On Wednesday, the early signing period for National Letters of Intent for the 2011-2012 Academic Year began. A number of Washtenaw County athletes have already signed their commitments to attend Division 1 NCAA institutions on athletic scholarships, while several more will sign their NLIs prior to the Nov. 17 early signing deadline.

Friday afternoon at Milan High School, a trio of Big Reds softball players - who happen to be best friends and co-workers at The M-Den in Ann Arbor - are committing to play at the Division 1 level next year.

Milan seniors Nena Doran (infielder), Kat Hoffman (pitcher) and Vanessa Garcia (infielder) will each make their commitments official Friday afternoon inside Milan High School. Hoffman and Garcia are taking their talents to the University of Detroit while Doran will attend Cleveland State University.

Ironically, Hoffman and Garcia - who met in the sixth grade when Garcia’s family moved to Milan from California - always envisioned playing against each other in college.

“Me and Kat used to joke about that I was going to go to UCLA and she was going to go to Michigan, and we were going to play against each other,” said Garcia. “Turns out, we’re going to play together. I’m extremely excited. I can’t wait.”

Not only that, next year Garcia and Hoffman will be playing against Doran, as Cleveland State and Detroit both compete in the Horizon League.

“I’m really excited,” said Hoffman. “I’m going to get to play against Nena and play with Vanessa.”

Naturally, the three friends -- who helped Milan win a Division 2 district championship and advance to the regional finals last season -- are eager to get back on the diamond together this spring and beyond - even if it’s against each other.

“I’m glad that I’m getting the time with them (this year and next year),” said Doran. “It’s kind of like been us three as a group since we’ve been freshmen.”

BASKETBALL COMMITMENTS

Huron guard AJ Matthew and forward Dante Williams signed their Letters of Intent to attend college and play basketball for Division 1 programs on Thursday. Mathew signed to the University of Toledo and Williams signed to Oakland University on Thursday afternoon inside the athletic lobby at Huron High School.

On Wednesday afternoon, inside the Father Gabriel Richard conference room, 6-foot-10 center Darren Washington signed to neighboring Eastern Michigan University.

Fellow area center, 6-foot-9 Dave LaMore of Dexter, is penning a commitment to Cornell University on Monday morning inside the Dexter High School library.

Kaleb Roedel is a sports writer for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734)623-2562 and e-mailed at kalebroedel@annarbor.com