Co-head coach James Rodriguez (right) announced the addition of Samantha Alvillar and Camille Herrera to the 2011 Miner roster. (Photo courtesy of UTEP Athletics)

EL PASO, Texas – UTEP softball co-head coach James Rodriguez announced the addition of Samantha Alvillar and Camille Herrera to the 2011 Miner roster.

Alvillar, an outfielder/shortstop from Torrance, Calif., led North High School to back-to-back CIF titles in 2008 and 2009 and runner-up honors in 2010. She garnered All-CIF and all-area honors following her senior season. Alvillar was invited to the “Adidas Futures” as a junior, the event gathers the nation’s top 100 unsigned high school players.

“Samantha is an extremely talented young lady who can play multiple positions,” associate head coach James Rodriguez said. “A good athlete with speed that should be able to give us a spark on offense and defense.”

A third baseman/utility player from West Covina High School, Herrera also joins the Miners after leading the Bulldogs to consecutive league championships in 2009 and 2010. The West Covina, Calif., native was the San Antonio League Southern Section Batting Champion in 2008. Herrera was named to the All-CIF First Team the following year and was a three-time all-league first team selection.

“Camille is a wonderful talent who will fight for starting position somewhere in the infield,” Rodriguez said. “We are very excited to have this young lady join us as I am sure she will do great things for us on defense as well as at the plate.”

Herrera was part of a 12U USSSA Nationals runner-up squad and was tabbed as an “All World Player” for the tournament. She was a member of the Corona Angels that earned runner-up honors at the 14U ASA Nationals and was selected for the “On Deck Futures Elite 64 Camp”.

Alvillar and Herrera join pitchers Kayla Black, Laura Ramos and Megan Atchison as part of the 2011 UTEP softball freshman class.