Members of the Illinois softball team are writing a blog, which will be published throughout the 2017-18 school year. Follow all the action of Head coach Tyra Perry's squad right here on FIGHTINGILLINI.com.

Hello Illini softball fans!

My name is Shelby Stauffenberg and I am a freshman catcher from Kankakee, Illinois, majoring in agri-accounting.

I have grown up around this sport all my life. My brother Jacob was a pitcher for SIUE where he got his BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) and my sister Jenna is currently a senior catcher at Valparaiso University working on her BSN. My mom is a nurse and my dad is CEO of a local trucking company and is a farmer. I guess that explains our career choices.

My story goes like this…work hard and play sports! Hard work pays off! I knew from early on softball was my favorite and set my sights high for the Orange and Blue.

As a rookie for Illini softball, one of my favorite thing so far is getting to know all of my teammates. They have all been so friendly and very welcoming. They have made us freshman feel like sisters, like family. For the past three weeks, I have really relied on them to help me get through the day. They never make me feel like I am not part of the team, no matter how dumb of a question or if I do something wrong, they are the first ones to make sure that I know the right answer or do the drill right next time. So for all my teammates out there, thank you for everything that you have done and will keep doing!

To wrap it up…we are conditioning, lifting and practicing hard in preparation of our fall season! I really enjoy the atmosphere that we bring to team practice, always communicating and getting after it. Off the field we have shown our support to our Illinois volleyball team. It was HOT for Stuff Huff, but they are really good and fun to watch. And I am sure you know, our football team has won their first two games that I was lucky enough to attend and cheer them on.

As September comes to an end, we start our fall schedule - and lucky for you guys - we play them all at home! Please come out and support the Fighting Illini softball team.

I-L-L-I-N-I

Shelby Stauffenberg