Nov. 13, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Seven high school seniors have signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll at Vanderbilt next fall and play lacrosse for Head Coach Cathy Swezey.
Swezey received commitments from Brandi Byner (Franklin, Tenn.), Alyssa Dunlap (Villanova, Pa.), Ellie Kraus (St. Davids, Pa.), Chelsea Lanzoni (Annapolis, Md.), Katie Mastropieri (Richmond, Va.), Sarah Tustin (Ambler, Pa.) and Abby Wheeler (Charlottesville, Va.) this week.
“We are very excited to announce our class of 2014,” Swezey said. “We are very enthusiastic about their level of talent and feel they will make an immediate impact on our program.”
The seven-member recruiting class includes prep standouts from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Tennessee. The Ensworth School’s Brandi Byner becomes the fourth player from Vanderbilt’s home state to join the Commodore lacrosse program.
The group has been lauded with multiple All-America honors and enjoyed great success throughout their high school careers. Alyssa Dunlap and Ellie Kraus, teammates at Radnor High School (Pa.), won the first Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state championship in 2009.
With Vanderbilt’s next incoming class secured, attention turns to the Commodores’ upcoming 2010 season. Coach Swezey’s team will open the year on Sunday, Feb. 14, when Duke visits Nashville.
See Coach Swezey’s comments on each member of the 2010 incoming freshmen class below.
Swezey on Byner (Ensworth School):
“Brandi Byner is a local player with a ton of upside. Her athleticism and speed are second-to-none. We know that she will develop quickly into a top player for our program.”
Swezey on Dunlap (Radnor High School):
“Alyssa Dunlap is an awesome defender. She is a phenomenal athlete with great field vision. She knows how to stay open to the help and has exceptional timing defensively.”
Swezey on Kraus (Radnor High School):
“Ellie Kraus has amazing speed and a great nose for the goal. She will be a great scoring threat coming out of the midfield.”
Swezey on Lanzoni (Annapolis Senior High School):
“Chelsea Lanzoni has the kind of breakaway speed that a coach dreams of in a lacrosse player. Her speed allows her to create great offensive opportunities. Her defensive playmaking ability will allow her to be a great all-around player.”
Swezey on Mastropieri (The Collegiate School):
“Katie Mastropieri is an outstanding attacker. She was being recruited by several top programs and we are very fortunate to have signed her. Her stick skills and scoring ability are second-to-none. She will have an immediate impact on our program.”
Swezey on Tustin (Hatboro Horsham High School):
“Sarah Tustin is a great 8-meter attacker. She has power and height that allow her to work her way in for good shots. She will be particularly dangerous one-v-one and when she is posting up in the 8-meter.”
Swezey on Wheeler (Western Albemarle High School):
“Abby Wheeler is coming off an ACL injury and we feel fortunate that we continued to recruit her despite her injury. She has great quickness in the 8-meter and creates great shot opportunities for herself. Her dedication and intensity will serve her well here.”
