April 23, 2012
VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova volleyball team will add four additional student-athletes to the roster in 2012, which completes the class of 2016 at seven members, head coach Josh Steinbach has announced.
Michelle Adams, Lauren Carpenter, Anna Dwyer and Colleen Hickey will join the Wildcats in August when pre-season workouts begin.
Adams is a defensive specialist from Sugar Land, Texas. She set a single season record for most digs in a season at William P. Clements High School and was a two-year letterwinner. Adams was named a Fort Bend Sun all-district team member in 2011 and Clements' Most Outstanding Defensive Player. She is a two-time first team all-district selection and the 2010 Newcomer of the Year.
"Michelle is a versatile hitter and defender," Steinbach said. "She has a great serve and will bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our gym."
Carpenter is an outside hitter from Lakewood, Colo. and earned three letters at Lakewood High School. She was the Jeffco League MVP and a two-time all-state and first team all-conference selection. Carpenter has been named to the first team academic all-state squad two consecutive years.
"Lauren has the ability to play right away and is currently playing at a high club level in Colorado," said Steinbach. "She can do a bit of everything from hitting, to passing, blocking and defending. She is a very focused athlete and we are excited to have her join our team."
As defensive specialist from Jupiter, Fla., Dwyer earned two letters playing at The Benjamin School where she was the libero. In 2011 she was an AVCA Under Armour All-American nomination and was her team's MVP. Dwyer helped her squad to a district championship and finished as a regional finalist. She was also named to the Sun Sentinel first team all-region squad and was a Palm Beach Post first team all-area selection.
"Anna will be the fastest player in our gym," Steinbach said. "She has great first step quickness and will help us continue the tradition of great defensive specialist's at Villanova."
Hickey is an outside hitter from West Chester, Pa. and won three letters at the Academy of Notre Dame. She is a two-time all-Inter AC selection and was named to the first team all-Main Line in 2010 and 2011. Hickey helped her squad to second place in the PAIAA state tournament in 2011. She owns the single season kill record at Note Dame Academy. Hickey is an AP Scholar and also ran track.
"Colleen has a Villanova background and has the physical potential to be a quality outside hitter in the BIG EAST," Steinbach said. "I am excited to see her progression over four years with us."
Adams, Carpenter, Dwyer and Hickey join Gabby Pethokoukis, Emma Pettit and Brittany Rembert as the class of 2016.
"I am very excited about the athletes and personalities joining us as the class of 2016," said Steinbach. "This class embodies what Villanova is all about and I am looking forward to seeing what the next four years have in store for us."
