JACKSON TWP — Two years ago, the University of Connecticut wasn't even on Dana Hughes' radar.

It now has her full attention.

Hughes, a senior shortstop for the Seneca Valley softball team, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to attend the Division I school on a full scholarship.

A couple of years ago, Hughes sent a letter to over 40 colleges, letting them know who she was and that she hoped to play collegiate softball.

"UConn wasn't one of those schools," said Hughes. "But last summer, I received an e-mail from (Huskies' head coach Karen Mullins) about possibly playing there.

"I took an unofficial visit to the campus last summer," said Hughes. "Connecticut is a beautiful state to begin with and I'm an outdoors type of person, so it fits me well."

Hughes chose UConn over a plethora of other interested schools, which included Ohio State, Rutgers, Virginia, Monmouth and Miami (Ohio).

A resident of Cranberry Township who will turn 18 in late March, Hughes also played outside hitter for SV's girls volleyball team that won its section and reached the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals this fall.

She has played competitive softball since she was nine years old.

As a freshman at Seneca Valley in the spring of 2006, Raiders' coach George Trew knew she belonged in the starting lineup.

She started in the outfield before moving to shortstop during her sophomore season.

"Every year, you could see her mature as a player," said Trew. "And she just keeps getting better and better."

Hughes' offensive numbers this past season were staggering.

She batted .500 (40 for 80) with 21 runs scored and 21 more batted in.

She was an outstanding leadoff hitter for the Raiders, tallying an on-base percentage of .570.

"She's got it all, including speed," said Trew. "If she hits a ground ball, there's a good chance of her beating it out."

And as for her fielding:

"She reminds me a lot of (former SV shortstop and current star at Cornell University) Aly Intihar," said Trew. "She has the same quickness and a gun for an arm.

"I've seen umpires get ready to call a girl safe at first, but then they realize Dana's throw was in time," he added.

Though she has excelled at shortstop for the Raiders, UConn head coach Karen Mullins will most likely start Hughes at catcher.

"She said she's hoping I can step up and start right away, so I'm looking forward to that," Hughes said.

"I play catcher in the summer for the Pittsburgh Spirit," she added. "I'll be playing again next summer right before I leave for college, so it shouldn't be a problem being a catcher at UConn."

The Huskies are coming off a 28-22 campaign last spring. Mullins has compiled a 715-450-5 record in 24 seasons at the university.

Hughes' latest high school game saw her total three hits and an RBI in the Raiders' 3-2 loss to Shaler in the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals last May.

"We lost a lot of girls from last year's team," said Hughes. "As a leader, I just want to help the team finish with a winning record and maybe make a playoff run."

Trew will have a young team on his hands in 2009, but he knows what he can expect out of his shortstop.

"She's come through time and time again," he said. "Her desire to succeed is second to none."

Hughes hopes to become a physician's assistant or a professional in the business field.