Seven newcomers to join Lawrence volleyball team

The Lawrence University volleyball team gets seven new faces for the 2010 season, according to Vikings head coach Matt Schoultz.

Six players from Wisconsin – Brielle Bartes, Alissa Geipel, Lily Heun, Diane McLeod, Kate Rosenbalm and Taylor Tomaszewski – and Illinois native Kathleen Rowland are set to join the Vikings this fall.

“The 2010 class has numbers, talent and experience,” Schoultz said. “The members of this class help us the most with the first two contacts.  I am extremely excited about this class and the future of Lawrence volleyball.”

Brielle Bartes, Mukwonago High School, 5-9, Rightside Hitter/Outside Hitter

Bartes was a two-year varsity player and two-year letter winner for Mukwonago High School.  She helped guide her high school team to a WIAA regional championship in 2009.  She has played club volleyball for Muskego Stars Volleyball Club.  Bartes also competed in varsity softball for three years and for the Mukwonago power lifting team.  She took seventh place in the state power lifting competition as a senior.  Bartes is a stellar student and has named to National Honor Society. She won the Scholar Athlete Award and received High Honors.  Bartes also received Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association All-Academic honors.  The daughter of Daniel and Happy Bartes, she plans to major in chemistry (pre-medicine) and minor in international affairs.

Alissa Geipel, Pewaukee High School, 5-7, Outside Hitter

Geipel was a two-year varsity player and two-year letter winner for Pewaukee High School.  Geipel, who played club volleyball for Midwest Penguins Volleyball Club, also competed in varsity softball for four years and will play softball for the Vikings. Academically, Geipel has been named a Woodland Conference Scholar Athlete and has received High Honors.  The daughter of Jerry and Sue Geipel, she plans to major in biology.

Lily Heun, University School of Milwaukee, 5-8, Rightside Hitter

Heun was a four-year varsity player and four-year letter winner for University School of Milwaukee.  She earned first-team All-Midwest Classic Conference honors once and was a two-time second-team selection. Heun also competed in varsity track and field for three years. Heun is a Cum Laude Society Member, was nominated as a WIAA Scholar Athlete and received High Honors.  The daughter of Robert and Jayne Heun, she plans to major in biology.

Diane McLeod, Waukesha Catholic Memorial High School, 5-10, Setter/Rightside Hitter

McLeod was a three-year varsity player and three-year letter winner for Catholic Memorial High School.  McLeod earned honorable mention on the all-state team, while also picking up first-team all-conference honors. She also was selected for the WIAA All-State Tournament Team. McLeod helped lead her team to a conference and WIAA state championship in 2009. McLeod, who has played club volleyball for Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club, has been named to the National Honor Society and has received High Honors.  She also received Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association All-Academic honors. The daughter of Daniel and Dawn, she plans to major in biology (pre-medicine) and Spanish.

Kate Rosenbalm, Waterford High School, 5-5, Defensive Specialist/Rightside Hitter

Rosenbalm was a two-year varsity player and two-year letter winner for Waterford High School. She has played club volleyball for Muskego Stars Volleyball Club.  Academically, Rosenbalm has been named to the National Honor Society and has received High Honors.  The daughter of Brian and Patricia Rosenbalm, she plans to major in biochemistry and Spanish.

Kathleen Rowland, Champaign (Ill.) High School, 5-6, Defensive Specialist/Libero

Rowland was a three-year varsity player and three-year letter winner for Champaign High School. Rowland, who has earned honorable mention all-conference and all-area accolades, played club volleyball for Illini Elite Volleyball Club.  Rowland’s club teams have placed third at AAUs and USAV Junior Olympics.  Rowland also competed in varsity tennis for one year and qualified for the Illinois High School Association State Tournament in doubles. Rowland has been named to the National Honor Society and has received High Honors. The daughter of Kendrith Rowland and Nancy Fay, she plans to major in biology.

Taylor Tomaszewski, Weyauwega-Fremont High School, 5-6, Rightside/Outside Hitter

Tomaszewski was a three-year varsity player and three-year letter winner for Weyauwega-Fremont High School. Tomaszewski has been named honorable mention all-conference and has played club volleyball for FC Elite Volleyball Club. Tomaszewski, who also competed in varsity track and field for four years, was the salutatorian of her class. She also was selected for the National Honor Society and received High Honors. Tomaszewski also received Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association All-Academic honors.  The daughter of Rich and Rena Tomaszewski, she plans to major in engineering.

Lawrence opens its season Sept. 1 when its travels to compete against UW-Whitewater and Edgewood College in Madison.