ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Head Coach Melinda Nguyen has announced the first group of signees for UT Arlington's inaugural women's flag football team, marking the beginning of roster construction for the program's debut season.
 
The class features a diverse and accomplished group of young stars from across the country, bringing elite experience, versatility and high-level production to Arlington.

 ABOUT THE RECRUITS
 
 ALEXIS ELEY
 QB, 5-4
 Mesa, Ariz./Highland HS
 
 A dynamic quarterback from Mesa, Arizona, Alexis Eley joins UTA following a decorated career at Highland High School. She was named the 2024 Fiesta Bowl Player of the Year, earned AZ Cardinals All-Star honors and was a Top 10 Flag Football Player of the Year nominee. A six-time All-Conference first team selection, Eley accumulated 7,315 passing yards, 90 touchdown passes while adding 1,786 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, all while completing 77.8% of her passes, including 3,637 passing yards during the 2025-26 season at an average of 9.9 yards per pass.
 
In addition to her success on the field, Eley was a standout softball player, who earned two-time Honorable Mention All-Region honors. She plans to major in nursing at UTA.

STELLA HANG
QB/WR/S, 5-5
Portland, Maine/Cheverus HS

A versatile playmaker, Stella Hang brings championship pedigree from Maine Girls Flag Football. She was a four-time MGFF Fall season champion and added a Winter Blitz Women's Tournament title while earning a selection to the Select Bowl U20 team.
 
Hang collected numerous individual accolades, including Defensive MVP, All-American Ball Hawk Award, All-American MVP, Playmaker Award, Endzone Specialist and Top Gun honors. At Cheverus High School, she also excelled in track & field and served as a team captain, earning All-Academic recognition. She plans to study civil engineering at UTA.

ALANNA ESPIRITU
WR/S, 5-1
Ashburn, Va./Independence HS

Alanna Espiritu arrives at UTA after competing with the University of Vermont's women's club flag football team, where she also served as a student coach. A graduate of Independence High School, she played for the Loudoun Legends flag football travel team, helping lead the program to an FFL We Run the World Tournament 18U Silver finish while also earning a selection to the 18U Select Bowl. 
 
Espiritu was also additionally selected to represent the Washington Commanders at the PSFCA Big 33 Girls Flag Football Tournament, a premier 2-day event launched to showcase top female high school athletes in the region. 
 
She will pursue a degree in exercise science at UTA.

TAMIA DUDDLEY
WR/S, 5-6
Atlanta, Ga./Archer HS

Tamia Duddley joins the Mavericks from Archer High School, where she was a standout wide receiver and safety. She earned Gwinnett County second-team all-region honors, was named Wide Receiver of the Month and recognized as a scholar-athlete.
 
Duddley recorded over 30 interceptions and more than 10 touchdowns during her high school career. She plans to study biochemistry at UTA.
 
ELLA RIEBEN
QB/P, 5'6
Littleton, Colo./Columbine HS
 
Ella Rieben brings a dual-threat presence as a quarterback and punter from Columbine High School, where she was named Player of the Year. She averaged 43 yards per punt, totaling 945 yards during the 2025-26 season. At quarterback, Rieben recorded 2,439 passing yards while averaging 9.1 yards per pass and 163.6 yards per game.
 
A multi-sport athlete, Rieben also excelled in soccer, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors and a selection to the U.S Soccer National Pool.

   JOIN THE MOVEMENT
 Fans who would love to join the movement at UT Arlington can give to the UTA Women's Flag Football program by donating here!
 
 
FOLLOW ALONG
 For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, follow the women's flag football program on X (formerly Twitter) (@UTAMavsFlagFB), Instagram (@utamavsflagfb) and Facebook (/UTAMavsFlagFB).