When It Comes to College, She Plays Hardball : Preps: South Torrance three-sport standout Nicole Odom will showcase her athleticism for the UCLA softball team.

Considering that Nicole Odom is a standout volleyball, soccer and softball player for South Torrance High, choosing which sport to play in college could have been a difficult decision for the 16-year-old senior.

But Odom ended any speculation on Nov. 15 by signing a letter of intent to play softball for UCLA. The signing came a day after she did what has become a custom at South--lead a team to victory.

This time the victory was over Los Altos in the Southern Section Division III volleyball playoffs. The Spartans went on to reach the title match, losing to Torrance in three games Saturday, and have since advanced to the second round of the State Division III playoffs. Second-seeded South will play host to La Jolla at 7 Saturday night.

Odom has earned All-Pioneer League honors three times in all three sports she plays. She has been named All-Southern Section in soccer and softball.

An outside hitter, the 5-foot-9 Odom leads the South volleyball team in kills. Coach Guy Takashima said the fact that Odom is able to adjust to playing volleyball, after concentrating on softball for most of the year, says a lot about her athleticism.

“She could have played collegiately in three sports,” Takashima said.

Playing for UCLA’s softball team has been a dream of Odom’s ever since college coaches began talking to her when she was a freshman playing on an Orange County club team.

After seeing Odom’s quickness and strong arm at third base, coaches from Texas A&M; and the University of Washington sent letters expressing their interest. UCLA softball coaches began recruiting her the next year.

“When the (UCLA) coaches started talking to me two years ago, it kept me really interested,” Odom said.

During Odom’s weekend visit to UCLA, Bruin softball players and coaches attended South’s volleyball match against Los Altos. NCAA recruiting rules prohibit prospective athletes from visiting college campuses if they have a high school competition that day. The Bruins decided to keep in touch with Odom in another way.

“Before the match, the UCLA coaches came in (to the gym) and I couldn’t believe it,” Odom said. “Then, during the second game, the whole team came in their blue-and-gold jackets to cheer me on. I felt really honored.”

Odom said she has been a UCLA softball fan since the sixth grade. The Bruins are the defending NCAA champions and have won eight titles.

How will Odom contribute to the Bruin tradition?

Her coach for an Amateur Softball Assn. club team, on which she has played for the past three years, sees a bright future for Odom.

“She will be an All-American more than once,” said Gary Hanning, who has coached the Orange County Batbusters for 10 years. “Right now, she is the best 18-and-under (division) third baseman in the nation.”

Larry Lent, who coached South’s softball team the past three years, said Odom’s ability and quickness give her an edge at third base.

“If she gets a hotshot at third and makes a mistake, she can usually recover and make the play at first anyway,” Lent said. “She’s very quick and has a great basic knowledge of the game.”

The Spartan soccer team has also benefited from Odom’s talents, winning a league title and reaching a Southern Section final with her playing center-halfback.

Odom said soccer brings out her aggressive side as an athlete.

“I just believe that when I’m on the field or court that I should always give 110%,” she said.

All of Odom’s coaches marvel at her dedication.

“She has a refreshing balance,” Takashima said. “She’s able to step out of the social stereotype that goes with being female and be an aggressive, down-and-dirty player on the court.

“I really believe that Nicole can do anything she sets her mind on doing.”