APPLETON, Wis. -- The Lawrence University volleyball team will welcome six talented newcomers when it takes the court this fall.
Joining Lawrence's 13 returning letterwinners are: Desiree Gehl, Emma Kane, Bethany Larsen, Shannon McLain, Jenna Picha, and Hallie Witmer.
"The 2009 class has numbers, talent, and experience," Lawrence head coach Matt Schoultz said. "The members of this class will give us competition at almost every position, something we have not had in the past. I am extremely excited about this class and the future of Lawrence volleyball."
Desiree Gehl, Three Lakes (Wis.) High School, 5-foot-10, Middle Hitter
Gehl was a four-year varsity player and three-year letterwinner for Three Lakes. Gehl was a three-time All-Northern Lakes Conference selection. She received honorable mention as a sophomore and was a second-team pick as a junior and senior. Gehl also was a four-year varsity basketball player and a three-year varsity soccer player. Gehl was named to the academic all-conference team, is a member of the National Honor Society, and received High Honors at Three Lakes. The daughter of Michael and Marie Gehl, she plans to major in psychology.
Emma Kane, Racine (Wis.) Washington Park High School, 5-7, Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist
Kane was a three-year varsity player and three-year letterwinner for Racine Park. The team captain as a senior, Kane earned first-team All-Southeast Conference and second-team All-Racine County recognition as a senior. She also competed in varsity softball as a freshman and varsity track and field as a sophomore. In the classroom, Kane is a three-year Scholar Athlete, received High Honors, was a 2008 All-Academic Team selection, and was named to the National Honor Society. Kane played club volleyball for Wisconsin Juniors Volleyball the last two years. The daughter of Mark and Colleen Kane and Venessa and Joe Palecek, she plans to major in either biology or psychology with a minor in Spanish.
Bethany Larsen, Kenosha (Wis.) Tremper High School, 5-10, Rightside Hitter
Larsen was a two-year varsity player and two-year letterwinner for Kenosha Tremper. Larsen helped her team capture the WIAA Division 1 state championship her senior year. Statistically, she led her team in blocks this past season and ranks seventh in career blocks at Tremper. Larsen, who played club volleyball for both Next Level Volleyball and Wisconsin Juniors Volleyball, also was a two-year letterwinner in track and field. Larsen has been named to the Honor Roll and is a member of the National Honor Society. The daughter of Scott and Anna Larsen, she plans to major in biochemistry (pre-medicine).
Shannon McLain, Kettle Moraine (Wales, Wis.) High School, 5-9, Outside Hitter
McLain was a two-year varsity player and two-year letterwinner at Kettle Moraine. McLain earned second-team all-conference accolades in the very competitive Classic Eight Conference her senior year. McLain, who has also competed in track and field, was named team MVP and led her team in kills this past season. In the classroom, McLain has been named to the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association All-Academic Team, is a member of the National Honor Society, and earned a place on the Honor Roll. She has also received the Dick Ohm Merit Award her last three years of high school. McLain played club volleyball for West Allis Lightning this past club season. The daughter of Gregory and Bethany McLain, she plans to major in environmental science.
Jenna Picha, Royall (Elroy, Wis.) High School, 5-10, Middle Hitter/Rightside Hitter
Picha was a three-year varsity player and three-year letterwinner for Royall. Picha was a first-team All-Scenic Bluffs Conference selection as a junior and senior and earned honorable mention as a sophomore. Picha led her team to Scenic Bluffs Conference and WIAA Regional championship her senior season. A four-year varsity basketball player (lettered all four years), Picha also was a four-year varsity softball player (lettered three years). A member of the Student Council, Picha has been named to National Honor Society, attended Badger State Girls, and received High Honors. Picha, who has played club volleyball for Wisconsin PoWer Volleyball, is the daughter of Don Picha and Doreen Bayer and plans to major in economics.
Hallie Witmer, Naperville (Ill.) North High School, 5-10, Rightside Hitter
Witmer has received Most Improved and Most Hardworking/Best Attitude Awards from her team at Naperville North. Witmer has excelled in the classroom and has been named an Illinois State Scholar. She also won Outstanding Spanish Student, the 4.0 Award, and has received High Honors. Witmer also has been nominated for the JKB and Brown Book Awards. Witmer has played club volleyball for Naperville Volleyball the past four years. The daughter of Neil and Mary Pat Witmer, she is undecided on a major.
Lawrence opens its season Sept. 1 when the Vikings travel to Mount Mary College.