Delaware Announces Signing Seven Recruits for 2009

NEWARK, DE -- University of Delaware women's lacrosse coach Kim Ciarrocca (at right) has announced the signing of seven high school standouts who will join the team in the fall of 2008. The newcomers include defensemen Kendall Bailey, Torie Machikas, and Gracie Wills, midfielders Quinn Daly, Rachel Molina, and Marissa Villano, and attack Blair King.

Bailey, a defenseman from Central Bucks East High School in Doylestown, PA, earned a second-team all-league spot as a junior in 2007, helping guide the Patriots to a 12-8 record.

"Kendall is a 5'11" defender who has a lot of speed," Ciarrocca says. "We are looking forward to her coming here and helping us on defense."

Daly, a native of Medford, NJ, was an honorable mention All-American as a junior at Shawnee High School in 2007. The midfielder was named first-team all-league, first-team all-county, and second-team all-state for the 20-2 Renegades, who finished last season ranked No. 15 in the nation by LaxPower.com and have gone 14-0 so far in 2008.

"Quinn possesses a lot of speed and will lead the midfield at UD" Ciarrocca says. "She plays great defense and is a prolific scorer as well."

King, an attack from Cockeysville, MD, was Dulaney High School's top scorer as a junior in 2007, when she led the squad to a berth in the state championship game. Her Lions went 13-3 last season after winning a state title in 2006.

"Blair has a great shot and will be an asset to our offensive unit," Ciarrocca says.

Machikas, a native of Glenmoore, PA, was named Germantown Academy's co-Most Valuable Player as a junior last season. She shined on defense for the 17-7 Patriots and is also a member of the PA Express club lacrosse team.

"Torie is a strong defender who can match up on anyone and do a great job," Ciarrocca says. "She is a very smart player."

Molina, a midfielder from Sparta, NJ, was Sparta High School's Most Valuable Player as a sophomore two years ago, when she was also an All-Stripes Division pick. She starred for the Tri-State Lacrosse Club in 2007.

Ciarrocca lauds Molina as "a very fast defender who has good vision of the field."

Villano, a native of Long Valley, NJ who played four years of lacrosse at West Morris Central High School, was a second-team All-Iron Hills Conference pick as a junior in 2007. She led the Highlanders to a 14-9 record last season.

Ciarrocca calls Villano "an amazing athlete who will see playing time quickly at UD."

Wills comes to UD from Baltimore, MD, where she excelled as a defender for St. Paul's School For Girls. According to LaxPower.com, the Gators played the toughest schedule in the nation in 2007. Wills also played alongside King with the Skywalkers Lacrosse Club.

"Gracie can help lead the midfield in transition," Ciarrocca says. "She has a great sense for the game."

The Blue Hens, who went 11-6 this season en route to a berth in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, will lose just two seniors from this year's squad. The seven incoming freshmen will join a deep, talented roster that will feature three All-CAA performers in midfielder Emily Schaknowski, defender Ange Gaeta, and goalkeeper Jessica Cerveny.

University of Delaware Women's Lacrosse 2008 Recruiting Class:

Kendall Bailey, D, Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks East: Four-year starter on defense for Central Bucks East lacrosse team…second-team All-Suburban One League selection as a junior in 2007, when she was also named to the Bucks County Intelligencer's second team…Patriots went 12-8 in 2007 and were ranked among the top 30 in Pennsylvania by LaxPower.com…team captain as a senior in 2008.

Quinn Daly, M, Medford, NJ/Shawnee: Four-year letter-winner in lacrosse at Shawnee High, where she also played soccer…honorable mention All-American pick as a junior in 2007, when she was named first-team all-league, first-team all-county, and second-team all-state for the 20-2 Renegades…first-team all-league and second-team all-county during her sophomore year…has led Shawnee to a 14-0 record this season and a No. 5 national ranking from LaxPower.com…Renegades ranked 15th in the nation by LaxPower.com in 2007, t-18th in 2006, and t-14th in 2005...squad has gone 75-5-1 (.932) in her three-plus years at Shawnee.

Blair King, A, Cockeysville, MD/Dulaney: Earned four letters on attack for a Dulaney team that won a state title in 2006 and made the state final in 2007…Lions' leading scorer as a junior in 2007, when the team went 13-3 and was ranked 12th in Maryland by LaxPower.com…Dulaney, which has gone 12-3 so far this season, has amassed a record of 59-11 (.843) in King's time at the school…played alongside fellow UD recruit Gracie Wills with Skywalkers club team.

Torie Machikas, D, Glenmoore, PA/Germantown Academy: Four-year starter on defense at Germantown Academy…named team's Most Outstanding Defensive Player and co-Most Valuable Player as a junior in 2007, leading Patriots to 17-7 record….team ranked 20th in Pennsylvania last season by LaxPower.com…team captain in 2008…four-year member of PA Express club lacrosse team that placed fourth in the 2007 National Draw…also excelled in basketball and volleyball at Germantown.

Rachel Molina, M, Sparta, NJ/Sparta: Started for four years at Sparta High, where she was a first-team All-Stripes Division selection as a sophomore in 2006…Spartans' Most Valuable Player in 2006…team is off to a 12-2 start this spring…starred on attack and defense for the Tri-State Lacrosse Club in 2007…also a standout midfielder in soccer.

Marissa Villano, M/D, Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central: Four-year letterwinner at West Morris Central…named second-team All-Iron Hills Conference and second-team All-Morris County as a junior in 2007…Highlanders, who went 14-9 last season and are 12-6 this spring, have ranked among New Jersey's top 30 teams in each of Villano's four years.

Gracie Wills, D/M, Baltimore, MD/St. Paul's School For Girls: Earned four letters in lacrosse at St. Paul's School For Girls, perennially one of Maryland's top teams…Gators went 10-8 last season while playing one of the nation's toughest schedules…team ranked No. 7 in Maryland by LaxPower.com…played with King for Skywalkers club team.