Nov. 25, 2003

Chicago, Ill. - The UIC softball team will have plenty of local talent for the 2005 season as suburban prep standouts Lauren Brennan and Brittany Dixon of Sandburg, Nicole Rogers and Mallory Studzinski of Lockport and Nicole Robinson of Marian Catholic have all signed National Letters on Intent to play for the Flames.

"This is a really great class," O'Malley-Fisher said of her recent crop of signees. "It's a very diverse group of athletes that are versatile enough to play several different positions for us.

"This class, though, is not just a group of great athletes and great students, but a group of great people as well."

Robinson led Marian Catholic to a record of 86-35 over the last three seasons as the starting shortstop, helping her squad to an East Suburban Catholic Conference title in each campaign and back-to-back IHSA Regional crowns. She has also been an All-ESCC honoree in each of her prep seasons. Last year, Robinson batted .293 with 19 RBI and 21 runs scored.

Studzinski, sister of Flames volleyball player Jordan, hit .256 for the Porters last season with 10 stolen bases, leading her team to a regional title.

Rogers batted .304 with 16 stolen bases in 2003. She posted a .934 fielding percentage as the Porters starting shortstop en route to All-SICA West accolades.

The Flames will now boast four Sandburg High School alums with the addition of Brennan and Dixon. They will join fellow Eagles Brittany McIntyre and Meghan Gallagher on the UIC roster.

Brennan starred as both a pitcher and hitter for Sandburg last season. She posted a 13-3 record with a team-low 0.60 ERA in the circle while batting .327 with three home runs and 26 RBI.

Dixon, who played right field for the Eagles last year, hit .316 with nine RBI and a team-high 12 stolen bases.

"Each of our signees is a quality athlete that can play many positions for us," UIC Co-head Coach Tom Gray said. "We feel like we achieved our goal of signing the best Chicago-area athletes available."