Local De La Torre on rise for UNLV

Southern Nevada prep softball players have largely struggled in Division I, but the Las Vegas High School graduate has earned a starting spot in the outfield as the Rebels prepare for their season opener Friday in the five-team Sportco Spring Kickoff Classic at Eller Media Stadium.

Unlike some local athletes who didn’t last in the program, De La Torre has the talent and hunger to thrive with the Rebels, coach Lonni Alameda said.

“Alyssia’s a tough kid,” Alameda said. “She just has a certain drive, and she’s very competitive. I remember when she came to one of our camps (as a prep player). She had a broken nose and was still out there taking ground balls. We took note of that.”

De La Torre, who went unnoticed by college scouts, said she didn’t immediately recognize that she might have the potential to play beyond high school.

“I was late contacting coaches,” said De La Torre, who helped Las Vegas win three Northeast Division titles and the 2005 Sunrise Region championship. “I contacted the (UNLV) coaches and they knew who I was. We set up a meeting … I guess they thought I had potential.”

Indeed, Alameda said she liked De La Torre’s work ethic and on-field quickness.

“She had all the tools,” Alameda said. “She was a triple threat — she could bunt, slap and hit.”

Alameda’s decision to take on a local player paid off, as De La Torre wound up playing 57 games as a freshman, including 26 starts. De La Torre said she never doubted her ability to succeed where others before her had failed.

“One reason why the Vegas kids don’t make it is because they’re home,” she said. “It’s just so easy for them to quit and go back to their houses. But I’m doing this for my mom and my family, and to make a name for myself.”

Rebels assistant Angel Santiago said there was an adjustment period for De La Torre.

“Last year I asked her a question after practice and she just started bawling,” Santiago said. “All the pressure of being a freshman coming through here just got to her. But that’s how I knew she cared about and loved the game. Now she giggles about it.”

No one is laughing about the short-handed roster De La Torre and the Rebels are facing at the moment. Four key players are out of the lineup because of serious injuries.

“Adversity is part of the game,” De La Torre said, noting that UNLV has had many injuries to pivotal players in recent seasons. “We’ve been through a lot, but I think we’re going to be fine.”

Alameda agrees, insisting her squad has a strong shot to win the Mountain West Conference. Perennial power Brigham Young was voted as the favorite by league coaches and UNLV was picked third.

League play begins April 5 at San Diego State, so the Rebels’ health situation has plenty of time to improve.

“I like the mentality of this team,” Alameda said. “The kids are fully engulfed in being UNLV softball team members.”

This weekend’s tournament at UNLV also includes Texas Tech, Arizona State, Washington and Loyola-Chicago.