STANFORD, Calif. – Seventh-year head coach Jessica Allister and her staff have announced the signing of five standout players to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
"We are excited to announce the addition of Sydney, Joie, Taylor, Mylia and Zoe to our program," said Allister. "This group continues to solidify our pitching staff, bolsters our offensive production and brings with them the defensive versatility to push for playing time and provide depth at a number of positions. Most importantly, this is a group of determined young women that chose Stanford in order to chase excellence off the field and compete for championships on it."
Stanford's incoming class of 2028 consists of Sydney Boulaphinh (Parker, Colo.), Joie Economides (West Covina, Calif.), Taylor Nelson (Aliso Viejo, Calif.), Mylia Perez (San Ramon, Calif.) and Zoe Prystajko (Huntington Beach, Calif.).
Sydney Boulaphinh • INF • L/R • Parker, Colo. • Rock Canyon HS
- Plays club for Top Gun 18U National
- Ranked No. 6 on Extra Inning Softball's 2024 Extra Elite 100 Players
- MaxPreps: Top 20 Players in Class of 2024
- Colorado 5A All-State Team (2021, 2022, 2023)
- Colorado 5A Continental Conference Player of the Year (2022)
- Colorado 5A All-Conference First Team (2020-2023)
- Colorado 5A First Team Academic All-State (2022-2023)
Allister on Boulaphinh: "Sydney is a dynamic infielder that brings one of the best left-handed bats in the country. Her tireless work ethic and devotion to her craft set her apart. Syd is as good of a hitter as I've seen at her age."
Joie Economides • INF • R/R • West Covina, Calif. • South Hills HS
- Plays for Wildcats Weil
- PGF All-American Futures (2023)
- Two-time All-State CIF SS (2022, 2023)
- All-Hacienda League (2021-2023)
- San Gabriel Valley Athlete (2022)
- OC Register Athlete of the Week (2022)
- Southern California Girls Athlete of the Week (2022)
Allister on Economides: "Joie has the ability to hit for tremendous power at this level. Between her explosive right handed bat and her strong defensive skills at first base we are excited for what Joie will add to the future Cardinal lineup."
Taylor Nelson • INF • R/R • Aliso Viejo, Calif. • Aliso Niguel HS
- Plays for Firecrackers Select Rico/Brashear 18U
- Ranked No. 34 on Extra Inning Softball's 2023 Extra Elite 100 Players
- Two-time First-Team All League selection (2021-22, 22-23)
- South Coast League champ in 2023-23, as well as CIF quarterfinalist
- 2020-21 Second-Team All League selection
- 2022-23 Heart and Hustle Award recipient
Allister on Nelson: "Taylor is a hard-nosed infielder that can both drive the ball and play the short game from the right side. Taylor is a fiery competitor that plays the game hard. Our fans are really going to enjoy watching her play."
Mylia Perez • INF/OF • R/R • San Ramon, Calif. • Dougherty Valley HS
- Plays for SoCal Athletics 18U - Richardson
- Dougherty Valley High School Team Captain (2022-24)
- Ranks No. 37 on West Coast Preps Bay Area Softball's Top 65 Postseason (2023)
- Third Team on West Coast Preps' All-Bay Area Softball (2023)
- Two-time All-East Bay Athleteics League First Team (2022, 2023)
- Two-time Dougherty Valley High School MVP (2022-23)
- Three-time Dougherty Valley High School Scholar Athlete (2021-23)
- Honorable Mention on All-Bay Area News Group Softball (2023)
- Nominee for Cal-Hi Sports All-State Softball Team NorCal (2023)
- Ranked No. 44 on West Coast Preps Bay Area Softball's Top 65 Preseason (2023)
- PGF Futures Watch List (2023)
- Invitee for USA Softball High Performance Program National Selection Event (2023)
- Ranked No. 84 on Extra Innings Softball's 2024 Extra Elite 100 (2022)
- OnDeck Softball's 4-Star Rating (2022)
- World Team Selection at Triple Crown Series International Challenge (2022)
- Colorado IDT All-Star Game Selection (2021)
- Three-time National Champion – MLB Pitch, Hit, & Run (2017,2018, 2021)
Allister on Perez: "Mylia is a versatile athlete who will most likely see time both on the dirt and in the grass during her four years at Stanford. Mylia brings a great combination of speed and power to the offensive side of the ball, as well as a great glove and plus arm to the defensive side. "
Zoe Prystajko • P/INF • R/L • Huntington Beach, Calif. • Huntington Beach HS
- Plays for Firecrackers Select Rico/Brashear 18U
- Ranked No. 5 on Extra Inning Softball's 2023 Extra Elite 100 Players
- OC Register Player of the Year (2023)
- Daily Pilot Softball Dream Team Player of the Year (2022)
- NFCA All-American Western Region (2023)
- Sunset League Most Valuable Pitcher (2023)
Allister on Prystajko: "Zoe is a left-handed pitcher with swing-and-miss stuff. While we initially recruited Zoe for her skill set as a pitcher she has turned herself into a formidable hitter as well. We are excited to add a lefty arm to our roster. Coach Nyberg has steadily built one of the best pitching staffs in the nation here at Stanford, and there is no doubt in my mind that Zoe will add to that legacy. "