The Mercyhurst College Softball team completes its 2011-2012 recruiting season by welcoming five scholar-athletes to the Mercyhurst softball team.  These five well-rounded student-athletes have very bright futures ahead, both academically and athletically as each of them possesses immeasurable drive and talent.  We truly hope each of them is just as excited to be a part of Mercyhurst as we are to have them.  We cannot wait to watch their careers and successes unfold.
              
Mercyhurst softball first welcomes Oswego, N.Y. native, Allison Yule.  Allison is currently in her senior year at Oswego High school where she has thrived academically and athletically.  She has been a member of the Oswego varsity softball team since her freshman year while being a member of the National Honor society 2010-present.  She has been named All League in 2009, 2010, and 2011, helping her team to League Championships in 2010 and 2011.  Allie also participates in Hockey and Karate.  She is a utility player.
             
Taylor Jezuit is a Catcher/Utility from Orchard Park High School in Orchard Park, N.Y.  She is a standout student and athlete.  Taylor was the starting catcher for her high school team in both her sophomore and junior seasons and also served as a captain her junior year.  In 2011, she led her team in batting average, on base percentage and steals.  Taylor also runs cross country and is a member of the National Honor Society and the National French Honor Society.
            
Also from the Buffalo area is Kayla Larson.  Kayla attends Mount Mercy Academy and hails from Angola, N.Y.  She is a middle infielder who lettered in her sophomore and junior years.  She was awarded the coaches award her freshmen year and was named First Team All Catholic her junior year.  As a captain in 2011 she helped lead her team to a Conference Championship and to a second place finish in the New York State Catholic Athletic Softball League.  Kayla also is a member of the National Honor Society and intends on majoring in Biology.

Joining the Mercyhurst softball family from Broad Channel, N.Y. is Shannon Minihane.  Shannon has served as a captain for her Mary Louis Academy softball team since she was a sophomore.  She has been named to the All City and All Queens Teams as both a sophomore and a junior.  Shannon serves as the starting third baseman for her high school team where she was named Offensive Player of the Year for 2011.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and plans on majoring in Sports Medicine.
          
Courtney Brothers is a middle infielder from Milan, Mich. where she attends Blissfield High School.  She has been named first team All-Conference, All-District, All-County, All-Region and second team All-State.  She has been named her team's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.  Courtney also plays volleyball in high school and is a scholar athlete award winner.  She will major in education at Mercyhurst.