July 31, 2012
NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion University women's lacrosse team and head coach Heather Holt announced the addition of eight student-athletes for the 2013 season on Tuesday.
“We are very excited to welcome this new class of incoming freshman to the ODU Lacrosse family,” said Holt. “Together they bring a wealth of athleticism, speed, and skill. We look forward to them making an immediate impact on our program and increasing the level of competition. This class combined with our current players will help to transform the ODU Lacrosse program into a national contender."
New to the Lady Monarchs’ program will be Nicole Bellini, Imani Black, Maggie Clough, Alex Danks, Mary Margaret McCaleb, Alison Riccio, Rachel Shaw and Ellen Udovich along with other possible student-athletes that will be trying out for the team this fall.
Nicole Bellini
Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park
Bellini was a four-year letter winner and starter at Winter Park High School. She played on the Under Armour South squad as a junior in 2011 and plans on majoring in sport management at ODU.
Holt on Bellini: "Nicole will be a very strong addition to our team. Her size and strength on the field will help to elevate the level of our overall play. I am confident that Nicole’s speed will enable our team to have a smoother transition up the field this year and in the future.”
Imani Black
Centreville, Md./Queen Anne’s County
Black was a three-year starter on defense at Queen Anne’s County High School where she was all-conference second team in 2011 and honorable mention in 2010. She was a member of the Eastern Shore team in the 2011 national tournament. Black was listed on the ESPNHS Lacrosse Class of 2012 Top 25 Defender list. An honor roll student, Black is an Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholar-Athlete and was named the Queen Anne’s County High School Defensive Player of the Year.
Holt on Black: “Imani’s intensity is contagious and will be welcomed on our defensive end. I am excited to watch Imani become a key member of our defensive unit. Her strength will be a tough match-up for many of our opponents.”
Maggie Clough
Baldwin, Md./Fallston
Clough is the younger sister of current ODU junior midfielder Courtney Clough and was a two-year letter winner in lacrosse and part of the 2012 Maryland state championship team at Fallston High School. A member of the national honor society, Clough is also a student government leader.
Holt on Clough: “Maggie comes from a winning program which has enabled her to have tremendous game sense. She will be a solid contributor in the midfield for our team. Along with these skills, Maggie is an excellent student who was a member of several honor societies. These are quality traits that will be greatly valued on our team in the future.”
Alex Danks
Boynton Beach, Fla./Park Vista
Danks was a four-year letter winner for Park Vista High School where she tallied 188 career goals including a school record 91 goals her senior year where served as team captain and was first team all-state in Florida, all-district, all-conference, all-area and all-county. An honor roll selection, Danks earned all-district and all-area all four years of high school.
Holt on Danks: “Alex is a strong attacker that should make an immediate impact on our offensive end. She has set many records in her high school career, which we hope for her to continue here at Old Dominion. Alex has great speed and quickness and is always a threat on attack.”
Mary Margaret McCaleb
Haymarket, Va./Battlefield
McCaleb was a four-year letter winner at Battlefield High School where she was the Player of the Year in the Cedar Run District and the Northwest Region in Virginia. She was first-team all-area in Virginia and honorable mention in the Washington Post All-Met area. McCaleb was captain her senior season and team MVP where she scored 85 goals to go along with 19 assists and led her team to the state semifinals.
Holt on McCaleb: “Mary Margaret is a quick player that is very competitive in the midfield and on attack. Her confidence on the field and determination to hustle after every ball is one of Mary Margaret’s best assets. Her work ethic on the field is exactly in line with the direction in which our program is going this year.”
Alison Riccio
Virginia Beach, Va./Cape Henry Collegiate
Riccio was part of the 2012 state championship team at Cape Henry Collegiate where she was first team all-state in 2011 and 2012 and first team all-conference in 2012 and second team all-conference in 2011. An academic honor roll student, she was on the Virginia National team in 2011 and won the Cape Henry Collegiate School Coaches Award in 2012.
Holt on Riccio: “Alison is a stand-out midfielder who is very quick on the draw. We are excited to have Alison’s determination and speed in midfield and in the attacking end.”
Rachel Shaw
Lansdale, Pa./North Penn
Shaw was a four-year letter winner at North Penn High School where she served as team captain in 2012 and led the team in goals and was a distinguished honor roll student. She was a two-time all-conference selection and was selected for the National Tournament team for Team Philly in 2010.
Holt on Shaw: “Rachel is a very talented player that will contribute all over the field. Her ability to score goals will drive our team to a new level this year. Rachel is a powerful player and very aggressive in every aspect of her game.”
Ellen Udovich
Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley
Udovich was a four-year letter winner in lacrosse at Ridley High School where she led the team in goals in 2012 and played for Team Philly in the National Tournament.
Holt on Udovich: “Ellen comes from a traditionally strong area in Pennsylvania. Her game sense and amazing stick skills are two of her greatest qualities as a player. I expect Ellen to be a tough competitor and a key play maker on our offensive end.”