April 30, 2007

They came to the university in the fall of 2003. That year Illinois was celebrating its first group of seniors and expectations were high. That group of eight seniors had played together since they were freshman. Brittany Koester, Molly Lawhead and Kisten Martin knew their roles that year and learned from the class that helped the Illini to within one round of the Women's College World Series.

"We all became better friends because of that experience," said Martin. "We were close knit because we knew what each other was going through."

First Baseman Kisten Martin

Lawhead, a natural outfielder and pitcher in high school, has actually spent two of her final three seasons starting at second base.

"My role during my freshman year was that of a pinch hitter and pinch runner," Lawhead recalls. "I figured starting my sophomore year it was going to be outfield all the way for me. But I've wanted to play wherever I could help the team the most, so I was willing to adjust."

Second Baseman Molly Lawhead

Martin, who came to Illinois as a first baseman, is getting her chance to start in the field this year after playing three years behind All-America Jenna Hall. Despite that fact, Martin found a role over the previous seasons at designated player. She parlayed that into Third Team All-Big Ten honors in 2006 after ranking second in the league with 17 RBI during conference play, behind only teammate Angelena Mexicano.

"I knew my role coming in," Martin said. "There's probably nobody better to learn from than Jenna Hall. I tried to learn as much as I could."

This season Martin has matched last year's home run total with six while hitting a career-best .312 with nine doubles.

Koester, meanwhile, has had many roles - as bullpen catcher, as a starter, as a part-time starter and as a cheerleader.

She's the one that leads most of the cheers in the dugout, coming up with a special one before the team left for the Capital Classic -- the "Sacramento Sweep." It worked as the team went on to go 5-0.

"I don't know what my role is going to be every day," Koester joked.

Catcher Brittany Koester

But head coach Terri Sullivan says, that hasn't stopped Koester from being the heart and soul of the team. Sullivan nominated Koester for the Spirit Award for the entire athletic program.

"Brittany is the leader of all of our cheers, those during stretching, at the start of a game, in the dugout, at intense moments, or following a victory or defeat," she said. "Brittany is the heart and soul of our pitching/catching staff because of, once again, her spirit. She NEVER has an off day!!"

Sydney Lisy joins the trio in this year's senior class after transferring to Illinois from Case Western Reserve. The woman of many talents from playing the harp to bass fishing, she didn't want to give up her dream of playing Division I softball.

Designated Player Sydney Lisy

"I'm majoring in chemistry and Illinois had a great reputation," Lisy said. "I also wanted to play DI softball."

Lisy has played a significant role, joining Koester in warming up pitchers in the bullpen, and serving as the team's primary designated player this year. She hit two home runs against Indiana and has joined the Illini home run parade with six on the season.

Lawhead has started three straight seasons and ranks among the top ten on Illinois' career list in at least nine offensive categories.

All four players are natives of Illinois, something that doesn't go unnoticed from those players from California and Texas on the squad.

"Since I'm from so close, I've been asked where to go to get your car fixed," said Lawhead of nearby Monticello. "On the bus it's `Molly, how far are we away?'"

"They think of me as a farm girl," Martin said. "They always ask about the weather and think that during every storm, we're going to have a tornado. We have to assure them that it's not the case."

"The biggest thing was been to educate them on the pride and tradition of Illinois and how awesome it is to be at that university," Koester said.

Sullivan sees that first hand. "Brittany has more orange and blue clothes, pillow, hair ribbons, face paint, nail polish, socks, etc. than any Illini student-athlete or fan that I know," she said.

As the foursome embark on an end to their careers as competitive softball players, there hasn't really been time for reflection.

"I don't think it's hit me yet one way or another," Lawhead said. "I feel it's just a stepping stone in my career to what I want to do."

"I've been playing since I was eight year old," Martin said. "I played 95 games one summer. It's weird to think of it ending."