WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Head coach Kassie Bellaver announced six players who have signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball at West Chester University next fall. The fourth-year mentor of the Golden Rams is excited about the possibilities of this class as she continues to build her spikers into a PSAC championship contender.
Helen Fitzpatrick, Brooke Foskey, Samantha Ingersoll, Lexi Kegerise, Morgan Litak and Kelly Martin join a team that went 24-10 a year ago and finished second in the PSAC East standings behind Lock Haven. The Golden Rams reached the PSAC Tournament for the third consecutive season, but fell to Shippensburg in the quarterfinals.
“These six players will be expected to perform immediately,” Bellaver said. “They should help the team achieve another very successful season.”
Fitzpatrick is a 6-foot setter and one of two transfers into the Golden Rams’ program. She was the Pennsylvania State Gatorade Player of the Year in high school before signing with University of Delaware. Fitzpatrick appeared in 11 games for the Blue Hens a year ago. She recorded 17 assists and four digs in nine matches. She was a three-time, first team all-state performer in high school.
“Helen is a proven winner and leader,” Bellaver said. “She brings out the best in her hitters. She is a consistent setter who will lead this team.”
Foskey is a 5-10 outside hitter from the Old Line State, who set both county and school records amassing more than 1,000 kills during her high school career. A three-year team captain, Foskey was a four-time all-county selection at North East High School.
“Brooke is a very versatile player who can play all three positions up front,” Bellaver lauded. “She has a fantastic arm swing.”
Ingersoll is the other transfer into the program, who spent the spring season as a shortstop on the softball team where she led all Division II in doubles per game. On the volleyball court, the 5-10 outside hitter was a first-team all-state performer with more than 1,000 kills to her credit in high school. She did not play volleyball at the University of North Carolina, so she returns to the sport after a two-year hiatus.
“Sam is a superb athlete,” Bellaver beamed. “Her speed allows her to cover the outside or middle, and she has a great arm swing as well.”
Kegerise is a 5-10 outside hitter who holds Perkiomen Valley High School record with more than 1,200 career kills. Kegerise was a two-time Bicentennial League MVP.
“She has an explosive vertical jump,” Bellaver divulged. “Kegerise is an excellent athlete, who can play all six positions in the rotation.”
Litak the lone back row player in Bellaver’s recruiting class. The defensive specialist was a District XI and Northampton County all-area performer at Liberty High School where she started on the varsity squad all four years.
“Morgan is a quick and reliable defender,” Bellaver said. “She is consistent and accurate with her passes.”
Martin is the only Canadian citizen among West Chester University’s student-athlete population. The 6-0 middle hitter was part of the Ontario Provincial Championship team in 2007 and 2008. She was also a member of the East Coast national championship squad in 2007.
“Kelly brings height and athleticism to the middle,” Bellaver explained. “She has tremendous blocking technique and execution.”
Bellaver believes this group will help the Golden Rams compete for the Eastern Division title with traditional power Lock Haven as well as move West Chester past the first round of the playoffs, where it has made an exit in the postseason in each of Bellaver’s first three seasons on the bench.
West Chester opens the 2009 fall slate on Sept. 1 at home against Bloomfield University at 7 p.m. inside Hollinger Field House. The Golden Rams then travel to the Kutztown Tournament that weekend (Sept. 4-5) to take on Philadelphia University and Elizabeth City State.
The Golden Rams are on the road for much of the month of September before coming home for a 12-game homestand in the month of October.
2009 West Chester University Volleyball Recruiting Class
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Hometown/High School |
| Helen Fitzpatrick |
S |
6-0 |
Springfield, Pa./Merion Mercy Acad. [Univ. Delaware] |
| Brooke Foskey |
OH |
5-10 |
Elkton, Md./North East |
| Samantha Ingersoll |
OH |
5-10 |
Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge [Univ. North Carolina] |
| Lexi Kegerise |
OH |
5-10 |
Trappe, Pa./Perkiomen Valley |
| Morgan Litak |
DS |
5-5 |
Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty |
| Kelly Martin |
MH |
6-0 |
Whitby, Ontario, Canada/Donald A. Wilson |
