BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Campbell head softball coach Drew Peterson announced the addition of Nikki Prier and Kristen Cavallo to his coaching staff for the 2010-11 season.

Prier will serve as the graduate assistant coach at Campbell after just finishing up her four-year playing career at Jacksonville State University (JSU) in Jacksonville, Ala. Prier had an outstanding career at JSU where she was a three-time All-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) selection, including being a first team choice as both a sophomore and junior. She was named the OVC's Player of the Year as a junior when she led the conference in hitting (.379), doubles (20), runs-batted in (50) and total bases (125). She finished third in the league in home runs (12) while also tallying 67 hits, a slugging percentage of .706 and registered a hit in 41 of the team's 57 games. The Raleigh native ended her JSU career with a batting average of .339 to go along with 235 hits, 62 doubles, 38 home runs and 151 RBIs. Prier ranks among the top 10 at JSU in career batting average, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs and runs scored (135). Always a tough out, Prier ended her career only having struck out 60 times in 777 career plate appearances.

She was crucial part of JSU teams that made the NCAA Regional in each of the last three seasons and ended up with 148 wins in her four-year career. Her team advanced to the Super Regionals in 2009 when she was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First Team All-Region choice. She was named the OVC's tournament MVP and to the NFCA's Top 50 Watch List as senior in leading the Gamecocks to their third consecutive tournament crown. Prier graduated in the spring of 2010 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science and wellness and is enrolled in graduate school at Campbell.

"Nikki Prier was an outstanding four-year starter for Jacksonville State University," Peterson explained. "She is a local product (Raleigh) where she attended Wake Forest-Rolesville High School. She finished her career at Jacksonville State as the second all-time leading home run hitter and was the Ohio Valley Player of the Year as a junior. With those kind of player accolades, along with playing in three consecutive NCAA Regional Tournaments and being a key contributor on a team that advanced to the Super Regionals, she has the type of a experience at the college game that will help enhance and motivate our athletes to reach the next level and win a regional. Beyond that she is very outgoing, personable young lady that was an outstanding student in college with a passion for coaching and teaching. I think she will be invaluable to our program. Her primary responsibility will be to work with our hitters and also work with me on the day-to-day operations side of the team."

Cavallo, formerly Schell, was a four-year softball player at Purdue University from 2003-2006 in West Lafayette, Ind. The San Diego, Calif. native, who will serve as the volunteer coach at Campbell, was on teams that won 130 games in her four-year career. Cavallo, a first baseman and catcher, ended her career with 52 career RBIs and is tied for the single game record with her multi-home run game against Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne in 2003. In that game Cavallo also drove in six runs with her two-run home run and grand slam. The six RBIs are tied for the second-most record by a Boilermaker in a single game. She finished her career strong and hit a career-best .275 with 33 hits, six doubles, three home runs, 17 RBIs and 48 total bases as a senior.

Cavallo earned her bachelor's degree in communication with emphasis in organizational leadership and supervision in 2006. She continued her education and earned a master's degree in communication from Indiana in 2009. She is married to current Campbell football defensive line coach Nick Cavallo. The couple resides along with their soon to be newborn daughter Adriana in Fuquay-Varina.

"Kristen Cavallo is the wife of one of football coaches here at Campbell," Peterson stated. "She was a four-year Division I athlete at Purdue University and will help us out and work some with our hitters, catchers and corner infielders. She is very enthusiastic, competitive and organized".

"As a combination I couldn't ask for anything better in adding these two young ladies of tremendous character to the coaching staff," Peterson concluded. "They both have the intangible qualities of having played in the post season and have knowledge of what it takes to be successful. What we need are individuals that can help our team reach the next step in its development and I am confident that Nikki and Kristen will aid us do just that."