The Lawrence University volleyball team adds seven faces when it takes to the court this fall, Vikings coach Matt Schoultz announced Tuesday (July 17).
The newcomers are: Megan Conley of Elroy, Wis., Molly Hopkins of Shorewood, Wis., Savanah McCarthy of Bryant, Wis., Kelsey Stalker of Milton, Wis., Terese Swords of Evanston, Ill., Anna Wawiorka of Oconto Falls, Wis., and Andrea Wilkinson of Racine, Wis.
“The 2012 class has talent and numbers,” Schoultz said. “This class will help us with all phases of the game. I am extremely excited about this group and how they will fit into our team for the 2012 season.”
Megan Conley, Elroy, Wis./Royall, 6-0, Middle Hitter/Outside Hitter
Conley was a three-year varsity player and three-year letter winner for Royall High School. A team captain as a senior, Conley led her team in blocks, kills and aces in her final prep season. A three time all-conference selection, Conley was unanimous first-team pick as a senior, first team as a junior and a second-team pick her sophomore year. Conley helped her volleyball teams earn two conference championships and three regional titles. Conley also competed in three years of varsity track, two years of varsity basketball and one year of varsity softball. Conley has been named to the National Honor Society and received High Honors. She also was a four-year member of concert choir and FFA. Conley has played club volleyball for Wisconsin Power Volleyball Club and is the daughter of Annette Bender. She plans to major in biology (pre-medicine).
Molly Hopkins, Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood, 5-9, Rightside Hitter
Hopkins was a four-year varsity player and four-year letter winner for Shorewood High School. Hopkins also participated in varsity track for one year at Shorewood. Hopkins was named to the National Honor Society and was involved with student council, the school newspaper (editor) and served as a peer mentor. Hopkins has played club volleyball for Riptide, Ozaukee Wave, Lakeside and, most recently, G-Force. The daughter of Michael and Mary Hopkins, she plans to major in biology (pre-medicine).
Savanah McCarthy, Bryant, Wis./Antigo, 5-6, Setter
McCarthy was a three-year varsity player and two-year letter winner for Antigo High School, where she served as team captain as a senior. McCarthy earned honorable mention on the all-conference team as a senior. Academically, McCarthy was named to Who’s Who Among Honor Students and received High Honors. McCarthy has played club volleyball for Northern Pride and Northern Trailblazers. The daughter of Trent and Valerie McCarthy, she plans on majoring in biology (marine).
Kelsey Stalker, Milton, Wis./Milton, 5-9, Outside Hitter
Stalker was a four-year varsity player and three-year letter winner for Milton High School, where she served as team captain her senior year. Stalker earned honorable mention on the all-conference team as a junior and senior. Stalker also helped her volleyball team earn conference and regional championships in her senior season. Stalker also participated in varsity track for three seasons and plans to run track at Lawrence. Academically, Stalker has received High Honors. Stalker was a section leader in band and a member of wind ensemble, jazz band and orchestra and has received many state awards for her playing of the clarinet. Stalker also received first place in digital photography onsite at the Visual Arts Classic Regionals and at the State VAC for Digital photography. Stalker has played club volleyball for Wisconsin Performance. The daughter of Keith and Bonnie Stalker, she plans on majoring in environmental studies and art.
Terese Swords, Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township, 5-9, Outside Hitter
Swords was a two-year varsity player and two-year letter winner for Evanston High School. Swords helped her team earn two regional championship crowns. Swords also competed in two years of badminton. Swords was awarded the Michael O. Houlahan Memorial Scholarship and received High Honors. Swords played club volleyball for Wildcat Juniors and Energy Volleyball Club. The daughter of Mark and Valerie Swords, she plans on majoring in English and psychology (pre-medicine).
Anna Wawiorka, Oconto Falls, Wis./Oconto Falls, 5-5, Libero/DS
Wawiorka was a three-year varsity player and three-year letter winner for Oconto Falls High School, where she served as team captain her senior year. Wawiorka helped her team earn two conference championships, two regional championships and one sectional championship in her last two seasons. Wawiorka also is a standout softball player and won four letters on the diamond. Wawiorka has received all-conference honors in softball and helped her team to two conference championships, two regional titles and one sectional crown. Wawiorka also plans to play softball for the Vikings. In the classroom, Wawiorka was a WIAA Scholar Athlete, a member of National Honor Society and received High Honors. The daughter of Robert and Jackie Wawiorka, she plans on majoring in chemistry.
Andrea Wilkinson, Racine, Wis./Lutheran, 5-10, Outside Hitter
Wilkinson was a three-year varsity player and three-year letter winner for Racine Lutheran High School, where she served as team captain her senior year. A two-time all-conference selection, Wilkinson was a second-team pick as a senior and earned honorable mention as a junior. She also received honorable mention on the All-Racine County team and was selected as the team’s offensive MVP. Wilkinson also played three years of varsity basketball, three years of varsity softball and one year of varsity trap shooting and plans to compete on the Lawrence women’s basketball team. Academically, Wilkinson was the class valedictorian, U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete and a WIAA Scholar Athlete. Wilkinson has received the State of Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholar Award, Racine Lutheran High School Scholastic/Athletic Excellence Award, Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, U.S. President’s Acadmic Excellence Award and the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award. Wilkinson has played club volleyball for Foxfire Volleyball Club and Razor Sharp Volleyball Club. The daughter of Mike and Cheryl Lynn Wilkinson, she plans on majoring in biology (pre-medicine).
Lawrence opens its season Aug. 31 when the Vikings travel to compete in the Virginia Wesleyan Tournament in Virginia Beach, Va.