NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion’s women’s lacrosse and head coach Heather Holt welcome 11 freshmen to the 2016-17 roster. The reigning A-SUN Champions lost seven athletes to graduation and will look to the incoming class to hit the ground running.
With fall workouts beginning in just a couple weeks, ODUSports.com wanted to introduce the class of 2020. The 11 athletes representing six states from the north/northeast region (New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania) join the Monarchs for the upcoming 2017 season. Eight of the newcomers committed to Old Dominion in November of 2015 during the early signing period.
"I am really looking forward to our incoming freshmen class,” said coach Holt. “This class will bring youth, energy, and greater depth to our current squad. Our program made huge strides last year winning the A-Sun Championship and participating in the NCAA Tournament. With the new additions to our squad, we are really excited for the upcoming season and are highly anticipating the team's arrival this fall."
Stephanie Allen – Corning, New York // Corning Painted-Post High School
Allen was a three-year varsity starter for her high school and a member of the Relentless Hustle club team. She earned three MVP awards throughout her playing career, including MVP of the Syracuse Nike Cup Team Tournament Camp in 2014. After helping lead the Corning Hawks to two sectional titles, she received the Corning Lacrosse Alumni Award in 2016.
Allen was a member of the National Honors Society and maintaining a 4.0 GPA in high school and enrolled in the Accelerated Senior Year Program at Corning Community College.
“I chose ODU because it was the perfect fit for me academically and athletically. The staff, team and campus made me feel at home and that I could truly succeed here.”
Ryann Bauer – West Chester, Pennsylvania // Henderson High School
Bauer was a four-year varsity player in both lacrosse and field hockey at Henderson high school. She collected four 2nd Team All-Chesmont accolades and three all-area honorable mentions. As a sophomore, Bauer helped her field hockey team win the district championship. During her senior season, Bauer scored her 100th goal for the lacrosse team.
Concluding her senior year, she received the Melissa Reigel and the Ken McGrogan Awards. The Melissa Reigel award is given to the field hockey and lacrosse player whose attitude, determination and quiet leadership made her a tremendous asset to her team. The Ken McGrogan award goes to the most outstanding female athlete.
Academically, Bauer was a four-year honor roll student. She also got out in the community by volunteering her spare time at the United for Her organization.
“I was looking for an institution that was a good fit for me academically, athletically and socially. I found all of these in Old Dominion University.”
Hanna Breslin – Ardmore, Pennsylvania // Haverford High School
Breslin was a three-sport athlete in high school participating in lacrosse, field hockey and track. She scored her 100th goal during her senior season of lacrosse and led the team in assists with 43. She earned multiple all-central league awards and three all-DELCO recognitions.
Off the field she was a member of the National Honor Society as well as an honor roll student taking AP courses. Breslin had one of the top three GPA’s on the Haverford high school lacrosse team. In addition to academics and sports, Breslin found time to volunteer at AviCares and was a volunteer coach and referee for the Haverford Recreation Department for both field hockey and lacrosse.
“The reason I chose ODU is because ODU is going to teach me how to be my best, on the field, in the classroom, and as I grow as a person.”
Anna Davis – King of Prussia, Pennsylvania // Upper Merion High School
Davis was also a three-sport athlete participating in basketball, lacrosse and soccer. During her senior season she was chosen as a team captain and was the second highest goal scorer on the team. She led the team in caused turnovers making the 1st Team All-League squad and earning the defensive MVP award.
Anna put in as much time in the classroom as she did on the field, making honor roll all four years and earning the 7th Congressional District Student-Athlete Award. She also was a member of the National Honor Society and the Language Honor Society.
“I chose ODU because I loved the initial home-like feel I got on campus. It’s the perfect sized academically accredited school. The coaches were so welcoming and the facilities were more than I could have imagined. Overall the university really seemed to value and support all their athletic programs which I really appreciate.”
Megan Donohue – Lititz, Pennsylvania // Manheim High School
Donohue played lacrosse all four years for her high school while also participating on the Xtreme Lacrosse club team. She was a three-time 1st team league all-star from 2014-2016.
Off the field she was an academic first honor roll student and earned Academic All-American accolade in 2015. Donohue also found time in her busy schedule to volunteer at the Pleasant View Retirement Community.
“I chose ODU because I felt at home on campus, and really thought that I could reach my full potential academically and athletically here.”
Morgan Everitt – Stafford, Virginia // Stafford High School
Everitt was a three-time team captain for her high school team while also playing for the STORM Elite club team. During her career she earned all-area and all-district accolades three consecutive times and in 2016 was named an all-region player.
“I decided on Old Dominion because it had the exact academic programs I wanted to pursue and a fantastic lacrosse team that not only felt like a team, but a family. The campus and facility are fantastic as well and everyone is so kind and willing to help if you ever need anything. Old Dominion feels like an extended home, as well as a place I can grow as a person.”
Michelle Hallman – Sicklerville, New Jersey // Paul VI High School
Hallman played lacrosse four years for Paul VI high school while also playing for the South Jersey Devils Lacrosse club. She completed her high school career with 159 goals including 53 scored during her senior season. As a junior she scored her 100th career goal on her way to earning the team MVP award. Hallman was a captain her junior and senior years and was name to the 1st team all-conference squad both seasons.
Off the field Hallman was an academic honor roll student and volunteered in the community. Some of her service included serving meals to homeless at Cathedral Kitchen, community trash pick-up events and volunteer coaching for the TOPS Soccer Program, a program for children with disabilities to learn and play soccer.
“My first impression of Old Dominion was a place that captures all I want in a university; diverse academic majors, many extracurricular programs and school spirit. I was confident this university would allow me to grow academically, socially and athletically. My first impressions were reinforced with each visit. I knew I wanted to be at ODU and I put all my effort into becoming a Monarch.”
Mary Katherine “MK” Maloney –Gwynedd, Pennsylvania // Mount Saint Joseph Academy
Maloney was a four-year varsity starter for her high school lacrosse and soccer teams while also participating on the Ultimate Goal Lacrosse club. She joined the 100-plus goal scoring ranks her senior year as a team captain earning her the most dedicated award. Collected several accolades throughout the years including rookie of the year (’13), AACA all-star (’14 &’16) and earned the Abby O’Beirne award.
In the classroom, Maloney was an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. She was also named the Athletic Association President in 2016.
“I chose Old Dominion because I love the big campus and the various majors it has to offer. There is always something new going on at ODU, and changes and improvements are constantly being made. Additionally, I am excited to join the women’s lacrosse team because I love Coach Holt’s coaching style and intensity. Being a part of a team at ODU is going to make it the all-around perfect fit for me.”
Katie Martin – Feeding Hills, Massachusetts // Agawam High School
Martin was a three-sport athlete at Agawam high school in lacrosse, soccer and skiing, as well as participating on the Lax Plus Lacrosse club. She was the second leading scorer in division I western Massachusetts during her senior season. As a junior she collected many accolades including US Lacrosse All-American, all-league, all-western Massachusetts and several more. Martin was also the leading goal scorer of division 1 western Massachusetts with 85 goals and 26 assists in 2015.
Off the field, Martin was an honor roll student and earned the “Academic A” award by maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher all four years.
“I chose ODU because of how modern the campus was and I really liked the energy and determination Coach Holt gave off. Also, being from New England, I wanted to be in a warmer climate and near the ocean.”
Haley Rineer – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania // Central Dauphin High School
Rineer was a four-year varsity starter for her high school team and also played for the Xtreme Lacrosse club in the attack and midfield positions. She led her high school team as a junior in scoring with 75 points on 55 goals and 20 assists. As a senior she led the Mid-Penn conference in scoring with 105 points on 68 goals and 37 assists. Finished her high school career with 247 points (174 goals and 73 assists) while leading the team to their first ever Mid-Penn conference championship.
“I am so blessed to be a part of the ODU lacrosse team. My first time on campus I met a couple amazing teammates and Coach Holt made me feel right at home. ODU has the perfect location and offers great opportunities for me to further my education.”
Brooke Stein – Millersville, Maryland // Severna Park High School
Stein was a four-year varsity starter for her high school lacrosse team and participated on the Bay Area Lacrosse club team. In addition to lacrosse, she spent three years on the varsity indoor track team and one season on the junior varsity field hockey team. Helped her lacrosse team become the Maryland State 4A high school champions in 2014 and ’15. Earned spots on the WNT School Girls DC Metro team (’14) and the Under Armour All-America 2016 Uncommitted team.
In the classroom, Stein participated in the Minds in Motion program and was a top scholar athlete. During her spare time she volunteered as an assistant coach for the Bay Area Lacrosse 2019 club team as well as a trip contributor for the Habitat for Humanity Mission.
“I chose ODU because I knew it was the right fit for me. Immediately after visiting I felt comfortable on campus and with the girls on the team. The coaching staff was exactly what I was looking for and I knew that they had full confidence in the future progress and success of their program!"