CHICAGO – The UIC softball team has announced the signing of five freshmen on National Signing Day for the 2028 season.
Ella Arana,
Lilly Carver,
Gianna Furlano,
Isla Kapellas, and
Laila Darden are set to join the Flames in the Fall of 2027
Ella Arana | Outfielder | Crystal Lake, Ill. | Crystal Lake Central High School
As a four-year outfielder at Crystal Lake Central, Arana has earned two All-Conference honors, All-Area First Team honors, All-State Third Team honors, All-State Second Team honors, and All-Area Second Team honors. A 2025 Regional champion, she holds the school record for most doubles in a season. Arana has led her team in batting average, on-base percentage, and stolen bases.
Coronado on Arana
"When we talk about the combination of power and speed, we're talking about Ella Arana. Ella is quiet but fierce, and she brings the type of athleticism that can make her a staple in the lineup while covering serious ground in the outfield. Her numbers in the weight room are impressive, and that strength translates directly to what she can do on the softball field. We are excited to see Ella in a Flames jersey and know she will represent UIC with pride, both on and off the field!"
Lilly Carver | Shortstop/Utility | Lombard, Ill. | Glenbard East High School
A shortstop/utility player at Glenbard East, Carver has earned All-Conference, All-State, and All-Area honors. She holds the record in home runs and stolen bases. Carver has led her team in home runs, RBIs, hits, doubles, and stolen bases.
Coronado on Carver
"Lilly is a workhorse, plain and simple. She brings a level of strength and determination that can make an immediate impact on our program, both in the weight room and in the batter's box. What excites me most about Lilly is the growth we've already seen in her game. She continues to raise the standard for herself and isn't afraid to put in the work to get better. We know when she arrives on campus, she will be ready to go full speed and bring those around her along for the ride. That's exactly the type of athlete we want wearing a Flames jersey!"
Gianna Furlano | Pitcher | Bloomingdale, Ill. | Lake Park High School
A pitcher at Lake Park, Furlano is a one-time regional champion and has earned All-Conference honors twice. She holds the school record in strikeouts (445) and is second in innings pitched (366) and wins (38). Her freshman year, she recorded a 1.60 ERA before posting a 1.74 ERA her sophomore year, which ranked as her best in Lake Park history since the 43-foot era. Furlano led her team in strikeouts, most innings, and most wins on the team.
Coronado on Furlano
"Gianna is the type of competitive pitcher every coach wants on their team. G wants the ball in pressure situations, and we can't wait to see what she brings to Flames Field. What makes her special is that she doesn't just compete for her teammates she makes everyone around her better. She is already one of their biggest supporters, and that speaks volumes about the type of teammate and competitor she is. We are excited to have her in our program!"
Isla Kapellas | Pitcher/Utility | Skokie, Ill. | Niles North High School
A pitcher/utility player at Niles North, Kapellas is a three-time All-Conference honoree. Additional accolades include 2026 IHSA Second Team All-State, two-time Team MVP, AP Scholar Award, and AP Scholar Award with Distinction. In her freshman and sophomore seasons, she led her team in innings pitched, strikeouts, and ERA. In her junior year, Kapellas led in innings pitched, strikeouts, batting average, hits, RBIs, doubles, and home runs.
Coronado on Kapellas
"We are so excited to welcome Isla to our pitching staff! Not only does she bring a unique combination of movement and versatility to the circle, but she is also going to fit seamlessly into the culture we are building. Her work ethic, both on and off the field, is contagious. I know Isla is already putting in the work and preparing as though she is wearing a Flames jersey. We can't wait to see her compete for UIC!"
Laila Darden | Shortstop | McEwen, Tenn. | McEwen High School
A four-year shortstop for McEwen, Darden is a two-time district champion, a two-time region champion, a two-time substate champion, and has made two state appearances. She has received District II AAA All-District honors, Region 6 AAA All-Region honors, has been named to the District 12 All-Tournament team in 2025, has earned Region 6 A All-Region honors twice, and received 2026 TSSCA All-State honors. Darden, a multi-sport athlete, will also be signing with the UIC women's basketball team for the 2027-2028 season.
Coronado on Darden
"It's rare to come across a dual-sport athlete who can truly compete at a high level in both sports, and Laila is exactly that. She is a one-of-a-kind competitor, and I can't wait to see her represent UIC both on the court and on the field. Every coach looks for an athlete who is willing to put in the work, embrace the grind, and produce when it matters most. Laila embodies all of those qualities. From a culture standpoint, I believe she is going to elevate not only our softball program but the UIC community as a whole."
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