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Mercyhurst College Adds Eight for 2009 Season
Erie, Pa. –
Mercyhurst College head coach Curtis Robinette announced the
addition of eight student-athletes to the Lakers' women's water
polo team for the 2009 season.
Hope Rozelle (San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo),
Laura Perez (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley),
Nikki Nelson (Naperville, Ill./Naperville
Central), Alyssa Katerberg (Grandville,
Mich./Jenison), Tara Bouma (Jenison,
Mich./Jenison), Laura Hennessey (Lansdale,
Pa./North Penn), Kimmy Goodhart (Reading,
Pa./Reading) and Jessica Clemente (Sinking Spring,
Pa./Wilson) bring a great deal of talent and depth to a
Lakers' squad that graduated six seniors this past spring.
A 5'-8" goaltender, Rozelle led her squad to a second place finish
in the Palomar League with 323 saves and a .657 save percentage
last season. For her efforts, Rozelle earned spots on the
All-Palomar and All-CIF First Teams while garnishing a spot on the
San Diego Section Second Team.
Perez was a key utility player over the past several seasons for
Mother McAuley. In 2008 she was named a First Team NISCA
All-America selection and the MCAC Senior Player of the Year. She
also made four consecutive appearances on the All-State team.
A 5'-9" driver, Nelson transfers to Mercyhurst after spending a
year with the club water polo team at Illinois State University in
Naperville, Ill. Prior to college, Nelson was a prolific player at
Naperville Central High School, burying 213 goals with 125 assists
and 259 steals. She was an All-State and All-Section honoree three
times during her career.
Katerberg, a 5'-5" center, is transferring from Grand Rapids
Community College in Grand Rapids, Mich., where she took a year off
from competition. During her senior season at Jenison High School,
Katerberg reeled off 110 goals to earn spots on the All-Conference,
All-Region and All-State second teams. She was also elected to the
Selected Advance Newspapers All-Area Water polo team that same
year.
Bouma, a 5'-7" driver, reunites with former teammate Katerberg on
the Lakers’ roster this fall. A two-year varsity member in
high school, Bouma was picked to represent her team on the
All-Conference and All-West Region second teams her senior
season.
A 5'-6" driver from Lansdale, Pa., Hennessey brings a great deal
of championship experience to the Lakers. As a member of the North
Penn water polo team, she had a hand in her club’s
back-to-back state championships in 2006 and 2007 and three
consecutive Keystone Games Championships in 2006, 2007 and
2008.
Clemente, a 5'-8" goaltender, joins the Lakers after a successful
run at Wilson. During her career, Clemente helped her team to four
consecutive top-four finishes at states, claiming the state
championship in 2005-06. She earned several accolades during that
time including All-County and All-State Honorable Mention.
An All-Berks County and All-State team selection in 2007 for Reading H.S., Goodhart should be an immediate impact player at center for Mercyhurst this year.
