CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Tyra Perry and the Illinois softball team announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday (November 8). Avrey Steiner (Flower, Ohio), Zaria Dunlap (Charlotte, North Carolina), Abby Sagert (Prior Lake, Minnesota), Danielle Dennis (Sherman, Illinois), Sydney Sickels (Indianola, Iowa), Hannah Sasaki (Irvine, California) and Kailee Powell (Canyon Country, California) will suit up for the Orange and Blue for the 2018-19 campaign.

"The 2018 signing class is one of our most complete classes to date," said Perry. "This group of student-athletes will help solidify each position on defense and at the same time add speed and power to our offense. Above all, each 2018 signee fully embodies the character and tenacity required to be a member Fighting Illini Softball culture. I am excited to have an opportunity to continue to build our program with the 2018 class on board." 

Avrey Steiner // Fowler, Ohio // Cortland Lakeview High School // Ohio Outlaws // Second Base/Outfield // 5-3

Notes: Earned Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) All-State Division Two honors as a sophomore and a junior … Three-time First-Team All-Conference and All-County … Two-time All-District … Earned CLHS Team MVP honors after registering a .606 batting average as a freshman … Two-time WKBN Diamond King Award Winner as a junior and a sophomore … Ohio Scholar Athlete Award winner … Owned a .530 batting average as a junior and a .570 batting average as a sophomore … Also played volleyball and earned back-to-back All-District Division 2 honors as a senior and junior … Led her Beverly Bandits club team to a Premier PGF Nationals championship in California and a Triple Crown National title in Austin in 2017.

Quote: "It is great to officially be a part of the Illini family! I cannot wait to be on campus and represent The University of Illinois next fall!"

Zaria Dunlap // Charlotte, North Carolina // Providence High School // Carolina Elite // Outfielder // 5-8

Notes: Plays for the Carolina Elite club team, who has participated in the D9 Sun Classic Fall Showcase, the 2017 Champions Elite Fall Showcase and the 2017 Veteran Tribute Showcase … Registered a .406 batting average and a .486 on-base percentage to go along with 13 hits, four RBI and eight stolen bases so far in 2017 … Posted back-to-back batting averages above .400 in 2015 and 2016 playing for the Lady Lighting Gold travel team.

Quote: "It is incredible to be part of the Fighting Illini family. I am super excited to play for a great institution, play with a wonderful group of girls and for an awesome coaching staff. I cannot wait to get started."

Abby Sagert // Prior Lake, Minnesota // Prior Lake High School // Lady Lightning // Catcher // 5-11

Notes: Four-year varsity starter and two-two team captain for her Prior Lake High School team …

Two-time South Suburban All-Conference and All-Section honoree in 2016 and 2017 … Named to the All-Metro Team in 2017 and was also named Rookie of the Year as a freshman … Led her Lady Lightning club team in home runs in 2016 and RBIs in 2015 … Also lettered in marching band in 2016 and earned honor roll accolades for three-straight years at PLHS.

Quote: "Signing to the University of Illinois seems almost unreal. Continuing my academic career and joining great alumni, such as the co-founder of Tesla and the CEO of Ticketmaster, is truly amazing. I am so grateful and excited for this opportunity to continue playing the sport that I love as I move on to my next steps in life. I cannot wait to get started with the incredible coaching staff and see a Big Ten Trophy hoisted over our heads. GO ILLINI!"

Danielle Dennis // Sherman, Illinois // Williamsville High School // Hitting Center Elite // Outfield/Utility // 5-4

Notes: Three-year starter at Williamsville High School … Named the State Journal Register  Prairie Player of the Year as well as Illinois High School Association (IHSA) All-State as a junior … Two-time State Journal Register All-Area Team and Sangamo Conference First-Team honoree … Named Sangomo Conference Second-Team as a freshman as well as earning the WHS Coaches Award … Earned the Offensive Award at the All-America All-Star Game as a junior … Three-time All-Area Team honoree … led her WHS team to three-consecutive conference and regional championships … Led her Hitting Center Elite club team to a second place finish at the Triple Crown Eastern National … Earned High Honor Roll, Member of National Honor's Society and Captain's Council all throughout high school.

Quote: "Being able to play for the Fighting Illini softball team is a dream come true! It is an honor to play under such a great program and coaching staff! Go Illini! I-L-L…"

Sydney Sickels // Indianola, Iowa // Indianola High School // Iowa Premier // Pitcher // 5-11

Notes: Three-year varsity softball letter winner and academic letter winner at Indianola High School … Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) 5A Second-Team All-State as a junior and Third-Team All-State as a sophomore … Two-time IHSAA 5A West All-District Team and First-Team All-Conference Team as a sophomore and junior … Second-Team All-Conference as a freshman … Two-time Record Herald All-County as a sophomore and a junior … Three-time All-Academic Team honoree … Led all 5A pitchers with 254 strikeouts … Helped lead her HIS to a sixth place finish at State in 2016 … Helped her former club team, the Iowa Sundevils, to a runner-up finish at the ASA Northern National Championship 16u in 2016.

Quote: "I am very excited to be attending such a great University and joining the Illinois softball family. I am blessed to have been given this opportunity. I cannot wait to get on campus and start my journey as a Fighting Illini!"

Hannah Sasaki // Irvine, California // Woodbridge High School // Corona Angels // Outfield // 5-6

Notes: Three-time All-Pacific Coast League honoree for her Woodbridge High School team … Three-time Orange Country Register and Irvine City News First-Team All-City … Owned a career-high .459 batting average as a junior to go with 45 hits, 18 RBI, 35 runs and 37 stolen bases … Led all CIF Southern Section California in stolen bases with a 37-for-37 effort … Posted batting averages over .400 during her freshman and sophomore seasons, totaling 35 hits in each of her first two seasons … Helped lead the OC Batbusters, to a USSSA World Series title in 2016 and the Corona Angels to a North Cal Shootout championship in 2017.

Quote: "I am so grateful that I will be a part of the Fighting Illini! Many years of hard work and dedication have gone into making this possible. I look forward to a great four years."

Kailee Powell // Canyon Country, California // Canyon High School // SoCal Choppers // First Base // 5-8

Notes: Three-time Santa Clarita Valley Signal All-Team First-Team honoree … Four-time Santa Clarita Valley Signal All-Team Second-Team honoree … Won Offensive Player of the Year award four-straight seasons and earned Team MVP accolades following the 2017 season … Helped lead SoCal Choppers to a 2016 Colorado Sparkler championship.

Quote: "Its "electrifying"- Dean Fausett."

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