Valparaiso bowling head coach Stephen Anthony announced today that Alyssa Alvarez, Jill Larson and Nicole Sanhamel have all signed National Letters of Intent during the current signing period and will join the Crusaders as freshmen for the 2010-2011 season.

“I am very excited about the announcement of our second recruiting class,” said Anthony.  “The addition of these three individuals, plus the previous signing of Kaity Galka, puts our program in a very good position to build on our success from the 2009-2010 season.  Their level of experience and talent certainly makes our team better and I look forward to welcoming them to a program that accomplished so much in its first year.”

Alvarez comes to Valpo from Antioch [Ill.] Community H.S., where she won the individual conference championship as a sophomore.  A former Athlete of the Month selection by the Chicago Tribune, Alvarez placed second as an individual at both the conference and sectional tournaments this year, and posted a ninth-place finish at the state tournament while helping her squad to a fourth-place team finish.

Larson is a local product, arriving at Valpo from Merrillville [Ind.] H.S.  A four-time All-Conference selection, she served three years as a team captain and helped lead her team to a pair of semi-state appearances.  As a senior, Larson earned Second Team All-Area honors from the Post-Tribune.

Sanhamel joins the Crusaders from Vernon Hills [Ill.] H.S., where she was a three-year letterwinner.  She won the Illinois  state title individually as a junior, in the process setting a state record with a high series of 791.  She also earned All-State accolades as a senior after finishing fifth at the state tournament, and was a two-time All-Conference honoree.

 “The incoming freshmen will challenge for playing time and will play a significant role by providing depth and competitive talent,” said Anthony.  “This will strengthen our program not only by making the practice time more competitive, but by also providing the team with more options in competition.  Our team has very high expectations and goals as we move forward.  The addition of our new freshmen class complements the returning players and will continue to provide the opportunity for Valpo Bowling to compete for a place at the NCAA tournament and a national title.”