Alicia Loucks Class: Senior Hometown: Herrin, Ill. Last College: Rend Lake C.C. Height: 5-4 Position: Catcher Birthdate: 08/20/1981 Bats/Throws: R/R

2002: Played in 20 games, staring 13 as a backup for All-OVC catcher Jennifer Cobin … made a splash by hitting a homerun against Southern Illinois (3.5) in her first at-bat as an Otahkian … was 2-3 at the plate against Eastern Illinois (4.9) … was 1-1 with a double against Austin Peay (4.6) … committed only one error behind the plate all season and threw out 54% of the runners that tried to steal against her.

Junior College: Attended Rend Lake Community College … last season hit .300 while playing solid at the catcher position.

Prep: Attended Herrin High … played catcher for coach Bruce Jilek … four-year starter, three-time all-conference, two-time All-South conference first-team … team captain … team went to state tournament during junior season … also participated in volleyball and was a cheerleader … captain of the volleyball team and co-captain of cheerleading squad that finished 12th in the nation as a team.

Personal: Born 8-20-81 … daughter of David and Debra Loucks … majoring in elementary education … also recruited by Middle Tennessee and Austin Peay … in high school, graduated with honors and was named to ‘Who’s Who Among American High School Students’ … summer ASA team, which included former Otahkians Renee Enos and Michelle Frank, won the National Championship this past summer … would be a lawyer if she could pursue any profession … three-former teammates, Meredith Ramsey and Kendra Kosco (UT-Martin) and Carisa Winters (Southern Illinois) are also playing Division I softball … favorite professional athlete is Mets catcher Mike Piazza.

Richmond says: “We will rely on her experience behind the plate to direct a young pitching staff. Alicia has caught the majority of our staff, she knows the conference hitters, and this experience will help us.”