June 19, 2006

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Head coach Terri Dadio Campbell has received commitments from six recruits to join the Lafayette volleyball team in the fall, as announced on Monday afternoon. The Class of 2010 features solid players from five different states who have a plethora of experience from decorated high school and club programs.

With the addition of the incoming class coupled with six returning starters, the Leopards will aim to make the Patriot League Tournament cut for the first time in Campbell's four years at the helm. In 2005, Lafayette finished at 16-14, posting the most wins for the program since 1994.

"I am excited to have six newcomers joining us in the fall," Campbell said. "I am confident that they will help us reach a higher level, as they are very talented athletes who love to play the game. Their enthusiasm and experience will certainly make us a better unit on the court."

A pair of Pennsylvania natives are headed to College Hill in Caitlin Brown (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell Area) and Cara Mulholland (Flourtown, Pa./Mount St. Joseph Academy).

Brown, a 6-0 Coaches Association All-State selection, should help the Leopards at the net from the outside and right side hitter slots. Brown captained the Hopewell Area high school team to its fourth straight District 7 Championship, as the team went undefeated in sectional play for the fourth consecutive season. Brown, a four-year scholar-athlete, was a Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association All-District 7 Second Team honoree and was a part of the WPIAL All-Star team in 2005. At the club level, Brown played with the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Club for three years and qualified for Junior National Championships in 2004 and 2005.

At 5-10, Mulholland also garnered All-Pennsylvania honors and was the Bicentennial League MVP as a senior at Mount St. Joseph Academy. Mulholland captained the Magic, which captured the Bicentennial League title in 2005 after being runner-up in 2004. Mulholland, who also competed in lacrosse as a sophomore and junior, was placed on the all-league team both years, while earning First Team All-Catholic Academy honors at the same time. In the classroom, Mulholland was lauded with 1st honors at the Mount. She played four years for the Valley Forge Juniors club team that won the Eastern Regional Championships in three of her four years. Mulholland's father, Mark, is a 1981 graduate of Lafayette, while her older brother Chris plays lacrosse at Colgate.

Moving further west, Kari Horn (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy), a 5-8 setter/defensive specialist out of Cincinnati, is expected to contribute at either the setter slot or as a defensive specialist. A First Team All-League and First Team All-City selection, Horn was named to the All-Ohio third team. Horn, also a basketball and track athlete, led Ursuline to a ninth-place ranking out of 191 volleyball teams in all of Ohio. She played one year for the Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club before moving on the Cincinnati Sports Express Bullets, which qualified for the USA Junior Olympics.

Ashton Rossi (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic) will add more depth at the setter spot. Rossi was an integral part of a Cathedral Catholic team that won a record seventh straight CIF title in 2005. As a senior captain and team MVP, Rossi was named to the All-CIF and All-Western League first teams, while also setting the Cathedral Catholic record for aces in a season. Her team made a run to the Southern California Semi-Finals in 2005 after a championship appearance in 2004. The 5-10 setter played for the nationally ranked Coast Volleyball Club for eight years. Rossi was a three-time All-Academic team member, while also competing in water polo.

Melissa VanCak (Rowlett, Texas/Rockwall), a 5-7 First Team All-District honoree, offers versatility as an outside hitter/defensive specialist. She led Rockwall to the 2005 District Championship, while also competing with the Texas Assault and Dallas Summit club teams. The Dallas Summit was ninth at the Far West Qualifier and took first at the American Volleyball Challenge held in Dallas. A solid all-around athlete, VanCak was a district champion in the 400m for track, while placing second in the 800m. VanCak is a six-time Academic Booster Club Scholar Award winner and as many times a Lantern of Knowledge/Chevron award recipient. She was a National Honor Society member, Citizenship Award winner and named to Who's Who Among American High School Students.

Rounding out the Class of 2010 is Amy Mickiewicz (Tolland, Conn./Tolland). The 5-9 outside hitter played for the Husky Volleyball Club, while also nabbing MVP accolades for Tolland. She was an All-Conference performer as a junior and senior, while being named captain for the 2005 season. A three-sport athlete competing in volleyball, basketball and softball, Mickiewicz was named a scholar-athlete in all three season for four straight years. She was a National Honor Society member and an honor roll student.

The six-member class holds the task of replacing just one player from the 2005 team, as the Leopards lost captain Catherine Herchenroder to graduation in May. Meanwhile, Lafayette returns All-Patriot League selections Veronica Canto-Ponce and Michaela Donohue for the 2006 season. Three seniors, Shannon Fisher, Katie Moore and Canto-Ponce will serve as tri-captains throughout the 2006 schedule, which is highlighted with a trip to Jacksonville University for a Labor Day weekend tournament.