DETROIT (1/7/2022) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's lacrosse team has announced the signing of three more student-athletes in Vanessa Fernandez (Simi Valley, Calif.), Angelina Hook (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Meredith Leavell (Sarasota, Fla.). 

Both Fernandez and Leavell prepped at IMG Academy in Florida and will join the team and be eligible to compete this season, while Hook will be a traditional freshman entering in the fall. 

"I am very excited with the signings of all three student-athletes and they will be great for our program," said head coach Dwayne Hicks. "We have two players who will join us this semester in Vanessa and Meredith and both will look to make an impact with the program right away."

The trio joins the four high school standouts who signed with the Titans in November in Kayleigh Aitken (Ore-Medonte, Ont./Everest Academy), Liberty Cuckler (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy Berlin), Alyssa Jarvis (Woodinville, Wa./Woodinville) and Ysa Pakowski (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South), all of whom will join the program next year. 

Vanessa Fernandez * Defense * Simi Valley, Calif. * IMG Academy (Fla.)

• A four-year letter winner in lacrosse
• Earned the Absolute Integrity award in 2021

Coach Hicks on Fernandez: "Vanessa is coming from IMG Academy which produces some of the best players in the country. We're looking forward to having her talent on the field and her experience in the locker room."

Angelina Hook * Defense * Scottsdale, Ariz. * Notre Dame Prep

• Earned varsity letters in basketball and lacrosse
• Was a four-year starter in lacrosse and was named the 2021 MVP and Defensive Player of the Year 
• Named to the Arizona Girls Lacrosse Association National Team
• Played club for Team Arizona and Desert Heat Elite

Coach Hicks on Hook: "Angelina is one of the most athletic players in our recruiting class. Her speed and aggressiveness are going to be a great addition to our defensive unit and she will be a great fit for how we're going to play."

Meredith Leavell * Goalie * Sarasota, Fla. * IMG Academy (Fla.)

• A four-year letter winner in lacrosse
• Selected to the WPLL Futures Team in 2020 
• Tabbed All-Conference and All-State as a sophomore, while attending high school in Minnesota
• Was named to the Under Armor All-America watch list as a sophomore
• Helped her team to a fourth-place finish in the state championship as a freshman
• Posted a 63.0 save percentage as a sophomore, allowing just three goals on the season
• Played club with Lacrosse Monkey before attending IMG Academy

Coach Hicks on Leavell: "We're very excited to have Meredith joining us this semester. She knows the game and has played with elite teams for most of her career and having that experience will help make us a better team."

The Titans' 2022 schedule will get underway in a month as the red, white and blue will open with Michigan on Feb. 11 at the UWM Sports Complex in Pontiac.