Bucknell University Athletics
Six Newcomers to Join Bison Volleyball Team
5/31/2002 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
May 31, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - While Bucknell head volleyball coach Cindy Opalski is apprehensive about the thought of losing six talented seniors, including former Patriot League Player of the Year Shannon Walker, she is extremely excited about the arrival of a half-dozen members of the Class of 2006, each of whom should help soften the blow of the graduation hit.
The six incoming freshmen feature a long laundry list of honors and accomplishments at the high school and club levels. Now they will be challenged to exceed that production at the collegiate level for a Bucknell volleyball squad that has been among the Patriot League's elite for the last nine years.
"I am tremendously excited about this year's incoming class," Opalski said. "There are definitely some impact players in this class who should step right into a significant role. I am really looking forward to see what each of them can contribute this fall."
Bucknell in 2001 finished 12-13 (7-7 Patriot League) and qualified for the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 4 seed. The Bison, who captured league championships in 1998 and 2000, open their 2002 campaign Friday, Aug. 30 at the Buffalo Invitational.
Below is an alphabetical listing of Bucknell's newcomers, along with many of their prep accomplishments.
Chelsea Anderson (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Torrey Pines H.S.) - 5'8" OH/DS ... potential impact player who was a three-time all-league and scholar-athlete selection at Torrey Pines H.S. ... selected first team all-county as a senior ... team was a state finalist and ranked No. 2 in the nation last year ... squad captured California Interscholastic Federation county titles in 1999 and 2001 and reached finals in 2000 ... two-time junior national beach volleyball champion ... won 28 beach tournaments in California between 1998-2002 ... named team captain twice in high school and four times in club volleyball ... named 1998 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School Athlete of the Year after starring in volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball and football.
Courtney Clark (Tuscaloosa, Ala./Holy Spirit Catholic H.S.) - 6'0" MB ... athletic performer looking to make an impact in the middle ... earned four letters each in volleyball and basketball and two each in soccer and tennis at Holy Spirit Catholic H.S. ... volleyball team captured state championships in 1999 and 2000, as well as a regional title in 2001 ... first team all-state pick as a senior ... served as team captain ... two-time recipient of Titan Award ... two-year captain of basketball team ... received WNBA Sportsmanship Award in 2001.
Becky Fisher (Stamford, Conn./Darien H.S.) - 6'0" MH/OH ... terrific athlete who hails from an excellent prep program at Darien H.S. ... team captured four division titles, three conference titles and three state championships during her career ... was a team co-captain both as a junior and senior..... first team all-state as well as all-conference and elected MVP by her teammates ... MVP in both the Fairfield County league championship game and Connecticut State Championship match during senior year ... co-captained Connecticut Juniors program... Gatorade player of the year in the Connecticut Senior All-Stars.
Christie Keil (St. James, N.Y./Smithtown H.S.) - 5'10" RS/S ... versatile prospect who will lend depth at the setter position as well as a formidable block on the right side ... team captain, all-county and all-league pick at Smithtown H.S. on Long Island ... team captured league titles in 2000 and 2001, and in 2000 won the Long Island title and placed third at the state championships ... led team in assists, hitting percentage and serving, while ranking second in blocks ... team captain of Suffolk Stars club team in 2000, as well as Long Island United in 2001 and 2002 ... was also a three-year varsity starter in lacrosse, earning all-county and all-league accolades ... brother, Norman Keil, is an all-conference performer on Penn State's men's volleyball team that has reached the NCAA semifinals three years in a row.
Jessica Le (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion H.S.) - 5'7" DS/S/OH ... extremely versatile performer who can play every position on the floor ... tremendous quickness makes her an outstanding defensive player ... three-year letterwinner at Red Lion H.S., near York, Pa. ... team captain of division and county championship squad ... team placed third at district tournament ... first team all-county and all-district selection ... second team all-state pick ... broke school assist record.
Amanda Rowe (Wilmington, Del./Archmere Academy) - 5'10" MH ... good prospect who will add depth in the middle ... two-year letterwinner for coach Bill Strickland at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Del. ... second team All-Catholic League ... named to Delaware State All-Star Team.
