GRAND FORKS, N.D. ? University of North Dakota head softball coach Sami Strinz announced today the signing of second baseman/outfielder Cami Bennett to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Fighting Sioux beginning in 2009-10.

Bennett, a Grants Pass, Ore., native, earned All-Southwest Conference second team honors in each of the past two seasons at Grants Pass High School, where she was a teammate of fellow UND recruit Lindy Sippola. Together they led Grants Pass to an Oregon 6A state championship last season.

“We are really excited to add Cami to our roster,” said Strinz. “She will bring us a tremendous amount of speed on the bases and she will add another element to our offensive arsenal as a slap hitter. I see her making an immediate impact for us in either the outfield or middle infield and I love the fact that she is used to winning.”

Said Bennett: “Not only do I get to play the sport I love and get the privilege of competing at the highest level possible, but I get to attend a first-rate school and receive my education on a great campus where the atmosphere is incredible. It's everything I've dreamed of since I was little.”

Bennett also competed in volleyball and basketball as a prep and is a member of the National Honor Society. She will graduate from Grant's Pass in 2009.

Bennett joins Sippola as UND's NLI commitments during the early national signing period.

The Fighting Sioux went 19-34 last season and set seven team hitting records, including the most home runs (67) ever hit by a North Central Conference team. It was UND's final season as a Division II program and NCC member.