Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
WIldcats Add Six For 2015 Season
1/9/2015 12:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
DavidsonPhotos.com
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson field hockey coach Ginny Turner has announced the addition of six freshmen for the 2015 season; Courtney Byler, Kristin Kisa, Emily Morgan, Leigha Nortier, Bean Rodriguez and Kate Singletary. The six newcomers will join a group of 19 returning players from last season.
"I am thrilled to welcome this amazing class to DCFH," said Turner. "They have exceptional talent, tremendous leadership and a strong passion for success. This class will add a lot of dynamic to our roster and their strength will help us be more powerful in the A-10 conference."
Courtney Byler
Defense | Virginia Beach, Va. | Norfolk Academy
A five-time letterwinner at Norfolk Academy, Byler will join the Davidson defensive unit in the fall. Byler led the Norfolk Academy to its first ever VISSA Division I State Championship as a senior captain to earn Tidewater Conference Player of the Year, VISSA Division I Player of the Year and Max Field Hockey's 2014 Mid-Atlantic Regional Defensive Player of the Year. Byler, a three-time first team all-conference pick, a two-time first team all-state pick and a one-time first team all-Tidewater pick, concluded her career with 35 goals and 27 assists. She is also a standout on the Norfolk Academy lacrosse team, earning all-conference accolades. Off the field, Byler garnered field hockey academic All-America status as a senior, was named a Chesapeake Bay Fellow and is a three-time National Spanish Exam Bronze Medalist. Her father, Chad played baseball at Messiah College and her mother, Eileen was a member of the soccer team at Messiah College.
Turner on Byler:
"Courtney is a fantastic defender whose composure and strength on the ball will help our defensive unit right away. Courtney has excellent fundamentals and great game sense. She will be able to distribute the ball well out of our backfield."
Kristin Kisa
Forward/Midfield | Virginia Beach, Va. | Princess Anne
Kisa was a four-time letterwinner at Princess Anne High School. The 5-2 forward led her team to a state championship in 2014 to earn Virginia 5A Player of the Year and Atlantic Conference Player of the Year. Kisa garnered first team all-state, first team all-region, first team all-conference and first team All-Tidewater in her final two seasons. She served as a senior captain, and was named team MVP twice. Kisa was also a member of the varsity swimming team at Princess Anne. Off the field, the Virginia Beach, Va., native was a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society and the IB Diploma Program. Daughter of Erik and Kerry Kisa, she has a twin sister Jackie.
Turner on Kisa:
"Kristin is a feisty forward who has the ability to find the back of the cage from anywhere in the circle. She has a great touch on the ball in front of a GK and she works hard to not only set up a play, but finish it as well."
Emily Morgan
Midfield/Forward | Providence, N.C. | Carlisle School
Morgan was a four-time letterwinner at The Carlisle School. She earned all-conference and all-tournament honoree three times, and as a junior and senior she was tabbed all-state. Morgan set a single-season school record for most goals with 29 as a senior. The Providence, N.C., native was named the teams' MVP in her last two seasons. Morgan is a member of the National Honor Society, and was named a Junior Marshall for finishing in the top-five percent of her graduating class. Daughter of Jennifer Curtis, Morgan has a brother Andrew and a baby sister Ember.
Turner on Morgan:
"Emily is one of the most passionate players I have ever seen. She puts her heart into everything she does on the field and always gives 110%. She has great speed and will push the players around her to work harder. Emily's ability to shoot the ball and also recover well on defense will add a lot of energy to our midfield."
Leigha Nortier
Midfield | Hershey, Pa. | Hershey High School
Three-year letterwinner at Hersey, Nortier served as the captain in her final season and registered five goals and five assists. She was coached by Chelton Hunter at the PA Mavericks and helped her club team to the 2013 national championship finals. She was named a 2013 Festival pool gold medalist as a junior. In 2014, Nortier made the Pennsylvania Keystone State team. Nortier is also a member of the track and field team. Off the field, Nortier is a member of the National Honor Society and is actively involved in several clubs including, the French Club, Future Business Leader's of America, the school newspaper and Young Democrats. Additionally, Nortier has been a referee and a student coach for the Hershey Youth Field Hockey Association for the past five years.
Turner on Nortier:
"Leigha is a strong player with a great presence on the ball. She is able to really turn on her speed with the ball and drives the baseline well. She will be a huge asset to our attacking unit adding great stick skills and scrappy play in front of the cage."
Bean Rodriguez
Goal keeper | San Antonio, Texas | Saint Mary's Hall
Rodriguez is a four-time letterwinner at Saint Mary's Hall where she earned all-conference status as a junior and all state status as a senior. The goalkeeper served as the captain in her final two seasons. As a senior, Rodriguez turned away 208 stops. She is also a four-year member of the girl's varsity soccer team. Rodriquez was a representative on the Honor Council and went on to served on the Senior Executive Committee in her senior year. She was the recipient of the Ben McMurrary Award. Daughter of Rick and Baily, Rodriguez has one sister, Samantha.
Turner on Rodriguez:
"Bean is a strong and vocal GK who will really make our attackers work. She is a very athletic, has solid fundamental skills and will push herself and our other GK's to pursue excellence every day."
Kate Singletary
Midfield | Winston-Salem, N.C. | Forsyth Country Day School
Singletary is a three-time letterwinner at Forsyth Country Day where she served as the captain of the field hockey team in her last two seasons. The midfielder garnered all-conference accolades three times and was named to the NC Independent Schools all-star team as a senior. Singletary was also named the team MVP as a junior. Also part of the varsity track and field team, Singletary went to the 2013 PACIS conference meet for discus and 800m run, before competing at the state meet for the 4x800m relay. Singletary is a 2014 FCDS Junior Marshall, and was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2014 before serving as the president in her senior year. She was also a member of the Société Honoraire de Français, the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society and the National Art Honor Society. Singletary was named a National Merit Scholar in 2014. An avid volunteer, Singletary is involved in many community service initiatives, including the FCDS Judicial Board, SCAN Club and the Children's Cancer Support group.
Turner on Singletary:
"Kate is a solid player who's strong fundamentals could lead her to see time in many different positions on the field. Kate has flashy stick skills, which will add a lot of flare to our game."
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson field hockey coach Ginny Turner has announced the addition of six freshmen for the 2015 season; Courtney Byler, Kristin Kisa, Emily Morgan, Leigha Nortier, Bean Rodriguez and Kate Singletary. The six newcomers will join a group of 19 returning players from last season.
"I am thrilled to welcome this amazing class to DCFH," said Turner. "They have exceptional talent, tremendous leadership and a strong passion for success. This class will add a lot of dynamic to our roster and their strength will help us be more powerful in the A-10 conference."
Courtney Byler
Defense | Virginia Beach, Va. | Norfolk Academy
A five-time letterwinner at Norfolk Academy, Byler will join the Davidson defensive unit in the fall. Byler led the Norfolk Academy to its first ever VISSA Division I State Championship as a senior captain to earn Tidewater Conference Player of the Year, VISSA Division I Player of the Year and Max Field Hockey's 2014 Mid-Atlantic Regional Defensive Player of the Year. Byler, a three-time first team all-conference pick, a two-time first team all-state pick and a one-time first team all-Tidewater pick, concluded her career with 35 goals and 27 assists. She is also a standout on the Norfolk Academy lacrosse team, earning all-conference accolades. Off the field, Byler garnered field hockey academic All-America status as a senior, was named a Chesapeake Bay Fellow and is a three-time National Spanish Exam Bronze Medalist. Her father, Chad played baseball at Messiah College and her mother, Eileen was a member of the soccer team at Messiah College.Turner on Byler:
"Courtney is a fantastic defender whose composure and strength on the ball will help our defensive unit right away. Courtney has excellent fundamentals and great game sense. She will be able to distribute the ball well out of our backfield."
Kristin Kisa
Forward/Midfield | Virginia Beach, Va. | Princess Anne
Kisa was a four-time letterwinner at Princess Anne High School. The 5-2 forward led her team to a state championship in 2014 to earn Virginia 5A Player of the Year and Atlantic Conference Player of the Year. Kisa garnered first team all-state, first team all-region, first team all-conference and first team All-Tidewater in her final two seasons. She served as a senior captain, and was named team MVP twice. Kisa was also a member of the varsity swimming team at Princess Anne. Off the field, the Virginia Beach, Va., native was a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society and the IB Diploma Program. Daughter of Erik and Kerry Kisa, she has a twin sister Jackie.Turner on Kisa:
"Kristin is a feisty forward who has the ability to find the back of the cage from anywhere in the circle. She has a great touch on the ball in front of a GK and she works hard to not only set up a play, but finish it as well."
Emily Morgan
Midfield/Forward | Providence, N.C. | Carlisle School
Morgan was a four-time letterwinner at The Carlisle School. She earned all-conference and all-tournament honoree three times, and as a junior and senior she was tabbed all-state. Morgan set a single-season school record for most goals with 29 as a senior. The Providence, N.C., native was named the teams' MVP in her last two seasons. Morgan is a member of the National Honor Society, and was named a Junior Marshall for finishing in the top-five percent of her graduating class. Daughter of Jennifer Curtis, Morgan has a brother Andrew and a baby sister Ember.Turner on Morgan:
"Emily is one of the most passionate players I have ever seen. She puts her heart into everything she does on the field and always gives 110%. She has great speed and will push the players around her to work harder. Emily's ability to shoot the ball and also recover well on defense will add a lot of energy to our midfield."
Leigha Nortier
Midfield | Hershey, Pa. | Hershey High School
Three-year letterwinner at Hersey, Nortier served as the captain in her final season and registered five goals and five assists. She was coached by Chelton Hunter at the PA Mavericks and helped her club team to the 2013 national championship finals. She was named a 2013 Festival pool gold medalist as a junior. In 2014, Nortier made the Pennsylvania Keystone State team. Nortier is also a member of the track and field team. Off the field, Nortier is a member of the National Honor Society and is actively involved in several clubs including, the French Club, Future Business Leader's of America, the school newspaper and Young Democrats. Additionally, Nortier has been a referee and a student coach for the Hershey Youth Field Hockey Association for the past five years.Turner on Nortier:
"Leigha is a strong player with a great presence on the ball. She is able to really turn on her speed with the ball and drives the baseline well. She will be a huge asset to our attacking unit adding great stick skills and scrappy play in front of the cage."
Bean Rodriguez
Goal keeper | San Antonio, Texas | Saint Mary's Hall
Rodriguez is a four-time letterwinner at Saint Mary's Hall where she earned all-conference status as a junior and all state status as a senior. The goalkeeper served as the captain in her final two seasons. As a senior, Rodriguez turned away 208 stops. She is also a four-year member of the girl's varsity soccer team. Rodriquez was a representative on the Honor Council and went on to served on the Senior Executive Committee in her senior year. She was the recipient of the Ben McMurrary Award. Daughter of Rick and Baily, Rodriguez has one sister, Samantha.Turner on Rodriguez:
"Bean is a strong and vocal GK who will really make our attackers work. She is a very athletic, has solid fundamental skills and will push herself and our other GK's to pursue excellence every day."
Kate Singletary
Midfield | Winston-Salem, N.C. | Forsyth Country Day School
Singletary is a three-time letterwinner at Forsyth Country Day where she served as the captain of the field hockey team in her last two seasons. The midfielder garnered all-conference accolades three times and was named to the NC Independent Schools all-star team as a senior. Singletary was also named the team MVP as a junior. Also part of the varsity track and field team, Singletary went to the 2013 PACIS conference meet for discus and 800m run, before competing at the state meet for the 4x800m relay. Singletary is a 2014 FCDS Junior Marshall, and was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2014 before serving as the president in her senior year. She was also a member of the Société Honoraire de Français, the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society and the National Art Honor Society. Singletary was named a National Merit Scholar in 2014. An avid volunteer, Singletary is involved in many community service initiatives, including the FCDS Judicial Board, SCAN Club and the Children's Cancer Support group.Turner on Singletary:
"Kate is a solid player who's strong fundamentals could lead her to see time in many different positions on the field. Kate has flashy stick skills, which will add a lot of flare to our game."
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