STATE COLLEGE, Pa., May 1, 2001 - Penn State head field hockey coach Charlene Morett has announced the signing of six recruits for the 2001 campaign. Amanda Eckert, Karin Grap, Bekah Hostetler, Kelly Kulina, Michelle Rigby and Jen Sawicki will join the field hockey team beginning in the fall. Four of the signees hail from the state of Pennsylvania.

Eckert comes to Penn State from Lititz, Pa. She played an integral role in leading Warwick High to two state championship titles in 1999 and 2000. Named first team all-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, she has experienced success at many levels of play, including the junior Olympics and the Keystone State Games. Eckert is also a two-time all-Pennsylvania pick.

A member of the United States Under 18 squad, Grap hails from Van Etten, N.Y. She is a second team high school all-American and was also named to the all-North Region team by the NFHCA.

Hostetler is no stranger to Penn State athletics. Coming from a long line of Nittany Lions, her father, Ron, lettered in football for the Lions from 1975-77 and is the niece of former NFL quarterback Jeff who began his collegiate career in State College before transferring to the University of West Virginia. Hailing from Hershey, Pa., Bekah is a standout in her own right, helping Hershey High to the state semi-finals in 1999 as a forward. A 2000 first team all-state selection, she scored 56 goals and had 40 assists in her three varsity seasons with the Trojans.

Kelly Kulina joins her sister Kiley on the Lady Lion squad next season. A key player at Lower Dauphin High, she posted 28 goals and 33 assists in her scholastic career. The Falcons were the district 3AAA runners-up last year and earned a berth into the state quarterfinals. The forward was also named to the all-Mideast regional team at the end of last season.

Rigby is a very athletic and versatile player from Dover. Del. A first team all-Delaware State selection, she will graduate from Caesar Rodney High School in June.

Also from the Keystone State is Sawicki. The Crestwood native tallied 51 goals and 22 assists during her career at Crestwood High. She helped her team to a 13-2-2 overall record, en route to second-team all-state honors.

The Lady Lions finished second in the Big Ten last year with a record of 17-6 and 5-1 in the league. Penn State advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Princeton, 4-2. The Lions have been to the postseason tournament for 19-consecutive seasons.