Elise McCarthy signs LOI to play softball at Cal State Northridge

A name familiar to Monrovia Wildcat fans made news on Wednesday.  On national Letter of Intent signing day, Elise McCarthy, the younger sister of former Wildcat defensive tackle, Ellis, signed her LOI to play softball at Cal State Northridge.

According to the Wildcat senior the familiarity with the Northridge coaches, led by Tairia Flowers (head coach) and Natasha Watley, along with the Matador coaches’ proven track record pushed the school to the top of the list. 

When Elise began playing softball her father, Ed, took her to camps hosted by UCLA softball.  The women on the Bruins’ team at the time were none other than Tairia Flowers and Natasha Watley.  From that point on the young McCarthy strived to emulate those women, Watley in particular.  Thus when the offer came from Northridge Elise knew it was the place for her.  

Ed is very proud of his daughter and knows “that (Elise) will get excellent coaching and be in a great place in Northridge to continue her softball career.”

While this is a big day in her life Elise is focused on maintaining her A’s and B’s throughout her senior year at Monrovia High.  On the softball diamond this spring she hopes to “be a leader on the field and work to retain (her) title as MVP of the Rio Hondo League.”

As with all teenagers the eventual transition from the hometown to college will be a change for McCarthy.  She is up for the challenge though, “while I will miss the bonds I’ve formed in Monrovia with my friends and teachers, I am looking forward to meeting new people and the challenge of competing at a higher level of softball.”

She carries some sound advice from her older brother, Ellis, as she makes the transition next fall “continue to work hard and don’t ever give up no matter how much you may want to.”