hit games throughout the season, defensively, she posted a .965 fielding percentage with 81 putouts and 85 assists.
Off the field, Ollison earned NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-District honors while also being named to the Dean's List. She played club softball for Corona Angels 18 Gold under Marty Tyson.
Ireland Riley | INF | Bethany, Okla. | Bethany HS | Indiana State
Riley transfers to UTEP after spending the 2026 season at Indiana State, where she appeared in 32 games with 25 starts. She batted .267 with 16 hits in 60 at-bats while scoring eight runs and helping turn five double plays defensively.
Before beginning her collegiate career, Riley established herself as one of Oklahoma's top prep players at Bethany High School. As a senior, she batted .593 with a .652 on-base percentage and set the school's single-season record with 67 hits. She earned All-State and Academic All-State honors in 2025 while collecting four career All-District selections. Riley was also named Offensive Player of the Year, Prep Nation All-State, Prep Nation Slugger Award winner, Region 3 All-Region, Little All-City First Team and PNTV All-State, in addition to receiving the PNTV Bomber Award.
Academically, Riley graduated with a 4.3 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society.
On the travel ball circuit, Riley competed for Exclusive National under Donnie Hughes and Gametime LC under Joel Campbell. During her final club season, she hit .462 with a .528 on-base percentage while earning Alliance Fastpitch CFL All-Star Team, Top Club National All-Tournament Team, CFL Super 32 Offensive Player of the Tournament and Colorado Sparkler Academic All-Star Team honors.
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