CINCINNATI  In 16 years as volleyball coach at St. Ursula Academy, Julie Thoman Perry has seen dozens of her players continue their careers in college.

   None was ever as hotly pursued by the major colleges, she says, as current senior Shadia Haddad.

   "She''s probably one of the best I''ve coached, one of the top athletes," Thoman Perry said Thursday. "She''s the one that was most highly recruited as a Division I prospect."

   In the race for the 6-foot middle blocker''s considerable talents, the University of Illinois has received the checkered flag. Haddad informed UI head coach Don Hardin of her decision late last week and made it public on Thursday after informing the other finalists she had picked the 25th-ranked Illini.

   Haddad said the UI met all she was seeking in a school and a volleyball program.

   "I was looking at the future of the team, the coaching staff and also the support for volleyball," said Haddad, who made her official visit to the UI in August and took in the annual Networker Alumni Match. "I just really like the team and all the fan support, and it was a real good academic school."

   A three-year starter and four-year varsity member, Haddad has played for a state championship team the last three years. In fact, Ursula has won the past four titles in Division II, the second largest class in Ohio.

   As a junior, Haddad was selected second-team all-state and first-team all-district as well as player of the year in her conference. In 1996, when Haddad''s club team placed second in the USA Volleyball Junior Championships, she was named a second-team All-American by the organization.

   Thoman Perry said she sees no weaknesses in Haddad''s game and said her player should be able to contribute as a freshman if she can quickly adjust to the quicker pace of college ball.

   "She''s just a very fast, quick middle, good on defense," the Ursula coach said. "She''s an outstanding hitter who can put the ball anywhere  just jumps above the block."

   Besides the UI, Haddad made official visits to top-ranked Penn State, Ohio State, Duke and Miami of Ohio. She said her choice  which came down to Illinois, Ohio State and Penn State  was a difficult one.

   "I''m just really relieved it''s all over," Haddad said.

   Thoman Perry put a resounding stamp of approval on her player''s decision, primarily because of the impression Illini head coach Don Hardin made during the recruiting process.

   "I really like Don Hardin a lot," she said. "He''s a really class guy. A very knowledgeable coach and has a good personality.

   "When you''ve coached someone for four years, I feel good about passing her on to Don. She''s in good hands."

   Haddad''s commitment fills the only available scholarship Illinois had to offer for next season. The letter-of-intent signing period for volleyball begins Feb. 4.