St. Ursula Academy Seniors Participate in Fall Athletic Signing Ceremony

Cincinnati, Ohio – November 13, 2014: Five Saint Ursula Academy seniors participated in a signing ceremony on Thursday, November 13, 2014 to announce their intent to play college sports.

Natalie Danenhauer, of Western Hills, daughter of Karen and David Danenhauer, has committed to play volleyball at Cornell University in New York.

Marissa DelGado of Clifton, daughter of Melanie and Peter DelGado, has committed to swim for Division I University of South Carolina.

Carolyn Knollman of Delhi, daughter of Carla and Dan Knollman, will play volleyball for Division II Gannon University in Pennsylvania.

Carolyn Markley of Maineville, daughter of Jeanne and Skip Markley, will play golf for Division I Michigan State University.

Taylor Swope of Springdale, daughter of Monica and Rodney Swope, will play field hockey for Division I Indiana University.

Natalie Danenhauer will play volleyball next year at Cornell University. She was a three-year volleyball starter at Saint Ursula. She was named Second-Team All GGCL in 2013 and 2014. She was also named Third Team All District 2014 Senior All-Star and Honorable Mention All-State.

Natalie qualified for and attended the Girls Junior Olympic Championships in 2009, 2011 and 2014.

Off the court, Natalie is a strong student who earned first honors in every semester at Saint Ursula. She was recently named at 2014 National Merit Commended Scholar by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Additionally, she is senior class Co-president of Student Council, volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House through SUA’s Student Outreach Services (SOS), represents St. Ursula as a Student Ambassador, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Natalie’s Saint Ursula coach, Kevin Lucas, said this about her: “A three year starter at defensive specialist and libero for SUA, Natalie owns the career service aces record of 116. Natalie is one of the best first contact players we have had at SUA - her aggressive and accurate serving gets the other team out of system and her ability to receive serve keeps our offense running smoothly. She has been not only a tremendous talent but a great leader as well - Natalie keeps the team focused and pushes her teammates to achieve their goals. Cornell is lucky to be getting a person like Natalie in their program.”

Marissa DelGado will swim for the University of South Carolina next year. She is a four year varsity team swimmer at Saint Ursula and is the team captain for the current 2014-2015 season.

She earned GGCL recognition when she was named Second Team All-Star in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. She was named First Team All-Star in 2013-2014. She was a State qualifier and finalist in all four of her events since freshman year.

As a member of the Cincinnati Marlins, Marissa is a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American. She was a Junior National qualifier and is a team record holder in multiple events.

Last school year, she earned the Saint Ursula Bulldog Award for her leadership on the swim team. She is a good student and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is also a student representative for the Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Committee at SUA.

Her Saint Ursula coach, Ann Gartner, said “Marissa has made significant contributions to the St. Ursula swim team since her freshman year. She consistently sets the tone for our team through her work ethic, and her outstanding results at championship meets. Marissa's impact on the swim team is also evidenced by her being elected as a tri-captain for the 2014-15 season. There is no doubt that she will carry on those qualities and positive impact to the University of South Carolina."

Carolyn Knollman will play volleyball at Gannon University next year. Carolyn was a varsity starter at Saint Ursula for three years. This year, as a senior, she was team captain. Carolyn made Saint Ursula history when she broke the SUA single season assist record during the 2013 season. In 2014, she broke the St. Ursula all-time assist record!

The GGCL recognized her with a 2012 Honorable mention and First Team in 2013 and 2014. She made District 16 Second Team in 2013 and First Team in 2014. She was named All Ohio Second Team in 2014. In 2013, she also received a bid to play in the Nationals.

Off the court, Carolyn is active in Student Life at Saint Ursula. She was a member of Student Outreach Services (SOS) Rookie Club in her freshman year, she was selected as a Student Ambassador as a freshman, and has been a member of the Girls Athletic Association (GAA) all four years.

Her Saint Ursula coach, Kevin Lucas, said, “a three year starter at setter for SUA, Carolyn owns both the single season assist record of 773 set in 2013 and career assist record of 2172. Carolyn did not miss a start in three full varsity seasons and led SUA to consecutive district titles her junior and senior years. Carolyn has not only a great set of hands but also a great mind for the game - she has the ability to find the weakness in the opponent's defense and put her attackers in position to succeed. Carolyn will be an immediate impact player at Gannon - we wish her the best!

Carolyn Markley will play golf next fall at Michigan State University. Carolyn was a four year varsity starter for the Bulldogs. Her team leadership resulted in her selection as team captain in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Carolyn earned many awards playing for Saint Ursula. She tied for the lowest nine-hole scoring record with 32. She earned the lowest 18-hole score with 68. She also had the lowest nine-hole scoring average on the team in 2012, 2013 and 2014. She was named Saint Ursula Academy Athlete of the Week in 2014 and was the recipient of the Saint Ursula Coaches Award in 2013 and the Saint Ursula Bulldog Award in 2012.

In the GGCL, Carolyn was named GGCL Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014. She was a GGCL Tournament medalist in 2013 and 2014.

Other notable awards include Runner up at the High School State Championship in 2014 and fourth place in the State Championship in 2013. Carolyn was a Sectional Tournament medalist each of her four years from 2011 through 2014. She was named Southwest District Player of the Year on 2013 and 2014. She was chosen as Cincinnati Enquirer Player of the Year in 2013 and LaRosa’s Player of the Week in 2014. She was also named Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Women’s Sport Association Sportswoman of the Year in Golf in 2014.

In club competition, in 2014 Carolyn earned 2^nd place at the AJGA Championship at Boyne Highlands, 5^th place at the AJGA Memorial Championship at Longaberger, and was Semifinalist at the Cincinnati Women’s Metropolitan Championship. In 2013, she earned 3^rd place at the AJGA Championship at Crooked Creek Country Club. And in 2012, she earned third place at the AJGA Championship at Boyne Highlands and qualified for the Junior PGA Championship.

Carolyn has also been very involved in activities off the course. She is a 2014 tutor at the Academy of World Languages. She is Executive Manager of the Saint Ursula Academy Smoothie Shop, Starbarks, which opened this year.

Carolyn is a member of the SUA Mock Trial Team since 2011. She has represented the school as an Ambassador since 2012. Since 2012 she has also served as the Images Literary Magazine art and design coordinator and an In-School Service Events (ISSE) representative.

Carolyn’s Saint Ursula coach, Mark Hannahan, said, "Carolyn has compiled the best record of any golfer in SUA history. She might be the best female high school golfer ever from the Cincinnati metro area. Her golf accomplishments have been remarkable. She has served as team co-captain for three years and has been a wonderful mentor and example to the younger girls on the team. Carolyn is a young woman of character and integrity and I predict great things for her in the future."

Her club coach, Kevin Jones, had these words about Carolyn. " To be a ‘Champion’ you must study and act like one first. A Champion strives to find out how great she can be, talks soft but plays big, loves the battle more than the victory, hates to lose but is not afraid to lose, competes with purpose and passion, takes pride in her performance, learns from losses and failures, and takes ownership and responsibility for her actions. In everything that Carolyn encounters, she is truly a ‘champion’.”

Taylor Swope will play Field Hockey in the fall at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Taylor started on the JV Field Hockey Team as a freshman, but quickly moved up to the Varsity Team for her sophomore, junior and senior years. He skill on the field and in school earned her recognition as Academic All-Ohio in the GGCL. She was named to the All Conference 1^st Team, was named 2013 Cincinnati Enquirer Field Hockey Player of the Year, and as a senior was captain at the National Futures Championship, which she also participated in as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

In 2013, Taylor was named All-Ohio, Southwest Ohio Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the All Region All-America Team.

As a member of Field Hockey Life club, her team was the Regional Club Championship Runner-Up.

All all-around athlete, Taylor was also a member of the Varsity Track and Field Team all four years. Off the field, Taylor is a member of the CSTAT club, the Spanish Honor Society the Girls Athletic Association (GAA), the Earth Club, and Is a Peer Assistance Leader (PAL).

Her Saint Ursula coach, Jill Meiring, said "Taylor embodies everything an SUA student-athlete should possess. She works just as hard on the field as she does in the classroom, and excels at both. Her skills on the hockey field are top-notch, and her formidable presence against opponents will be missed next year. I can't wait to see her grow as an athlete, a student, and as a person at IU, and I know she will exceed expectations. Good luck, Taylor! The field hockey team, coaches and families are very proud of you! "

Her club coach, Keli Smith-Puzo, had these words about Taylor. "I could not be more proud of Taylor today. She is one of the most committed athletes that I have worked with. Her never ending work ethic and constant desire to improve is going to serve her well at the next level. She is going to be a wonderful Division I student-athlete and Indiana University is very lucky to get such a wonderful young woman."

Congratulations to all of our talented athletes. We wish them all the best as they compete at the collegiate level.

To learn more about St. Ursula Academy, please visit www.saintursula.org.

St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. St. Ursula welcomes students from more than 70 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2002 the Academy was 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 2014 earned college scholarships totaling more than $20-million.

###