Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/24/11
From Press Releases
University of Delaware women’s lacrosse head coach Kateri Linville, who led her team to within one game of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament a year ago in her first season at the helm of the Blue Hens, has announced her second recruiting class with 11 high school standouts signing NCAA National Letters of Intent.
The group includes Philly’s Elyse Andrews (Archmere Academy, DE), Devyn Heidelbaugh (Boyertown), Ali Karwoski (Great Valley), McKenzie Rafferty (Downingtown East) and Abigail Wheble (Avon Grove) as well as Kara Dattellas, Elizabeth Duffey, Shannon Hawley, Emily Pollard, Lauren VanDaniker and Erin Wein.
“The program continues to gain momentum as a result of our coaching staff’s ability to attract and sign talented competitors who buy into the championship vision,” said Linville of her second recruiting class. “We have a very accomplished group athletically and academically. Each and every one of our signees tabbed Delaware as their first choice. This group loves the University and is eager to return the lacrosse program to national prominence.”
Andrews, a midfielder from Wilmington, De., was one of Delaware’s top scholastic players last season at Archmere Academy. She is a two-time team captain in lacrosse who also has earned all-conference laurels three times and was a first team All-State pick last spring. She is a three-sport standout who played multiple season on varsity and served as team captain for the field hockey and basketball teams. Andrews is a National Honor Society student and an active volunteer in several community organizations.
“Elyse is strong, fast, and has a hard nose for the goal, but what distinguishes her on the field is her game intelligence,” said Linville. “She has a great understanding of the game, which allows her to read play and make smart decisions in critical situations. We are excited to have one of the top athletes in the state become an impact player in our program.”
Heidelbaugh, a native of Boyertown, Pa., will begin her fourth season as a varsity starter at Boyertown High School this spring. She enjoyed an outstanding junior campaign in 2010 as she led the team in groundballs and draw controls, and earned a spot on the all-area first team. She also earned All-PAC 10 conference honors as both a soph more and junior. Heidelbaugh plays soccer at Boyertown and earned All-PAC 10 honorable mention in 2010. A standout student-athlete, she is also an honor student.
“Devyn is a glue kid, who has the athleticism and hustle to come up with key groundballs and draw controls. A positive, communicator in the defensive end, Devyn is a leader and play-maker. She is likely to contribute to our success in her first year.”
Karowski, a native of Malvern, Pa., earned first team all-league, first team all-area, and Under Armour All-American honors in 2010 as a junior for Great Valley High School. The high-scoring attacker was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player at the Philly Showcase during the summer and was the runner-up for area Player of the Year by phillylacrosse.com. Karowski led all District 1 players in goals scored last season. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, she is honor roll student.
“Ali has a physical presence on the field,” said Linville. “Her athleticism makes her dynamic in the midfield and unstoppable in the attacking end. Ali is a disciplined player who recognizes game situations and willingly steps up as the go-to player. Ali is a proven winner and game-changer, who will make an immediate impact in our program.”
Rafferty, an attacker from Chester Springs, Pa., will be a fourth-year starter on the varsity team this spring at Downingtown East and will look to defend the Ches-Mont League and District 1 Championships. She earned a spot on the ESPN RISE All-American Honorable Mention team as a junior last season. Rafferty was also named to the All Ches-Mont and All-Area’s First Team. She is a two-year team captain of the women’s golf team at Downingtown East, qualifying for the Ches-Mont League Tournament each year. The National Honor Society student is also an editor for the DEHS Prowl Yearbook and an All-American Scholar Award honoree.
“McKenzie is a skilled attacker with great vision. Her eye-hand coordination allows her to catch anything and fake and finish under pressure. Her game sense and dodging allow her to create offensively on and off ball. She will make an impact in our attack unit and add speed and skill to our transition game.”
Wheble, a native of Avondale, Pa., is a standout in both field hockey and lacrosse at nearby Avon Grove High School. She will be a fourth-year varsity lacrosse player this spring and will serve as team captain. She earned All-Ches Mont Conference and All-Region honors as both a sophomore and junior and was named to the ESPN Rising Watch List. In field hockey, she earned All-Ches Mont honors three times as a midfielder. Wheble is a National Honor Society student and the student council vice-president.
“Abby is a relentless competitor who brings a contagious energy and enthusiasm to her team in her own pursuit of excellence,” said Linville. “Her speed and quickness allow her to dominate in the offense, defense, and transition game. Abby will make her teammates better everyday and is likely to make an immediate impact as a freshmen.”
Dattellas, a native of Camillus, N.Y., will be third-year starting midfielder at West Genesee High School this spring where she will once again be a teammate of fellow UD recruit Shannon Hawley. She is a three-time Under Armour Underclass All-American, earned first team All-American honors in 2011, has been a two-time All-Central New York selection, and a three-time all-league standout. She has helped her high school team capture three straight regional, section, and division championships. She also plays soccer and basketball. A leader on and off the field, Dattellas is a National Honor Society student.
“Kara is an extremely effective midfielder who makes the game look effortless and graceful,” said Linville. “Her game sense, in combination with her stick skills, make Kara a reliable and consistent team player. Adding depth to our midfield unit, Kara will be relied upon to make impact plays all over the field.”
Duffey, a midfielder from Mount Laurel, N.J., has been a three-year starter in lacrosse at Lenape High School. Duffey earned first team all-conference, all-county, and All South Jersey honors as a junior in 2011. A three-sport standout, Duffey also starred in soccer as a midfielder and in track as a member of the 4 x 800 meter relay team. She led the soccer team to three state titles and the track team to a state title in 2011 and was a member of the state champion 4 x 800 meter relay team in 2010. Pursuing excellence on the field and in the classroom, Duffey is also an honor student.
“Lizzie is tough as nails” noted Linville. “She is a gritty player known for making hustle plays, causing turnovers and collecting groundballs. A multi-sport athlete, Lizzie is a proven winner and champion. Her versatile skills and her competitiveness are likely to make an immediate impact in our game plan.”
Hawley, a native of Camillus, N.Y., will be a third-year starting midfielder at West Genesee High School this spring where she will once again be a teammate of fellow UD recruit Kara Dattellas. Hawley has led her high school team to consecutive regional, sectional, and division titles in 2009, 2010, and 2011, garnering the team’s Unsung Hero Award this past spring. She is a three-time Under Armour Underclass All-American. She also played basketball at West Genesee and has been a competitive figure skater for the last eight years. In addition to her athletics accomplishments, Hawley is also active in several community service projects in her area.
“Shannon loves the game,” stated Linville. “She always has a stick in her hand, which explains her outstanding skill set. Her speed, quickness, and stick skills, make her game changer. A true middie, Shannon will be looked to control the draw, cause turnovers, and convert goals.”
Pollard, an attacker from of Merrimack, N.H., has enjoyed an outstanding career at Merrimack High School where she has been a standout since her freshman year. She has earned team Most Valuable Player honors and been named All-State all three seasons, including first team laurels each of the last two seasons. She plays field hockey and track and field. She is a two-time All-State pick in field hockey and earned All-State honors in track & field where she holds nine school records. A leader on and off the field, Pollard is also a National Honor Society student.
“Emily is fast and quick,” stated Linville. “Her athleticism and hard nose for the cage distinguishes her as top dodger. Emily’s ability to dodge and finish will add depth and versatility to our attack unit. A Delaware Lacrosse family legacy, Emily will look to match or break records set by her aunt and fellow Blue Hen, Barbara Wolf Pollard.”
VanDaniker, a native of Perry Hall, Md., will be a fourth-year member of the varsity squad at Perry Hall this spring where she will look to build on an outstanding career. She was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2010 and was selected to the all-division squad in 2010 and the all-county team in 2011. In addition, she was a four-time All-Academic team selection. She also competes in soccer. A leader, VanDaniker is a student council representative at Perry Hall and is active in several community service efforts in her area.
“Lauren is quick and skilled,” said Linville. “She is an effective drawer and a natural finisher. A dominate player in the transition game, Lauren uses her vision, quick release, and outstanding shot placement to push the tempo. Lauren is also a calm and composed player in the settled attack and will be relied upon to convert goals as a freshmen.”
Wein, a defender from Middletown, Md., earned All-American honors last spring for Middletown High School. She earned first team all-area honors as a junior in 2011, has been a two-time All-Galaxy first team all-star, and earned MVAL Piedmont all-conference. An honor student, Wein is also a three-time all-conference selection in field hockey and is active in numerous community service projects in her area.
“Erin is a fast, aggressive defender who hunts the ball,” noted Linville. “Her ability to make 2-point plays (cause turnovers and collect groundballs) make her a game-changer. Erin is the type of athlete who just keeps getting better. She will make an immediate impact in the defensive unit and add speed to our transition game.”
Delaware will begin its 2012 regular season Feb. 16 at national power Maryland before returning to Delaware Stadium for the home opener Feb. 22 vs. Villanova. The complete 2012 schedule will be announced next week.
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