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Aug. 23, 2004
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia head softball coach Cheryl Sprangel has announced the signing of Kierstie Cameron (Pinon Hills, Calif./Serrano) and Lindsey Preuss (La Plata, Md./La Plata) to national letters of intent with Virginia during the late signing period. Cameron and Preuss increase the Cavaliers’ recruiting class to five for the 2004-2005 academic year. They join Whitney Holstun (Escondido, Calif./Escondido), Kathryn Mirras (Montauk, N.Y./East Hampton), and Karla Wilburn (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Torrey Pines), who all signed with UVa during the fall of 2003.
Cameron is a shortstop/outfielder from Pinon Hills, Calif. She was a four-year starter at shortstop for Serrano High School. She missed part of her senior season with an injury. Cameron earned All-Mojave League honors in 2002 and 2003 and was also an All-CIF and Daily Press All-Area selection in 2003. She served as co-captain of the 2004 team and earned the Coaches Award in 2002. Cameron was also the co-captain of Serrano’s basketball team in 2003 and was the recipient of the Coaches Award. Cameron plays shortstop, first base and outfield for the California Lite 18U Gold Travel Softball Team. The team finished seventh at the 2003 ASA Gold National Championship in Salem, Ore.
In 2004, Cameron was a Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee and was a 2003-2004 CIF Scholar Athlete. She was also named Serrano High School’s 2003-2004 Female Athlete of the Year. Cameron was a recipient of the United States Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award for Academic and athletic excellence in 2004. Cameron was Serrano’s Valedictorian and was ranked number one academically in her class since her freshman year. She is an AP, Golden State and Governor’s Scholar. She was also named a San Bernardino County Scholar in 2004.
“Kierstie was a great, late find for us,” said Sprangel. “We were saving a spot for a great player and we found her at the last minute. She is a great all-around athlete who could help us in the infield or outfield. Offensively, she is a consistent singles hitter with power potential. Her strongest asset is her rocket arm.”
Preuss, a shortstop/outfielder from La Plata, Md., was a four-year letterwinner and a two-year captain for the La Plata High School softball team. She was a first-team Washington Post All-Met pick at shortstop in 2004 after earning honorable mention accolades in 2003. She was named La Plata’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004 and also earned first-team All-Conference and All-County honors the same two years. Preuss was also named to the Washington Post’s first-team All-Extra Team as a shortstop. Preuss was also a three-year varsity letterwinner in basketball and captured honorable mention All-County honors as a junior.
In June, Preuss was the recipient of a U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award. She was La Plata’s Valedictorian and was a Maryland Distinguised Scholar finalist in 2003. She was named to the National Honor Roll in October 2003, which honors America’s most outstanding students. Preuss also garnered a National Merit Commendation in September of 2003.
Preuss was a member of Maryland’s Big League Softball World Championship team in 2003 and 2004. She also helped her team win the 18-Under Softball World Series Championship in August of 2003.
“Lindsey is a very strong athlete and probably one of the hardest workers I know,” said Sprangel. “As she gains some college experience she will be a great asset to the team. She has the ability to be a true utility player for us playing both infield and outfield.”