ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis University head softball coach Christy Connoyer has announced the addition of four student-athletes to the Billikens' program. Each player will have four years of eligibility beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
 
The new Billikens are catcher/utility Sydney Berger (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette), first baseman/outfielder Katie Cox (Port Byron, Ill./Riverdale), third baseman/utility Ellie Holmstrom (Palos Heights, Ill./Marist) and middle infielder/outfielder Lucy Oetting (Morrison, Ill./Newman Central Catholic).

 

Sydney Berger
Four-year varsity player … first-team All-State as a senior … three-time first-team All-Region, three-time first-team All-District and three-time first-team All-Conference … helped Lafayette win the 2024 Class 5 state title … made the All-State Tournament team … Southside Classic MVP … two-time Rockwood Summit All-Tournament team … holds Lafayette career records for hits (140) and RBIs (112) … also had 11 home runs and 31 doubles in her career … teammates voted her the Lancers' "Golden Bat" winner twice as well as their "Unsung Hero" … Class of the Suburban Award recipient … Lafayette's August 2025 Student-Athlete of the Month … batted .494 with a .629 slugging percentage, one home run, 10 doubles, 38 RBIs, nine runners caught stealing and a 1.000 fielding percentage in fall 2025 … plays travel ball with St. Louis Chaos 18U Gentile … hit .365 with a .427 on-base percentage, a .446 slugging percentage, one home run, five doubles and 17 RBIs in summer 2025 … also excelled in track and field in the javelin throw … three-time conference champion, two-time All-District and two-time All-Section … as a junior, ranked 22nd nationally among high school girls, placed fourth at the state meet and was district and sectional champion … holds the school record of 44.93 meters … Captains Award and Outstanding Field Award recipient … May 2025 Student-Athlete of the Month … three-time Academic All-State, three-time Scholar Athlete, three-time Scholar Artist, four-time Gold Renaissance GPA, National Honor Society member, French Club president, Senior Women Community Service Club, and spring and fall Sports Leadership Committee.
 
Coach Connoyer: "Sydney is a local standout and a competitor on the field and in the classroom. She is a true student of the game who challenges herself and her opponents every time she steps on the field. On offense, her power is evident, and she also drives gaps and executes in the clutch. A vocal leader with contagious energy, Sydney's passion for the sport and for Billiken softball is indisputable. We are thrilled to welcome her to the family."

 

Katie Cox
Three-year team captain … second-team All-State in 2024 and 2025 … third-team All-State in 2023 … unanimous first-team All-Conference selection in 2025 … second-team All-Conference in 2023 and 2024 … as a junior, batted .495 with 10 home runs, 52 RBIs, a .936 slugging percentage, a .538 on-base percentage and a .982 fielding percentage … plays travel ball with Peoria Sluggers 18U Beyer … hit .380 with four home runs, 29 RBIs, a .684 slugging percentage, a .468 on-base percentage and a .971 fielding percentage in summer 2025 … also has played volleyball and basketball … 2024 and 2025 volleyball team captain … three-time Academic All-Conference … three-year summa cum laude student … National Honor Society member … recipient of Riverdale's Distinguished Service Award and DAR Good Citizen Award.
 
Coach Connoyer: "Katie is a focused and driven student-athlete who pays close attention to details, which serves her well on the field and in the classroom. She is a sound and steady hitter who attacks with power and will provide a solid punch in our lineup. She is also tough on defense, with a strong arm in the outfield and good glove work at first base. We're excited to have Katie join the Billiken family."
 
 

Ellie Holmstrom
Team captain as a junior … 2025 honorable mention All-Conference … member of Marist's 2023 4A state championship team and was the only freshman in the starting lineup … batted .368 with four home runs and 25 RBIs … plays travel ball with Orland Park Sparks 18U Premier … hit .357 with three home runs and 41 RBIs in summer competition … the team finished third in the 2025 PGF Nationals 16U Platinum division … five-time Dean's List student … Marist Student Ambassador.
 
Coach Connoyer: "Ellie is a solid student-athlete who plays with consistency and drive and makes those around her better. Her athletic ability on defense is exceptional, with great glove work on the infield, and she will also be an offensive threat in the lineup. A standout in the classroom, Ellie is a student of the game as well, and the future looks very bright for her in our Billiken softball program."
 
 

Lucy Oetting
Illinois Coaches Association third-team All-State, first-team Sauk Valley Media All-Area and unanimous first-team All-Conference in 2025 … batted .422 with a .524 on-base percentage, two home runs, eight doubles, 14 RBIs, 35 runs, 17 walks and 12 stolen bases that season … first-team All-Conference in 2024, honorable mention in 2023 … plays travel ball with Peoria Sluggers … hit .338 with a .434 OBP, one home run, five doubles, two triples, 15 RBIs, 19 runs, 12 walks and eight stolen bases in summer 2025 … also has competed in volleyball, basketball, and track and field … volleyball second-team All-Conference and Newman's MVP in 2024 … in basketball, was second-team All-Conference in 2024 and third-team Sauk Valley Media All-Area in 2025 … Academic All-Conference in all four sports in which she participated … high honor roll student every year … National Honor Society member … B.L.I.N.D. (Building Lasting Impressions that Never Die) Leader … Kairos Leader … Senior Class Attendant.

Coach Connoyer: "Lucy competes at a high level. She is an incredible athlete with tremendous ability and plays with passion and toughness that will benefit her at the next level. Lucy challenges a defense and puts balls in play hard while also covering ground both in the infield and outfield to shut down an opponent's offensive momentum. We're excited to welcome Lucy to the Billiken family."