By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/3/10
Villa Maria Academy junior midfielder Jenna Mertz has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at James Madison University.
Mertz helped the Hurricanes finish second (11-8) in the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies and qualify for the District 1 tournament last year. She plays club lacrosse for PA Express.
Mertz plans to major either in Marketing or Business at JMU, located in Harrisonburg, Va.
“I liked the size of school; it was not too big and not too small,” she said. “Plus, it’s 4 hours from home and that’s not bad.”
The Dukes went 17-3 last year, win the Colonial Athletic Conference title and reaching the NCAA quarterfinals. The head coach is Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe, a JMU alum who also coached at Hofstra.
“I loved it all down there. The girls girls so nice Shelley such great coach program, aggressive fun had-working at same time having fun not being burnt out collectively winter not getting burned out not sick og it
Mertz is the second Philly junior to pick James Madison. Conestoga’s Emily Pillion committed in the fall. Mertz also is third VMA player to commit to a Division I college. Seniors Elise Bendinelli (Villanova/attack) and Cat Layne (defender/Penn State) have signed Letters of Intent.
Once again, Villa Maria is expected to battle defending champion and arch-rival Merion Mercy for the AACA championship. The two teams have been the top clubs in the league for a number of years.
“I am very excited for the season,” said mertz. “We have a new coach (Former Temple great and Germantown Academy alum Jess Chadwin) and our team chemistry is great.
“I can’t wait to see how the season works out. The top goal is to beat Merion and win the league.”
