March 14, 2007

CHICAGO - The Loyola University women's volleyball team has signed four players to National Letters of Intent today, head coach Marcie Bomhack announced this afternoon. The class is comprised of setter Ceci Mattei (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta), outside hitter Katie Johnson (Tallahassee, Fla./Leon) and middle blockers Mal Curran (Milwaukee, Wis./Wauwautosa East) and Colleen Francis (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards). The quartet will be eligible for competition for the 2007 season.

"The four young women representing the Class of 2011 bring a lot to the court," said Bomhack. "Each of them have excelled in the classroom and on the volleyball court. This group of players will bring height at the net and a relentless attitude. We have three talented hitters and a talented setter, who also adds some versatility in the front row with her hitting capabilities. These players have all played at an elite level in high school and in club volleyball and will bring in what it takes to get us back on top of the Horizon League."

Mallory Curran
Fr. • 6-0 • MB
Wauwautosa, Wis./East

Team Captain and four year starter ... Three-time all-conference honoree, including being named Greater Metro Conference Player of the Year as a junior ... Named second team all-state as a senior after earning honorable mention honors her previous two seasons ... Twice named to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel All-Area team ... Posted 440 kills, 360 digs and 67 blocks as a senior ... Played club volleyball for the Milwaukee Sting ... Helped the Sting 15 Black team to a second-place finish at the USAV nationals and the 17 Gold squad to a fifth place finish in 2005 ... Also a two-year letterwinner in basketball.

Coach Bomhack on Curran: "The fiestiest of the group, Mallory demands a lot of herself and has the ability to make those around her thrive in pressure situations. She is a competitive volleyball and basketball player and will be a wonderful addition to our middle blocker position. She has great experiences from an elite club program and has played for a medal at the USAV Junior Olympics several times."

Colleen Francis
Fr. • 6-1 • MB
Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards

Four-time team most valuable player ... Earned honorable mention all-state honors as a junior ... Twice selected to the all-area team and was named all-conference each of her last three seasons ... Garnered all-tournament honors at the Autumnfest tournament ... Played club volleyball for Celtic Force ... Helped team to a national championship in the 15s Open division and a fifth-place finish the following season.

Coach Bomhack on Francis: "Colleen has played on several competitive teams throughout her prep career. She won a national title with Celtic Force in 2004 through the United States Junior Olympic Program. She plays at a very high level above the net and she knows what it takes to win. As the level of competition increases, Colleen's play increases."

Katie Johnson
Fr. • 6-0 • OH
Tallahassee, Fla./Leon

Selected to participate in USA Volleyball's High Performance Camp and chosen as an alternate for USA Volleyball's A-2 squad ... Team captain ... Holds school-record for career kills as well as single-season records for both kills and digs ... Picked by the Florida High School Coaches Association to participate in the Florida All-Star Game ... Wendy's High School Heisman nominee ... Named to the All-Big Bend Team by the Tallahassee Democrat ... Also lettered in basketball and softball.

Coach Bomhack on Johnson: "A player with Katie's high school experience is sure to make an impact at this level. She is used to running the show and being the `go-to' player on her high school and club teams. Her list of individual accomplishments is quite impressive, as is the performance of her teams. She has an excellent jump serve that will be a threat to anyone's passers and her attitude and work ethic are top notch."

Ceci Mattei
Fr. • 5-10 • S
Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta

Two-time all-state selection as a setter ... Member of the Puerto Rico Youth National Team ... Selected to participate in the Senior All-Star Game ... Three-time team most valuable player and all-area selection ... Also named all-North Fulton Country each of the last three years ... Already inducted into the Alpharetta High School Hall of Fame ... Played club volleyball for A5 Volleyball.

Coach Bomhack on Mattei: "Ceci has had disciplined training from A5 Volleyball Club in Atlanta and has a unique background thanks to her experience on the Puerto Rican Youth National Team. She has a fiery attitude on the court and is a fierce competitor. One of the most versatile and complete players in the class, she is able to play almost any position on the floor."