By Hannah Barnett | UTAMavs.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington softball welcomes four freshmen to its program, all recruited from the same select team. The newcomers played together for the Texas Blaze organization for four years.  

Kayla Donaldson is one of the four pitchers on the roster this season and said these relationships have made a positive impact.

"After playing together for so long, it has made all of us really close friends and has made the transition into UTA a lot easier for us," Donaldson said. "We know that we have three other girls there for us when we need them."

Donaldson graduated from Lorena High School where she was named to the 3A All-State team her junior and senior year. She also received District MVP, Defensive MVP and helped lead her team to two district championships.

"We know each other extremely well, both on the field and off," Simmonds said. "Everyone is different; everyone needs different kinds of encouragement. Both come in handy in situations like this."

When playing for the same select team, the newcomers spent numerous weekends together in and out of state. This time not only strengthened their bonds as athletes, but their friendships as well.

"My favorite memory was playing in California and hanging out on the beach with everyone. It was like a vacation for us," Simmonds said.  

In addition to playing for Texas Blaze, Haley Henson played with Simmonds at Round Rock. During her four years, she received Defensive MVP, Offensive MVP, First Team All-District and was named Central Texas High School All Star Game MVP in 2014. 

"It was cool playing with someone I knew well in High School and select," Henson said. "I knew what kind of pitcher she was so it helped me as a fielder to be able to expect where batters were going to hit the ball."

Jade Jameson, an offensive MVP and First-Team All-District utility player from Pflugerville High School, said it has been comforting having these friendships as support. 

"Their friendships mean everything to me," Jameson said. "They are always there for me and we can always count on each other. If one of us is down, we all know what to do to pick the other one up."

The UT Arlington softball season begins on Feb. 6 at the 2015 Lion Classic I hosted by Southeastern Louisiana. UTA will open the newly-reconstructed Allan Saxe Field on Feb. 12 vs. Incarnate Word at 7 p.m. Ticket information will be released at a later date.