Cincinnati, Ohio – February 5, 2015: Three St. Ursula Academy seniors participated in a national letter of intent signing ceremony on Thursday, February 5, 2015.
Anna Ficker of Anderson Twp., daughter of David and Angela Ficker, has committed to play volleyball at Division 2 Ohio Dominican University.
Sarah O'Shaughnessy of Hartwell, daughter of Peter and Eileen O’Shaughnessy, has committed to play soccer at Division 3 Baldwin Wallace University.
Natalie Souleyrette of Wyoming, daughter Paul and Melissa Souleyrette has committed to play lacrosse at Division 3 College of Wooster.
Anna Ficker will play volleyball next year at Ohio Dominican University. During her freshman year, Anna played volleyball on the SUA freshman team. By sophomore year, she moved to the Varsity Team, where she played as a starter through her senior year.
Anna broke the Saint Ursula school record for the most single game service aces with nine (9) in the game against Centerville in September 2014.
In the GGCL, Anna earned a 2012 Honorable Mention and 2014 Honorable Mention. In 2012, she was named to the Best Players List of Southwest Ohio High Schools and in 2012, 2013, and 2014 was named to the Under Armor watch list.
With her club team, Tri-State Elite, Anna played in the Volleyball Nationals in 2012 and 2014. She attended USA All-Skills Camp in Las Vegas in 2012, part of the USA A2 program in Colorado Springs in 2013, and part of the USA A3 program in Colorado Springs in 2014.
Off the court, Anna volunteered as a Bulldog Buddy tutor in 2013, 2014, and 2015. She was assistant volleyball coach for the 6th grade at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in 2013, head volleyball coach for the IHM 7th grade in 2014, and head volleyball coach for the IHM 8th grade in 2015.
Kevin Lucas, Anna’s Varsity Coach at Saint Ursula Academy and club coach at Tri-State Elite, said this about her, “Anna is one of the most fearless and tenacious defenders we have ever had at SUA. Her hustle and competitive spirit made those around her better each day. Anna holds the single game record for service aces with 9. Her 47 service aces this season led the team and was the second highest single season total in SUA history. Anna did not miss a start in three full varsity seasons and was twice named GGCL Honorable Mention. Anna will be an immediate impact player at Ohio Dominican. We will miss her greatly at SUA.
Sarah O’Shaughnessy will play soccer next year at Baldwin Wallace University. She played soccer for the Junior Varsity Team at Saint Ursula in 2011 and 2012. She was a member of the 2012 GGCL Championship Team.
Sarah continued to play soccer with her club team, Ohio Elite. Her team earned an award as 2013 C-A-S-L College Showcase Finalists in Raleigh, NC. She helped her team become 2013 Disney College Showcase Finalists in Orlando, FL and 2014 Ohio State Cup Semi-Finalists.
Off the field, Sarah earned first and second honors in all four years at Saint Ursula and is a member of the National Honor Society. During her years at SUA, she was a member of the Senior Book Club. She was a 2013 and 2014 student volunteer at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She is also a member of the 2014-2015 Hamilton County Youth Court.
Her Ohio Elite Coach Scott Sievering said this about Sarah, “Sarah is an extremely dedicated and selfless athlete. She plays every game with the intensity and effort to do everything that she can to represent herself in such a way that empowers the entire team. Sarah has been a loyal part of our club since the very beginning of her playing career and we are extremely proud of her as a player, as a student, and as an individual!”
Natalie Souleyrette will play lacrosse next year at the College of Wooster. Natalie is a 3-year Varsity player at Saint Ursula Academy and is a strong defender. In addition to playing for Saint Ursula, Natalie plays for Midwestern Lacrosse where she was team captain her freshman year.
Off the field, she has been named a Saint Ursula Bulldog Star, a special award given to students who exemplify the ideals of SUA. She also has earned second honors.
She is a member of the Peer Advisory Leader (PAL) student organization, is a Bulldog Buddy tutor and a member of the Girls Athletic Association (GAA).
Her Saint Ursula Academy lacrosse coach, Todd Graham, said this about Natalie, “As a three-year starter for Saint Ursula’s Varsity Lacrosse program, Natalie has been a true force on the defensive end of the field. She is a player not only her teammates could count on, but her coaches as well. Watching her grow into a team leader from her sophomore season until now, both on and off the field, has been fun to watch and experience. Nat's grace on the field, along with a humble yet strong drive to win, has helped the SUA lacrosse program to new heights and I’m sure she’ll continue this at the College of Wooster. Best of luck this season and at the next level."
Her Midwestern Lacrosse coach, Lisa Mitchelides said, “We are so proud of Natalie’s achievement. It seems like just yesterday that she came to play for us. She was an outgoing curly-topped kid who bound for success at the next level. Her work ethic is undying, her drive is never faltering and her passion for the game is on fire. All these traits are going to make her a great college player. The most important part is who she is as a person and that person will be a great teammate and a strong leader. We wish her well at Wooster.”