Feb. 18, 2004

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina women's soccer head coach Debbie Hensley announced today that eight student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Catamount soccer program next fall. They include Lauren Atkinson (Marietta, Ga.), Melissa Berry (Matthews, N.C.), Bailey Culp (Richmond, Va.), Leah Daino (Statesville, N.C.), Heather Dittmer (Marietta, Ga.), Megan Harris (Marietta, Ga.), Jamie Hopkins (Raleigh, N.C.) and Rebekah Mumm (Asheville, N.C.).

"These young women will be looked upon to make an immediate impact in getting us back near the top of the conference," said the sixth year leader of the Catamount program. "I am happy with the versatility of this group. I am also happy that we were able to attract some extremely high level athletes. But most of all, these young women are well rounded individuals of high character who will only add to what we are trying to do at Western Carolina."

Atkinson, a midfielder/forward, was the 2003 MVP of the Metro North Youth Soccer Association and MVP of the Metro North Navy club team for coach Kris Lippert. She served as a captain of her Blessed Trinity Catholic H.S. team as a junior and senior. Atkinson is a former all-county selection for coaches Megan Ryan and Stori Shaw. She additionally played as a key reserve for the varsity basketball team. She is the daughter of Patricia Atkinson.

Berry, a defender, is a two-time all-region pick out of Weddington H.S. for coaches Eddie Marquez and Chris Roegiers. She helped lead Charlotte United Gold club team to the state cup semifinals in 2002 as a captain for coach Vic Johnson. She was also member of North Carolina Olympic Development Program. A torn ACL kept her out of action last fall, but Berry will come to Cullowhee as a dual sport athlete at WCU as she finished third in the long jump and fifth in the 100m and 200m events at the 2003 North Carolina State Track and Field Championships. She was named the 2003 conference runner of the year and 2001 Weddington H.S. female athlete of the year. She is the daughter of Beverly and Rick Berry.

Culp, a defender, started in central defense for the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Fla., while attending The Pendleton School. Upon graduation, she will have attended the residential academy for the last year and a half playing for coach Derek Leader. Culp was a two-time all-academic selection as a freshman and sophomore at Douglas Freeman H.S. in Richmond, Va. She additionally played for the Richmond Strikers under coach Emilio Peiro prior to IMG enrollment. Culp has been a member of her school's BETA club, French club and participated in the Foreign Language Immersion Program. She is the daughter of Pamela and Terry Culp.

Daino, a midfielder, is a three-time all-region, all-conference and all-county selection for Statesville H. S. She played club ball for the Charlotte United Gold under coach Vic Johnson with Catamount classmate Melissa Berry. Daino finished as the second-leading scorer during the team's 2003 state semifinal campaign. She is the daughter of Darlene and Randy Daino.

Dittmer, a midfielder, served as a captain of her Walton H.S. team for coach Bruce Wade. She also played under coach Sharon Loughran at Walton with current Catamounts Brittany Bennefield and Casey Davis. Dittmer was also a team captain of the GSA Phoenix Red club team under coach Ted Colburn and was a member of the Georgia Olympic Development Program. She is additionally a member of the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Dawn and Mario Dittmer.

Harris, a midfielder, played club soccer for the Metro North Navy under Coach Kris Lippert with fellow Catamount signee Lauren Atkinson. Prior to that, she helped lead the United Quest Red club team to three Georgia State Championships. Harris is a four-year varsity athlete and has started every year in her career thus far. She is soon to be senior captain for coach Nate Fisher at Lassiter H.S., and was named her team's "Best Defensive Player" in 2001-02. She is the daughter of Linda and Ken Harris.

Hopkins, a forward/midfielder, led Cardinal Gibbons H.S. to a runner-up finish at the 2003 state tournament under coaches Michelle Miller and Jode Ritsema. She led her team in assists as a junior and was a former high school teammate of current Catamounts Marie Nicolini and Natalie Turgeon. Hopkins will captain her high school team during its 2004 campaign. To add to her resume, she led the CASL Spartan Elite club team to the 2004 State Championship under coach Pano Paschaloudis and will compete at Regionals this summer. She is the daughter of Debbie and Jim Hopkins.

Mumm, a midfielder/defender, was an all-region selection as a junior at A.C. Reynolds H.S. for coach Patrick Gladys. The two-time all-conference pick will captain her team as a senior. She also captained the HFC Fusion club team for coaches Heather Welker and Elliot Perkins. Mumm is a member of the National Honor Society, FBLA, Who's Who Among American High School Students and the U.S. Achievement Academy. She is the daughter of Richard Mumm and Viola Guenin.

Western Carolina is slated to begin play in a brand new lighted facility next fall. The new field is part of a Catamount Sports Complex, which will also house the WCU tennis and track and field teams. The grandstands facing the soccer field/track will accommodate 1,000 fans and the facility will allow Western to host Southern Conference and high school championships for the first time.