ODESSA, Texas (August 12, 2024) – UT Permian Basin Athletics has announced the hiring of alum AubreeAna Avila-Oropeza as the Falcons' new Head Softball Coach. Avila-Oropeza returns to UTPB after serving as the assistant coach at Midland College beginning in February 2021, where she focused on pitching and recruitment.

"We're excited for AubreeAna Avila-Oropeza to begin leading the UTPB Softball program," said UTPB Interim Vice President for Athletics Scott Farmer. " AubreeAna's tireless work ethic in recruiting provides Falcon Softball a huge boost. AubreeAna has a clear passion for the sport of softball and has made a positive impact within in the Odessa-Midland community. We look forward to her leadership of our softball program."

"I am very blessed to be back as a part of the Falcon family," said Avila-Oropeza. "I am eager to build this program and help mold our student-athletes into amazing young women. I wouldn't be where I am at without the support of my husband and family along with an amazing mentor, Coach Castro."

Avila-Oropeza is a product of El Paso El Dorado High School where she enjoyed a very strong career in softball.  Following her graduation, Avila-Oropeza joined the team at Paris Junior College for the 2016-2017 school year.

She then transferred to the UTPB where she played for Tiala Tagaloa. In her playing days with the Falcons, Avila-Oropeza primarily pitched and played in the outfield. In 51 games she batted .298 with 36 hits and seven stolen bases. In the circle, Avila-Oropeza recorded 16 appearances (44.1 innings) with a 3.2 earned run average. Avila-Oropeza retired after the 2018 season due to medical concerns.

Avila-Oropeza concluded, "Even though I couldn't finish my college softball career, that didn't stop my love for the game. It grew even stronger and I knew I was meant to be a coach."

Avila-Oropeza graduated from UTPB in December 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Psychology. Following her graduation from UTPB, Avila-Oropeza worked for Communities in Schools (CIS) in her native El Paso.