Cincinnati, Ohio – Thursday, November 9, 2017 –– Several Saint Ursula Academy seniors participated in a signing ceremony on Thursday, November 9, 2017 to announce their intent to play college sports.
Hannah Bolinger of Green Township, daughter of Marc and Stephanie Bolinger, will play volleyball for Division 1 University of Cincinnati.
Anna DelGado of Clifton, daughter of Peter and Melanie DelGado, will swim for the Division 1 University of South Carolina.
Hannah Foster of Montgomery, daughter of Jim and Michelle Foster, will swim for the Division 1 University of Tennessee.
Ashley Voelkerding of Cleves, daughter of Tim and Connie Voelkerding, will swim for Division 1 University of Alabama
Hannah Bolinger will play volleyball for the University of Cincinnati in the fall. Hannah played on the Saint Ursula JV volleyball team as a freshman and jumped up to Varsity sophomore, junior, and senior years. She was co-captain of the team senior year.
In the GGCL, she earned honorable mention junior year and was named First Team All GGCL in her senior year. She was recently named to the First Team-All District and to the Third Team All-State.
Hannah also plays for the Tri-State Elite 17 blue team, which placed 13th at AAU Nationals.
Hannah is a great student too. She earned first honors in all completed semesters at Saint Ursula and is a member of the National Honors Society. She is involved in several student groups at school. She was a member of Student Council in 9th,10th, and 11th grades, and was a member of GAA all four years. She was also a member of the Life Club and Competitive Crafting Club.
Hannah’s Saint Ursula Varsity Coach, Kevin Lucas, said this about Hannah, “Hannah has been a three year varsity starter at middle blocker. During that time, the Bulldogs have consistently ranked in the top 10 in Ohio. Hannah has a unique combination of size and speed that makes her one of the most dominant blockers in the state. Her 177 career blocks rank third all-time at SUA. In 2017, she was named 1st Team GGCL, 1st Team All District and 3rd Team All State. Hannah has made her mark on the SUA volleyball program. She has persevered through injuries and served as a great leader and example to our younger players. We are lucky she has chosen to play at Cincinnati where we look forward to seeing her continue her volleyball career.”
SUA Club Coach, Greg Ulland said “Hannah is smart, talented, committed and a truly gifted leader. I haven't come across a teammate of Hannah's that didn't truly love playing with her. She has the unique ability to hold others accountable, all the while supporting them with positivity. I wouldn't trade my time with her for any other player and she has left a remarkably positive impact on me as a coach.”
Anna DelGado will swim for the Division 1 University of South Carolina. Anna was a Varisty member of the Saint Ursula Swimming and Diving Team all four years. She was also a member and scoring participant at the OHSAA state championship three times.
In the GGCL, Anna earned First Team All GGCL and Second Team two times. She is part of the team that holds the Saint Ursula school record in the 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relays and was part of the State Runner-up team when these records were set.
A member of the Cincinnati Marlins for 12 years, Anna also is a Marlins record holder in the 400 free relay, 800 free relay, and 200 medley relay.
She is actively involved at Saint Ursula, as well where she is a member of the Girls Athletics Association (GAA), Students for Advancement (SFA), the Fellowhip of Christian Athletes (FCA), and Best Foot Forward (BFF) clubs.
Her Saint Ursula Coach, Ann Gartner, said this: “Anna has made significant contributions to the swim team at St. Ursula since her freshman year. We have always been able to count on Anna for being at her best whenever the stakes are the highest. Anna is a tremendous competitor who thrives on challenges, and always demonstrates that attitude for her teammates. Anna has really grown as an athlete and has tremendous potential to further her swimming career at the University of South Carolina. We are expecting great things from her as a senior, and a captain at St. Ursula this season. Anna will continue to be a leader and do all she can to ensure our success this season for the Aquadawgs..”
Her Cincinnati Marlins Coach, Brad Isham, said, “Anna brings a great competitive spirit to the pool. Her toughness and determination have allowed her to enjoy many impressive accomplishments and much success. She brings a fun, spirited nature that lifts up her teammates every day. Anna will take these great qualities to continue as an incredibly successful student-athlete at the University of South Carolina. ”
Hannah Foster will swim for the Division 1 University of Tennessee. She swam three years for Saint Ursula Academy. She was a member of the SUA team that finished as OHSAA State Runner-Up in 2015 and 3rd place overall in 2016.
In the GGCL, Hannah earned several Awards. She was named 2016 First Team All-Conference. In 2015, Hannah was named Second Team All-Conference. She was also named First Team All-Conference for the 100 Yard Backstroke, 200 Yard Medley Relay, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay.
Hannah’s Regional and All-State Awards include:
2015-16 NISCA/Speedo Girls High School Swimming All-American
2015-16 Ohio State High School Championships (Finalist)
2015-16 First Team All-State | All-District | All-City
2014-15 NISCA/Speedo Girls High School Swimming All-American
2014-15 Ohio State High School Championships (Finalist)
2014-15 First Team All-State | All-District | All-City
She swims with the Mason Manta Rays. Her Club Team Accomplishments include:
2017 Speedo Junior National Championships (Finalist)
2017 Phillips 66 National Championships and World Championship Trials (Qualifier)
2017 ISCA Junior National Championship Cup (Champion)
2016-17 USA Swimming Scholastic All-America Team
2016 Speedo Winter Junior Nationals- East (Finalist)
2016 Speedo Junior National Championships (Finalist)
2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials
2016 ISCA Junior National Championship Cup (Finalist)
2015-16 USA Swimming Scholastic All-America Team
2015 Speedo Winter Junior Nationals- East (Finalist)
2015 NCSA Junior National Championships (Finalist)
In school, Hannah is also a strong student. She is a member of the National Honor Society at Saint Ursula Academy.
Her Saint Ursula Coach, Ann Gartner, said this about Hannah: “Hannah is a very talented swimmer, who has always set the best example for her teammates through her competitive spirit and outstanding work ethic. Hannah has set high standards for herself and continually works to live up to those standards. She is always striving to be the best swimmer, student and person she can be. Hannah can be counted on to do all she can to be a big contributor to the Aquadawg success this season. And there is no doubt she will carry those same attributes to the University of Tennessee and the be the best Volunteer she can be.”
Her Mason Manta Rays coach, Brad Ken Heis, said, “Hannah is an amazing human being! She has a very special family, and she’s an incredibly gifted person – one who is extremely competitive yet humble, incredibly driven all while being a kind & caring teammate. Hannah is one of the all-time best female swimmers Ohio has ever seen. She has dominated in her best events and even outshined many of Ohio’s best in her off events. I feel blessed to work with her and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes at the University of Tennessee!”
Ashley Voelkerding will swim for Division 1 University of Alabama. A four year swimmer with Saint Ursula Academy, Ashley is a two time Bulldog Award Winner in 2016 and 2017.
She has earned several All-American designations. As a freshman, she was named All American in the 400 free relay, 200 free relay, and 100 fly. As a sophomore, she was named All American in the 200 free relay, 200 medley relay, 100 fly, and 200 free. Junior year, she was again named All American in the 200 free and 200 medley relay.
She is part of the team that holds the Saint Ursula school record in the 200 Free Relay and also hold the team record in the 100 fly.
Ashley made GGCL 1st team All-Star all 3 years, and was named 2016 GGCL female swimmer of the year. She earned All Ohio Awards in all four of her events sophomore and junior years.
Ashley also trains with her club, the Cincinnati Marlins, where she is team captain. She is a Junior National qualifier in the 200 free and 100 fly. She is a member of the USA swimming scholastic All-America Team. She holds short course records in the 13-14: 800 free relay and 15-18: 400 free relay. She also holds long course records in the 13-14 200 medley relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay, the 15-18: 200 medley relay, 200 free relay and Open category in the 200 medley relay, 200 free relay.
She is very involved at Saint Ursula in several clubs and student outreach. She is President of the Social Justice Club and Secretary of the National Honor Society. She joined Saint Ursula on a mission trip to Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Ashley is a member of the SUA Sportsmanship and Integrity Committee, a member of the Campus Ministry Club, a Peer Leader (PAL), Student Ambassador, and co-founder of the popular Bulldog Boost Fair Trade Coffee Shop. She also volunteers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Her Saint Ursula Coach, Ann Gartner, said this about Ashley: “Ashley is an incredible swimmer who has had a positive impact on the SUA program since her first meet as an Aquadawg. Not only is she talented swimmer, but she also has a tremendous work ethic and competitive spirit. She has always set the highest example for her teammates and coaches. She is a strong leader, in enthusiasm and attitude. Ashley is the complete teammate, and has always been willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the team's success, and that attitude is reflected in her being elected as a captain. Ashley is a very versatile swimmer, who excels in many events, and is a huge contributor on relays. She also applies the same outstanding work ethic on the academic side, and is always contributing to life at St. Ursula. Ashley will continue to thrive at the University of Alabama, and she will also be a big contributor to the Crimson Tide swim team.”
Her Cincinnati Marlins Coach, Brad Isham, said, “Ashley has a tremendous work ethic and commitment to being the best student-athlete she possibly can be. She is a natural leader by setting an example of the right way to go about achieving success at the highest level. She has earned the utmost respect from her coaches and teammates. Ashley will undoubtedly continue to enjoy great success at the University of Alabama.”
Saint Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. Saint Ursula welcomes students from more than 90 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Academy is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. The Class of 2017 earned college scholarships totaling more than $21-million.
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