Saint Francis Announces Six Freshmen To Join Women’s Volleyball Team in 2009
LORETTO, Pa. (May 11, 2009) – Saint Francis University head women’s volleyball coach Chuck Mullen has announced that a talented incoming class of six freshmen will join the Red Flash women’s volleyball program for the 2009 season.
Kierstin Kiser (Clarion, Pa. / Clarion), Danielle Reese (Port Matilda, Pa. / Bald Eagle Area), Elizabeth Williams (North Bend, Ohio / Saint Ursula), Lauren Wingard (York, Pa. / Dallastown Area), Lauren Xiques (Easton, Pa. / Bethlehem Catholic), and Amanda Zahumensky (Sarver, Pa. / Freeport Area) have all signed national letters of intent to attend Saint Francis University, beginning in the fall of 2009.
“To say that I am thrilled to have this great group of young women as my first recruiting class is an understatement,” said Mullen, who will enter his second season in Loretto in the fall. “It’s a group of players that will complement our returners very well in leading us to what we want to be a special time in Saint Francis women’s volleyball. They are academically and athletically sound, and all of them will be in the mix for playing time right away.”
Kierstin Kiser helped lead Clarion Area High School to a 78-4 record during her four seasons as a setter. Kiser, under the guidance of head coach Shari Campbell, won four Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference (KSAC) titles, and three District IX and regional championships. Clarion advanced to the State Final 8 each of the last three seasons, and made it to the state semifinals during Kiser’s senior season. Kiser, who is 5-foot-8, was a two-time KSAC and District IX First Team selection, and was the conference and district MVP as a senior. Additionally, she was an all-state honoree and an all-state tournament team selection as a senior. Kiser also played softball at Clarion, and was a 2007 KSAC Second Team honoree. A member of the National Honor Society, she plans to enroll in Saint Francis’ Physicians Assistant program.
“Kierstin is a very polished setter that has received great training in high school by coach Shari Campbell, and it shows in her team’s success in Pennsylvania volleyball,” Mullen said. “Kierstin’s set location and consistency will be very valuable to our hitters.”
Danielle Reese will make the short trip down Interstate 99 to play for the Red Flash in 2009 following a standout four-year career under head coach Larry Campbell at Bald Eagle Area. A 5-11 outside hitter, Reese led the Lady Eagles to an 11-3 mark as a senior when she was the Mountain Athletic Conference MVP. She was a two-time PVCA all-state player while finishing as Bald Eagle Area’s all-time leader with 1,146 career kills, 148 service aces, and 1,415 points. As a senior, Reese hit .289 and had a passing average of 2.31. Reese also excelled in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society. She is a potential 2009 Valedictorian as she currently sits first in her class of 170 with a 4.0 GPA.
“Danielle is a great multi-dimensional player who can pass and defend just as well as she attacks and blocks,” Mullen said. “Her playing at this level will only enhance her skills and make her even better. Her upside will be endless with us.”
Elizabeth Williams comes to Saint Francis University from Saint Ursula Academy, where she was a middle blocker for head coach Julie Perry. A 6-foot-3 four-year starter, Williams was a first team Girls Greater Cincinnati League selection as a senior, as well as a second team all-city honoree. During her career, Williams helped lead the Bulldogs to two a district title and two regional championships. Williams is the President of the Girls Athletic Association, and is a member of the National Honor Society. In addition to her athletic and academic accomplishments, Williams is an active member of the Student Outreach Services, and volunteers at the Bethany House Shelter. She has also earned eight consecutive years of unanimous superior ratings at the National Federation of Music Piano competition.
“Lizzy will bring a new dimension to our middle,” Mullen said. “She has tremendous size at 6’3” for us, and will be a major asset for us when we play teams at the mid and upper Division I levels. It was an honor to have her as my first signee here at Saint Francis.”
Lauren Wingard is a 6-1 middle blocker who played for head coach Shannon Werner at Dallastown Area High School. She helped lead the Wildcats to a 15-6 record and the YAIAA County Championship this past season, as well as back-to-back Dallastown Invitational titles in 2007 and 2008. Wingard is a two-time PVCA Class AAA All-State honoree, and was the York County Player-of-the-Year in 2008. She also received the Shipley Athletic Achievement Award in 2008. Wingard has been named to numerous all-star and all-tournament teams during her career, and also participated in track & field, taking ninth place in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2008 District III championships. Wingard is a member of the National Honor Society and is on the Distinguished Honor Roll, and received the American Legion Award in 2005. She has received two first-place awards, a second place and an honorable mention at the Dallastown Science Fair, as well as a first and third place award at the York County Science Fair. Wingard plans to enroll in Saint Francis’ Physical Therapy program.
“Lauren also has great multiple skill sets,” Mullen said. “She may play middle now for us, but I could see her being an outside attacker for us down the road. She’s a very nice, humble young woman who can be very aggressive out on the court.”
Lauren Xiques is a 5-11 middle blocker from Bethlehem Catholic High School, where she helped lead the Golden Hawks to three District XI Class AA titles under the guidance of head coach Rosie Bukics. As a senior, Xiques helped BeCAHI record a 21-5 record and was named a Lehigh Valley Conference First Team honoree, as well as a Class AA All-State honoree. A two-time team captain, Xiques participated in the Lehigh Valley All-Star game as a senior, and was the Easton Express-Times Player-of-the-Week on Oct. 2, 2008. She is a two-time PVCA All-State selection, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Xiques plans to enroll in Saint Francis’ Physical Therapy program.
“Along with her unique last name, “Zeek” will be a great player for us,” Mullen said. “She also is a great multi-dimensional player that may change positions down the road and will have no problem with it. She attended our summer camp immediately after I came to Saint Francis last July, and I noticed her right away.”
Amanda Zahumensky played for three years under head coach Tom Phillips at Freeport Area High School. She won four sectional titles as a 5-9 middle hitter, and was a first team all-section honoree in 2008. Zahumensky, who was also a two-year participant in track & field and softball, plans to study Biology at Saint Francis.
“Amanda is a very energetic and vocal player,” Mullen said. “Her role could be a possible libero or ball-control outside hitter for us. She’s a very out-going and competitive person, and she’ll be fun to have around.”