TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State Softball team was well represented this summer in the 2017 World Softball Classic as sophomores Alyssa Loza and Giselle Juarez both competed for their respective junior national teams.
Loza and team Mexico started their summer with a game against the US Junior Women's National Team (JWNT), before heading to Oklahoma City to compete in the 2017 Softball World Cup.
"Our team played very well games against the top teams in the world," Loza said of Mexico's showing in the World Cup. "Although we didn't win many of the games, our team got better by the tournament's end. The games we played in Oklahoma prepared us for a better showing in the Canada Cup."
In the Canada Cup, Team Mexico fought through the consolation bracket to earn a 9th place finish at the event. "This past summer has been an absolute blast and I am looking forward to representing Team Mexico in the summers to come," Loza added.
Juarez, earned her spot with the US JWNT and enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with a team that fought through to win the Softball World Cup with a 13-4 win over top-seeded Japan.
"The best part of this past summer was laughing and playing with a great group of young women," Juarez said of her experience with Team USA. "Sharing this journey with them has made me a better person. Playing against Japan to reach the Gold medal game will be something I will never forget."
While staking up positive results with their respective teams was great, both players admit that the opportunity to compete on the national level was much more valuable in terms of growing as players.
"This past summer's experience has meant the world to me," said Loza. "Being able to represent my grandparents' and parents' home country and compete at the international level of the sport that has been my life, has always been one of my dreams and goals that I have set for myself since I was a little girl. I grew so much as a player and as a person and I also learned different techniques to elevate my game. The thing that I will cherish the most will be the relationships that I made with my fellow teammates."
Juarez echoed some of the same sentiments of playing with the US team, adding, "the best lesson I can take back to ASU is to take pride in the opportunity you have. The opportunity to represent my country has filled me with pride that I have to always be my very best. To be my very best in practice and in the classroom."
With a successful summer behind them, both Loza and Juarez began their sophomore years last week and are hungry to get back on the diamond to compete in the sport that they love.
Loza and team Mexico started their summer with a game against the US Junior Women's National Team (JWNT), before heading to Oklahoma City to compete in the 2017 Softball World Cup.
"Our team played very well games against the top teams in the world," Loza said of Mexico's showing in the World Cup. "Although we didn't win many of the games, our team got better by the tournament's end. The games we played in Oklahoma prepared us for a better showing in the Canada Cup."
And best of luck to @alyssa_loza with with the Junior Mexican National team!! Looking good out there ??#Forksup pic.twitter.com/kj7rRiaXWa
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) July 25, 2017
In the Canada Cup, Team Mexico fought through the consolation bracket to earn a 9th place finish at the event. "This past summer has been an absolute blast and I am looking forward to representing Team Mexico in the summers to come," Loza added.
Juarez, earned her spot with the US JWNT and enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with a team that fought through to win the Softball World Cup with a 13-4 win over top-seeded Japan.
"The best part of this past summer was laughing and playing with a great group of young women," Juarez said of her experience with Team USA. "Sharing this journey with them has made me a better person. Playing against Japan to reach the Gold medal game will be something I will never forget."
While staking up positive results with their respective teams was great, both players admit that the opportunity to compete on the national level was much more valuable in terms of growing as players.
"This past summer's experience has meant the world to me," said Loza. "Being able to represent my grandparents' and parents' home country and compete at the international level of the sport that has been my life, has always been one of my dreams and goals that I have set for myself since I was a little girl. I grew so much as a player and as a person and I also learned different techniques to elevate my game. The thing that I will cherish the most will be the relationships that I made with my fellow teammates."
ICYMI: Sun Devils help lead Junior Women's National Team to gold medal at World Championship; https://t.co/aalErqd2O9
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) August 3, 2017
Juarez echoed some of the same sentiments of playing with the US team, adding, "the best lesson I can take back to ASU is to take pride in the opportunity you have. The opportunity to represent my country has filled me with pride that I have to always be my very best. To be my very best in practice and in the classroom."
With a successful summer behind them, both Loza and Juarez began their sophomore years last week and are hungry to get back on the diamond to compete in the sport that they love.