University of Northern Colorado Athletics
11/11/2026 3:42:00 PM | Softball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado will welcome eight new players next fall, head coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm announced Wednesday, a class that includes two pitchers, a pair of catchers, three infielders and an outfielder.
"We are thrilled to welcome this talented signing class to our Bear family," Pendleton-Helm said. "They bring an exciting combination of power, speed, athleticism and depth, but what makes this group truly special is who they are beyond the field. They are outstanding students who believe in our culture and share the values at the heart of our program. We can't wait to help them grow, celebrate their successes and see the impact they will make on our team and university."
Bella Cooper, a 5-foot-3 outfielder from Manteca, Calif., was a First Team All-League and All-Section selection at Manteca High School, where she also earned Offensive Player of the Year honors. Her favorite moment in the sport came when she hit her first home run after receiving her offer from Northern Colorado.
Samantha Garcia is a 5-foot-7 middle infielder and utility player from Azusa, Calif. At Bishop Amat, she was the Del Rey League Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore, a three-time First Team All-League selection and a two-time team MVP, and she was named Rookie of the Year as a freshman. She tied her school's single-season home run record as a sophomore.
Addison Leppek, a 5-foot-8 shortstop and catcher from Lansing, Mich., was an All-Conference and Academic All-Conference selection at Haslett High School and earned her team's Offensive MVP award. She hit a grand slam on the first pitch she saw as a pinch hitter.
Noelle Kalavi is a 5-foot-10 pitcher from San Diego. She was Bonita Vista High School's Pitcher of the Year in 2026 and a First Team All-League selection in the Metro Mesa league. Her favorite moment came in the bottom of the seventh inning, when she struck out a batter with two runners on base to send Bonita Vista to the CIF Open Division championship game.
Mia Downes, a 5-foot-8 catcher and third baseman from Alpine, Calif., was named her team's top freshman, sophomore and junior athlete at Granite Hills High School and is a three-time Second Team All-League selection. She hit a grand slam in the CIF semifinals.
Jasmine Veal, a 5-foot-6 outfielder from Hawthorne, Calif., was named Rookie of the Year in 2024 and Most Valuable Player in 2025 at Da Vinci Communications, and she earned South Bay Athletic Association Pioneer League Second Team recognition in each of her first three seasons. She also won league titles in the 100 and 200 meters as a freshman.
Kenley Butler, a 5-foot-7 first baseman from Idaho Falls, Idaho, was a four-year varsity letterwinner and earned Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors in the infield at Idaho Falls High School as a junior. She was a Second Team All-Conference utility selection as a sophomore and an All-Conference Honorable Mention pick as a freshman at Thunder Ridge, where she also won a district championship and qualified for the state tournament. Her walk-off hit in the district championship game her freshman year sent Thunder Ridge to state.
Jacey Mazura, a 5-foot-3 shortstop and third baseman from Tucson, Ariz., won a state championship as a junior at Canyon Del Oro High School.
Rally Starters Club
The Rally Starters Club is essential to the success of UNC Softball, providing enhanced training resources, advanced technology, and competitive travel opportunities that help the Bears compete at the highest level. These investments directly enrich the student-athlete experience and ensure the team is equipped to excel on and off the field.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For the latest news and updates on Northern Colorado Softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @UNC_BearsSB, and on Facebook at /UNCBearsSB.
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"We are thrilled to welcome this talented signing class to our Bear family," Pendleton-Helm said. "They bring an exciting combination of power, speed, athleticism and depth, but what makes this group truly special is who they are beyond the field. They are outstanding students who believe in our culture and share the values at the heart of our program. We can't wait to help them grow, celebrate their successes and see the impact they will make on our team and university."
Bella Cooper, a 5-foot-3 outfielder from Manteca, Calif., was a First Team All-League and All-Section selection at Manteca High School, where she also earned Offensive Player of the Year honors. Her favorite moment in the sport came when she hit her first home run after receiving her offer from Northern Colorado.
Samantha Garcia is a 5-foot-7 middle infielder and utility player from Azusa, Calif. At Bishop Amat, she was the Del Rey League Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore, a three-time First Team All-League selection and a two-time team MVP, and she was named Rookie of the Year as a freshman. She tied her school's single-season home run record as a sophomore.
Addison Leppek, a 5-foot-8 shortstop and catcher from Lansing, Mich., was an All-Conference and Academic All-Conference selection at Haslett High School and earned her team's Offensive MVP award. She hit a grand slam on the first pitch she saw as a pinch hitter.
Noelle Kalavi is a 5-foot-10 pitcher from San Diego. She was Bonita Vista High School's Pitcher of the Year in 2026 and a First Team All-League selection in the Metro Mesa league. Her favorite moment came in the bottom of the seventh inning, when she struck out a batter with two runners on base to send Bonita Vista to the CIF Open Division championship game.
Mia Downes, a 5-foot-8 catcher and third baseman from Alpine, Calif., was named her team's top freshman, sophomore and junior athlete at Granite Hills High School and is a three-time Second Team All-League selection. She hit a grand slam in the CIF semifinals.
Jasmine Veal, a 5-foot-6 outfielder from Hawthorne, Calif., was named Rookie of the Year in 2024 and Most Valuable Player in 2025 at Da Vinci Communications, and she earned South Bay Athletic Association Pioneer League Second Team recognition in each of her first three seasons. She also won league titles in the 100 and 200 meters as a freshman.
Kenley Butler, a 5-foot-7 first baseman from Idaho Falls, Idaho, was a four-year varsity letterwinner and earned Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors in the infield at Idaho Falls High School as a junior. She was a Second Team All-Conference utility selection as a sophomore and an All-Conference Honorable Mention pick as a freshman at Thunder Ridge, where she also won a district championship and qualified for the state tournament. Her walk-off hit in the district championship game her freshman year sent Thunder Ridge to state.
Jacey Mazura, a 5-foot-3 shortstop and third baseman from Tucson, Ariz., won a state championship as a junior at Canyon Del Oro High School.
Rally Starters Club
The Rally Starters Club is essential to the success of UNC Softball, providing enhanced training resources, advanced technology, and competitive travel opportunities that help the Bears compete at the highest level. These investments directly enrich the student-athlete experience and ensure the team is equipped to excel on and off the field.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For the latest news and updates on Northern Colorado Softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @UNC_BearsSB, and on Facebook at /UNCBearsSB.
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