Nov. 15, 2001

Champaign, Ill. - The success of Illinois softball continues to turn heads across the country. As a result, the Illini garnered another stellar group of players for the Class of 2006. The class brings another well-rounded group of athletes.

The class includes Rachelle Coriddi, a left-handed batting shortstop from Forth Worth, (Texas) Southwest High School, Jenna Hall, a left-hander power hitter and utility player from Minooka, (Ill.) High School, and Jackelyn Diekemper, a pitcher from Naperville (Ill.) North High School.

Coriddi batted .565 with 27 RBI and 48 stolen bases in 2001. She received the "Best Offensive Award" from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in 2000, along with being named an all-area selection. Coriddi earned First Team All-District and First Team All-Area for her efforts in 2001. Coriddi has been a standout since her freshman year, having been awarded First Team All-District and Second Team All-Area accolades that year. She also batted .545 for the Fear This select team over the summer.

"I felt there was a bond between us," Coriddi said of her future teammates. "They took me in and made me feel like I was a part of the team. That was homecoming weekend. By the end of the first night, I knew that I was going to Illinois."

"Rachelle is such an exciting player to add to our line-up," Illinois Head Coach Terri Sullivan said. "The first game that I ever saw her play in was 2 1/2 years ago at the ASA Nationals in Texas. I walked away saying 'I want to coach that kid.' It was evident in that game that she is an athlete who makes things happen. She had a home run, two stolen bases, a bunt for a base hit, and a diving stop of a ball in the hole at shortstop. Rachelle is going to be a fun player to watch wearing Orange and Blue."

Diekemper is an imposing 6-2 pitcher. In high school, Diekemper played golf, basketball and softball. In softball, she was a three-year unanimous All-DuPage Valley Conference selection. Diekemper is one of the top pitchers in Naperville North history, holding school records for the lowest ERA, fewest walks, and most shutouts in a season. In fact her 16 walks in a season are tied for 16th best in IHSA state history.

Diekemper ranks ninth in Illinois state history with 22 strikeouts in a game and 15th with 16 strikeouts in a game. She was named one of the Chicago Sun-Times Top 100 Players and numerous all-area accolades including Naperville Sun All-City and Daily Herald All-Area. She was named to the WASA National Tournament Team.

"The work ethic shown by the players and coaches at Illinois attracted me to their program," Diekemper said. "Coach Sullivan's energy and knowledge have me excited for the next four years."

"We feel that Jackelyn is an outstanding pitcher to add to our staff," Sullivan said. "At 6-2, she has a domineering presence on the mound. She throws hard, has a good repertoire of pitches, and great command of them. However it was really her drive to succeed and will to win that make her the pitcher she is. Jackelyn wants the ball because of that frame of mind. She thrives on challenges, and we are very excited that she will be facing future challenges as an Illini."

With Hall, Illinois will have a versatile defensive player. Hall batted .520 last season with five home runs, 12 doubles, two triples, and 29 RBI. She also had a .527 slugging percentage. As a pitcher, Hall gave up just 15 earned runs and 15 walks in 168 innings pitched for an impressive 0.62 ERA. She had 134 strikeouts, while allowing just 75 hits last year. Hall played for the Joliet Gamblers and currently plays for the Orland Park A's. Hall is a multi-All-Suburban Prairie Conference and Joliet Herald-News All-Area selection.

"I felt so comfortable around the coaches and players," Hall said. "The coaches know so much about the game and go about it in a way that totally fits to my way of play. I know I have so much to learn, and I want to become the best player I can be. And I know I can become that player at Illinois."

"Since her freshmen year in high school, I have hoped to have Jenna Hall in any offensive line-up with which I would be involved upon her graduation. Jenna is a pure hitter. She is a super athlete who makes things look effortless on the field. She is a versatile player who can pitch and play first or third base. Her tremendous attitude, her coachability and her team first mentality make her a very special player who we are proud to have joining our team."