RUSTON - For the second time in the past three years, Louisiana Tech has signed the Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year in softball as head coach Mark Montgomery announced the addition of Taria Page.

The East Anchorage High School prep star joins Jessica Ball (Thornton, Colorado/Western Nebraska CC), Berkley Calapp (Ft. Collins, Colorado/Fossil Ridge HS), Anna Dies (Haughton, La./Haughton HS), Preslee Gallaway (Pilot Point, Texas/Pilot Point HS), Morgan Turkoly (Sanger, Texas/Sanger HS) and Chelsea Rangel (Bossier City, La./Benton HS) in comprising this year's signing class for LA Tech.

"We have been watching Taria since her eighth grade year," Montgomery said. "At 6-foot-2, she obviously has big-time power at the plate, but she also has such quick feet. Taria played shortstop for her travel team, but I look for her to compete at the corners at Louisiana Tech. Taria's ability is off the charts and we are so excited she decided to follow Pauline Tufi and come here for her education."

Page was named the Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014 after batting .741 with 13 home runs, 44 RBI and 48 runs scored for the Thunderbirds. She led East Anchorage to the 2012 and 2013 state titles and 57 straight wins.

She is a three-time all-state and three-time all-conference selection. She has also lettered on the high school basketball and volleyball teams, earning all-state honors in those sports as well.

She is the second Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year that LA Tech has signed as she joins friend Pauline Tufi on the Lady Techster roster.

Taria Page

6-2, INF

Anchorage, Alaska (East Anchorage HS)

High School: Lettered four years for coach Paul Schoenborn at East Anchorage High School in Alaska ... Plays shortstop and third base for the Thunderbirds ... Named the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Alaska in 2014 ... Three-time first team all-conference ... Three-time first team all-state ... Led East Anchorage High School to a 24-0 record and a berth in the Large School state tournament ... Batted .741 with 13 home runs, 44 RBI and 48 runs scored ... Two-time first team all-state ... Helped East Anchorage win the 2012 and 2013 state title ... Helped the program win 57 straight games ... Plays travel ball for coach Richard Hill and the Alaska Selects ... Also lettered for the varsity volleyball and basketball teams ... Named all-state in volleyball in 2012 ... Named all-state in basketball in 2011 ... Personal: Full name is Taria Lorelie Page ... Daughter of Elizabeth and Larry Page ... Has three brothers, Eddie, Chubby and Donnell ... Has one sister, Daisy ... Born Aug. 23, 1997 in Fort Riley, Kansas.