Senior and Mission Viejo Native Tayler Ybarra started 16 of 18 games last season as catcher.

Why CSUSM: “I chose CSUSM because it’s a great school and it’s close to home. I love the girls here. I love playing softball and school is really important [to me].”

Goals: “To win conference and to stay consistent as a team. Personal goal: to finish my last year strong.”

Junior Amanda Horbasch transferred from Cosumnes River College, where she was a team captain for the Hawks and received All Big 8 Conference 2nd Team Honors.

Why CSUSM: “I’m from Northern California, so it was nice to get far away. I love the coaches, I love the school. Big part is to get a degree and [CSUSM] has a great program for kinesiology.”

Goals: “Do the best we can in conference, represent that we’re here to kick butt.”

Senior Breanna Stiles has spent all four years of her collegiate career with the Cougars. Last season she appeared in 19 games most often in the role of pinch runner.

Why CSUSM: “I chose this school because of its proximity to the beach. The coaches were really persuasive when I came here and the girls are amazing.”

Goals: “Team wise, take conference, but I want the team to go balls-out this year without a postseason.”

In 2015, Senior Brogan Hoenisch started every game at first base. Hoenisch recorded the longest hitting streak of any Cougar with a 13-game hot streak last February.

Why CSUSM: “For me, it was because of the coaches…[and] on my visit I clicked with a lot of the girls….[I like] the area and the atmosphere the school is in.”

Goals: “To win conference, because we don’t have [the] opportunity to go to the postseason. Personally, as a senior, I want to finish my last season as my best season.”

Senior Robyn Alvara enters her second season with the Cougars as utility. Last season she was named All-Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I) Second Team and scored 20 runs.

Why CSUSM: “On my visit, it was really pretty. [The] beach is 20 minutes away, and it’s a good group of girls. Really nice coaches and I look great in blue! Positive vibe environment.”

Goals: “Since we can’t qualify for championships or go to nationals, just to win conference. And to be a strong force in Division II.”

Senior Caylyn Rodriguez started 46 games as a center fielder last season

Why CSUSM: “I was on a travel ball team with two other girls who were committed to coming to CSUSM to play on the team so that was a huge influence…The coach made me feel very welcomed and already a part of the program before I even committed to being a Cougar.”

Goals: “My goals for this season is to just have fun…. I just want to give back to the younger girls on our team and do anything I can to make their college career as great as mine was.

Oceanside native Olive Naotala transferred to CSUSM from Howard College.

Why CSUSM: “My cousin Naomi Amu came here last year…she loved the program and coaches, and how the coaches worked with her being a mother and full-time student athlete. I am a mother to two toddlers, and I was extremely grateful to get the chance to play softball competitively and with understanding coaches. “

Goals: “My goals this season is to get better everyday. Get better on the softball field, as well as being an even better student in the classroom.”