EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team announced that 5'11” outside hitter Lauren DeShaney (Appleton, Wisconsin) and 5'11” middle blocker Ashley Rakers (Aviston, Illinois) have signed national letters of intent to compete for Head Coach Leah Mercer's Screaming Eagles in 2011.

DeShaney is currently a senior at Xavier High School (Appleton) where she has earned varsity letters in basketball and volleyball.

As a junior in 2009, DeShaney led XHS to the championship match of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division II State Tournament. A three-time All-State, All-Conference, and All-Area performer, DeShaney was named the Eastern Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010.

DeShaney, who has competed for the Fox Cities Elite Club team the last three seasons, finished her senior season at XHS by amassing four kills, a .300 attacking percentage, and nearly two digs per set.

Rakers is currently completing her senior year at Mater Dei High School (Breese, Illinois) where she was a member of the 2010 IHSA Class 3A state championship team. Rakers had eight kills, a .636 attacking percentage, and four blocks in the state championship match as MDHS ended Joliet Catholic High School's quest for a third straight state title.

In 2010, Rakers recorded 1.28 kills and 2.00 blocks per set to lead MDHS to a 41-1 overall record. Her efforts landed her on The News-Gazette All-State Honorable Mention 100 team and earned her Volleyball Player of the Week honors by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in November.

A member of the Clinton County Crush Club team that qualified for nationals in 2010, Rakers also plays basketball and softball. She earned honorable mention All-State honors in basketball and has led MDHS in rebounding the last two seasons.

“I am excited to add Lauren and Ashley to our 2011 roster,” Mercer said. “Both of them will add depth to our roster and I expect both to make an immediate impact on our team.

“Ashley's presence at the net can take our defense to new levels,” Mercer continued. “Lauren hits the ball extremely hard and will give us a strong offensive weapon on the outside.”

USI finished the season with an 18-12 overall mark and a 10-4 record in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. After finishing third in the GLVC standings, the Eagles qualified for the NCAA II Midwest Region Tournament for the first time since 2004 and the third time in the program's history.