For months, college coaches and staff from countless schools have been scouting for athletes to recruit for their sports programs. The schools play at a wide range of levels from the West Coast Conference (WCC) division to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Level, campus locations spanning across the nation. On Wednesday, November 13, 10 senior student-athletes at Ayala gathered with friends and family in the gym to officialize their commitment to colleges during the signing event. With sports including soccer, swim, cheer, and softball, these athletes are working hard to finish their school season as they embark on their college journey.

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Marissa Dominguez : Cal State Dominguez Hills

Ayala’s Girls Softball has been a powerhouse at producing softball talent, sending many girls to prestigious softball schools. One of these players is Marisa Dominguez, who officially signed to Cal State Dominguez Hills to continue her softball career. Playing the sport since she was four years old, Dominguez has been able to capitalize on her ability to show her talents while also having fun doing what she loves. 

“I love it, and all my teammates that have surrounded me throughout my journey. It’s been a lot of fun playing with them and getting to know them,” said Dominguez. 

Going into college, there has been a lot that Dominguez is thankful for, mostly the opportunity to play and being supported by all the teammates and coaches she’s met throughout her life. Through all of them, however, her biggest supporter has been her grandfather. 

“He has always driven me to practice, never misses a game, and always makes sure that I know that I’m loved no matter my mistakes or failures,” said Dominguez. 

[Dallas Mangold]

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Taylor Maehr : College of Idaho

Ayala Girls Soccer star, Taylor Maehr, has signed with the College of Idaho. This signing was hard fought for Maehr, as her dedication to the sport of soccer has thrived for over a decade, becoming a staple of life. 

“I always felt a drive to it, and it kind of put me in a safe space every time I went to practice and played,” said Maehr.

Going to a school out of state is a dream for Maehr, especially going to a school that allows her to feel free and continue her love for soccer. Though all her hard work has paid off, she thanks her biggest supporter, her Dad.

“My dad, because he used to play the sport, and I felt that he was like a big role model, so that pushed me to become like him,” said Maehr. 

[Dallas Mangold]

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Chloe Elizarrez : University of Ottawa

“My mom is one of my biggest supporters,” Chloe Elizarrez said. “She’s always been there for me [and] she would always come to all my practices and meets.”

Introduced to stunting during her eighth grade year, Elizarrez has been a part of Ayala’s cheer team throughout her entire high school career. During her senior year, she was appointed as varsity spirit leader where she led the team as one of the captains.

With a scholarship for cheer offered, Elizarrez decided to sign to her dream school, Arizona’s Ottawa University, where she officially committed during the signing day. With their outstanding program, which cheer for one of the best collegiate football teams and attend competitions in Daytona, Florida, at the North Central Association (NCA) level, Ottawa University easily found a place at the top in Elizarrez’s list of colleges.

Despite the hardships of competing at the collegiate level, Elizarrez looks forward to furthering her cheer career while staying relatively close to both home and her biggest supporter, her mom.

[Kaylani Hsu]

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Allie Lukaszewicz : University of Pittsburgh

Starting at the age of seven, Allie Lukaszewicz has been playing softball for a majority of her childhood, her years of experience having led her to find her specialty in pitching. After lettering onto Ayala’s girls Varsity softball team during her freshman year, Lukaszewicz continued to evolve her skills in the sport, only moving up and improving over the years. When faced with the ultimate decision of selecting the college Lukaszewicz would commit to, she came to a decision that would best benefit her both academically and athletically.

During fall of 2023, Lukaszewicz announced her commitment to the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania where she will be wearing #4 as a Pitcher for the Panthers. The officially signing on Wednesday marked the final confirmation of Lukaszewicz’s commitment as she signed accompanied by her family and parents: her greatest supporters throughout her softball career

“I’m looking forward to the new environment and the new scenery, along with playing at the collegiate level,” Lukaszewicz said.

[Kaylani Hsu]

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Taelor Walker (12): Loyola Marymount University

For many athletes, the journey to college recruitment is filled with hard work and determination. One of these talented athletes, Taelor Walker, has been honing her skills for years, in the sport. After making the Varsity softball team at Ayala High School, she continued to grow, showcasing her talent and determination. Walker recently announced her commitment to Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where she will continue her athletic career while also pursuing her academic goals. Walker’s decision to join LMU was influenced by the school’s vibrant campus and culture. 

“The biggest reason I picked this school is because of the campus and the culture when I’m there. I love the environment,” Walker said. 

With a bright future ahead, Walker is ready to make her mark at LMU and continue building on her passion for the game.

[Danviga Karthik]

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Zoey Hipolito : East Texas A&M University

Zoey Hipolito, a talented athlete, has officially signed to play softball at East Texas A&M University. Having been playing the sport since she was around four years old, Hipolito is thrilled to continue her athletic journey at the collegiate level. When asked about her college recruitment, Hipolito shared that East Texas A&M wasn’t her first choice, but it felt like the right opportunity. 

“It kinda came to me. I feel like God gave it to me that way,” Hipolito said.

The distance from home was initially a concern, as she worried about being far from her family. However, this challenge became a part of the excitement for her future. As she continues onto her college career, Hipolito is most excited to make new friends and grow both as an athlete and as a person. With her hard work and dedication, she is ready to face the challenges that await her at East Texas A&M, and her journey is just beginning. 

[Danviga Karthik]

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McKenzy Becerra : Southern Utah University

One of the athletes to participate in Ayala’s Signing Day was McKenzy Becerra. Becerra signed to and committed to Southern Utah University (SUU) and plans to play softball there. She was instantly attracted to SUU since she first started looking for University options. 

“[It was my first choice] because the atmosphere and the coaches were very homey and it just felt like home,” Becerra said.

Softball has been a very important part of Becerra’s life, as she has been playing it since she was four years old. 

This year, Becerra not only participated in her regular sport of softball, but she also participated in flag football. Now that the flag football season is over, Becerra is going to focus on softball and all that she hopes to accomplish before she graduates. 

[Marijose Rodriguez]

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Nicole Chandler : Pace University

Another athlete that participated at the signing day was Nicole Chandler. Chandler decided to commit to Pace University. Pace was Chandler’s first choice for University as it had many interesting aspects and benefits that could help her have a more exciting experience. 

“It was in a nice city and it’s a good academic school,” Chandler said. 

Chandler has been playing softball since she was four years old, and it has been a huge part of her life. Chandler plans to continue to participate in and play softball throughout her time in University. Chandler also plans on studying in the medical field and becoming a nurse and an ethicist. 

To others hopeful of pursuing softball in their future, Nicole Chandler advises them to continue in their path and to strive for the best. 

“Just work hard and never give up,” Chandler said. 

[Marijose Rodriguez]

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Riley Ogilvie : Cleveland State University

All throughout the process of growing up, many try out different sports and find one that resonates with them. For others, they find their passion early on and stick with it all throughout their school years. However, once they reach high school, the question comes if they want to pursue the sport even further and take it to the next level through college. 

For Riley Ogilvie, she found her calling through swimming and now she will be competing at the collegiate level in the years to come. This year she committed to Cleveland State in Ohio soon after receiving the offer. 

“I was pretty excited because the school made me a higher offer because they saw my potential and I knew that was the school I wanted to go to,” Ogilvie said.

[Aniya Grant]

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Daniel Benson : California Baptist University

Playing a sport is all about committing yourself to the sport as well as the team. Daniel Benson has mastered this principle and has been practicing it for years. He not only plays for high school, but club as well. Now, he is taking the next step and will be competing for California Baptist University in the following year after receiving an offer to play. Similar to many collegiate athletes, he has a stellar work ethic and this is only one of many exciting steps towards his future.

“Clubs are a lot more focused on getting fast and high school is more of a team aspect, so I’m looking forward to that blend,” Benson said.

[Aniya Grant]

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Congratulations to the Bulldogs who have signed. We wish all the athletes the best on their future journey through college and athletics.