11/14/2014 Walsh Jesuit senior Lilli Piper signs with Akron to play & softball - UA Zips -

Akron Beacon Journal • Friday, November 14, 2014

University of Akron Zips blog Walsh Jesuit senior Lilli Piper signs with Akron to play basketball & softball By MICHAEL BEAVEN Published: November 14, 2014

Lilli Piper has signed on to play basketball and softball at the University of Akron. Piper, a Norton resident and a senior at Walsh Jesuit High School, is set to join the Zips next school year. Piper, a 5-foot-10 guard, averaged 12.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game last season in basketball. She earned All-Ohio Special Mention recognition as a junior, and was also named first team all-district.

“Lilli is a phenomenal athlete with a tremendous work ethic and drive,” Zips women’s basketball coach Jodi Kest said. “She possesses great basketball IQ and an extremely versatile game that will allow her to play multiple positions.”

Piper plays shortstop in softball and is a power hitter who can hit home runs and also hit for a high batting average. Her aunt, Kay Piper, was also a two-sport athlete in softball and volleyball at Akron from 1982-85, and her number 23 is one of the softball program’s two retired numbers. “Lilli officially signed to be a basketball player, but she will be joining us after basketball season and we are thrilled about the arrangement,” Zips softball coach Julie Jones said. “She will continue the tradition of great softball players at UA with the last name Piper. Lilli is one of the best softball players in the area and brings a knack for the game that cannot be taught. She is a great hitter and is just as solid at shortstop. Playing both sports will be quite a feat, but if anyone can do it, she can.”

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