UAlbany's Sean Halpin Finishes Sixth in Men's 1,500-Meter Run at USA Junior Nationals

Des Moines, Iowa - University at Albany's Sean Halpin placed sixth in the men's 1,500-meter run final at the USA Junior National Track & Field Championships on Saturday, June 26 at Drake Stadium.

Halpin, an 18-year-old who just finished his freshman year, hit the tape in 3:53.00 and improved his placing by two positions after running the eighth-fastest time in the second of two heats in yesterday's preliminary round which unexpectedly produced the afternoon's top-10 marks. Princeton's Peter Callahan won the race by finishing in 3:46.42, while Elias Gedyon followed closely behind in 3:47.65.

"Yesterday, the first heat was very slow and I knew that (advancing past) the qualifying round depended on my time," explained Halpin, who changed his approach by staying in the back of the group and passing runners in this evening's race after getting off to a quick start and leading the pack at the beginning of yesterday's qualifying round. "I just made sure I had a good time in yesterday's race. Tonight, I told myself that timing wasn't important and that it was all about running the race and staying in the right position among the other competitors. It feels really good to be named an All-American. This was my goal from the start, and I feel like all of my hard work has paid off."

A native of Mount Vernon, N.Y., Halpin qualified for the national event by winning the mile at the Great Dane Classic in 4:08.77 on Jan. 22. He was named the Most Outstanding Male Track Performer of the Meet as well as the America East Conference Male Performer of the Week for his efforts. Halpin was also a key member of several winning relay teams in his first collegiate season. Indoors, he ran a leg for the victorious 4x800-meter relay squad at the IC4A Championship to help the Great Danes clinch the team title for the second straight year. Outdoors, he competed on the first-place 4x800-meter relay at the America East championship meet and earned all-conference laurels.

UAlbany has produced eight junior All-Americans, including Halpin, Tyler Fogarty, John Moore, Joe Greene, Alyssa Lotmore, Ryan Gaedje, Jessica Ortman, and Jenna Ortman, since 2004.

Men's 1,500-Meter Final Results

1. Peter Callahan (Princeton), 3:46.42, 2. Elias Gedyon (Quiet Fire TC), 3:47.65, 3. Darius Terry (Unattached), 3:48.26, 4. Colby Alexander (unattached), 3:50.89. 5. Taylor Monaghan (Oklahoma State) 3:51.59, 6. Sean Halpin (UAlbany) 3:53.00, 7. Zachary Dahleen (Southern Illinois), 3:54.97, 8. Ryan Hagen (Virginia Tech) 3:55.78, 9. Alex Taylor (Appalachian State), 3:58.32, 10. Paul Reilly (Unattached), 3:58.38, 11. Joseph Bubniak (Syracuse), 4:04.76, 12. Jacob Wike (Wichita State), 4:15.82.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Track & Field's Valete Graham Named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Third Team

Towson, Md. - University at Albany's Valete Graham has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men's Track & Field and Cross Country third team, as announced on Tuesday, June 22 by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The horizontal jumper is the track & field program's second student-athlete to garner the national recognition after distance runner Andy Allstadt was named to the second team four years ago.

Graham, a senior from Bronx, N.Y., graduated with a 3.70 grade point average as a psychology major and was recently honored as UAlbany's 2009-10 Co-Male Athlete of the Year. He made the 2008 and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Men's All-Academic Track and Field Team and was named the 2009 America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in outdoor track and the 2010 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year in indoor track. A member of five America East all-academic teams, Graham was a 2010 ECAC Merit Medal winner as the school's top senior male student-athlete and a recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award.

During the outdoor season, Graham won his third straight long jump title at the America East championship by leaping 24-feet, 7.75-inches, becoming just the second athlete to accomplish the feat in league history. The indoor and outdoor team MVP also placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 47-8. Graham, who was eighth in the long jump (23-9.50) at the IC4A Championship, ended his career with a 22nd-place finish in his premier event (24-3) at the NCAA East Preliminary Round. His mark of 24-9.25 in the long jump at the 2009 America East championship is a school record.

Graham was also impressive during his final indoor campaign, accumulating 18 points at the America East championship. He garnered all-conference laurels twice by winning the long jump with a leap of 23-6 and placing second in the triple jump with a mark of 47-10. He also led the Great Danes to their second consecutive title at the IC4A Championship by registering a fourth-place mark of 23-2.75 in the long jump. UAlbany was the first program to win back-to-back IC4A crowns since Georgetown in 2000, and remains the only America East institution to win the championship. In addition, Graham broke the program standard in the long jump by leaping 24-6.50 at the Great Dane Classic.

UAlbany has placed 12 student-athletes on national Academic All-America teams since upgrading to the Division I level in 1999-2000. Graham is the second Great Dane to be selected this month, as women's lacrosse midfielder Olivia Jarem earned a spot on the at-large second team.

University at Albany's Academic All-Americans (Division I)
Baseball
Eddie Scott (2002, 3rd team)

Football
J.T. Herfurth (2000, 1st team)
Ryan MacLean (2002, 2nd team)
Victor Camacho (2003, 1st team)
David Parks (2003, 2nd team)

Men's Soccer
Stephan Hall (2005, 1st team)
Stephan Hall (2006, 1st team)

Softball
Amber Maisonet (2008, 1st team)

Men's At-Large
Emil Bove (2002, 2nd team, lacrosse)

Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Andy Allstadt (2006, 2nd team)
Valete Graham (2010, 3rd team)

Women's At-Large
Olivia Jarem (2010, 2nd team, lacrosse)



Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

UAlbany Volleyball's Laurie Gonzalez Competes on United States Women's A2 Team

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Laurie Gonzalez, who recently completed her sophomore year with the Great Danes, earned a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Women's National A2 Red Team at he USA Volleyball Open National Championships held at the Phoenix Convention Center from May 29-June 1.

Gonzalez, a two-time America East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, was a member of the 24-player National A2 volleyball program that trained in Tempe, Ariz. from May 24-28. The group was split into two 12-member rosters for the open championships. The A2 Blue Team won the tournament title.

"Playing with the A2 for the second time was even better than the first time," said Gonzalez, who was making her second appearance with the national squad. "I had the opportunity to play with some of the top volleyball players in the nation and compete in a higher level. Its a great educational & competitive experience, it gave me an idea of what it's like in the next level."

The athletes were selected from a group of participants at the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held back in February at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Gonzalez was one of 175 athletes in attendance.

"I had the opportunity to learn new skills that I can bring to my UAlbany team and make us all better," said Gonzalez, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico. "In general, playing with the A2 team is a physical & mental challenge that only made me better. I made new friends, met some amazing people and played some great volleyball."

Gonzalez and the Great Danes will return to action in August. Entering her junior season, Gonzalez will look to lead UAlbany to a third straight America East Conference regular season title. UAlbany finished 22-9 last season with back-to-back undefeated conference records.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Olivia Jarem Selected to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women's At-Large Team

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Olivia Jarem has been selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women's At-Large second team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Thursday, June 10. Jarem is the first UAlbany lacrosse player in program history to earn Academic All-America recognition.

Jarem has a 4.00 cumulative grade point average in psychology with a minor in education. She recently received a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, one of 13 females honored nationwide, and plans to study sports psychology as a graduate student at Ithaca College. Jarem was the recipient of UAlbany's Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award as the school's top senior female student-athlete and the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. She was chosen to both the District I Women's At-Large and America East Conference Women's Lacrosse all-academic squads.

A senior from Clifton Park, N.Y., Jarem totaled 31 goals and four assists for the nation's second-ranked scoring offense. She finished 10th among the conference leaders in goals. She led the Great Danes to their first-ever top-20 national ranking, a school-record 13-3 season and the program's first America East Conference regular-season title. Jarem tallied two or more goals in 11 contests and posted a .534 shot percentage.

UAlbany has placed eleven student-athletes on national Academic All-America teams since upgrading to the Division I level in 1999-2000. Jarem is the second woman to be selected, as Amber Maisonet made softball's national first team in 2008.

University at Albany's Academic All-Americans (Division I)
Baseball
Eddie Scott (2002, 3rd team)

Football
J.T. Herfurth (2000, 1st team)
Ryan MacLean (2002, 2nd team)
Victor Camacho (2003, 1st team)
David Parks (2003, 2nd team)

Men's Soccer
Stephan Hall (2005, 1st team)
Stephan Hall (2006, 1st team)

Softball
Amber Maisonet (2008, 1st team)

Men's At-Large
Emil Bove (2002, 2nd team, lacrosse)

Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Andy Allstadt (2006, 2nd team)

Women's At-Large
Olivia Jarem (2010, 2nd team, lacrosse)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Nikki Branchini, Tim Bush & Valete Graham Chosen 2009-10 UAlbany Athletes of the Year

Albany, N.Y. - Nikki Branchini, an All-America lacrosse defender, Tim Bush, an all-conference wide receiver, and Valete Graham, a conference long jump champion, have been selected the University at Albany's 2009-10 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, as announced on Thursday, June 10. The athletes were chosen in voting by the head coaches of the school's Division I 19-sport intercollegiate athletic program.

Branchini, a junior from Guilderland, N.Y., was named to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-America third team, the first UAlbany player at the Division I level to be selected. She was picked by womenslacrosse.com as the Division I Defender of the Year and made the IWLCA's All-North Region first team. Branchini was chosen America East Conference Player of the Year and made her third consecutive appearance on the all-conference first team. She added 10 goals and three assists in leading the Great Danes to their first-ever America East Conference regular-season title, a school-record 13-3 campaign, and the program's first national top-20 ranking. She ranks among the NCAA national leaders in draw controls (second, 4.93 pg), ground balls (sixth, 3.27 pg) and caused turnovers (ninth, 2.07 pg).

A senior from Bronx, N.Y., Graham won his third consecutive America East Conference outdoor long jump championship. He leaped 24-feet, 7.75-inches to become the second athlete in league history to win three titles in a row. He also placed fifth in the triple jump (47-8) as the Great Danes captured their sixth straight America East outdoor title, a conference record. Graham was even more proficient during the indoor season when he led UAlbany to the IC4A and league championships. The Great Danes became the first program to win back-to-back IC4A indoor crowns since 2000. He won the America East indoor long jump and was fourth at the IC4A meet in the same event. Graham, the track program's indoor and outdoor MVP, owns the school's indoor record (24-6.50).

Bush, a senior from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., shares the UAlbany male athlete award with Graham. He was voted first-team All-Northeast Conference for the second consecutive season. He caught 63 passes for 861 yards and three touchdowns, as the Great Danes posted a 7-4 record and finished second in the conference standings. Bush became the first UAlbany player to make 60-plus catches in back-to-back seasons and had four 100-yard receiving games, tying the second-best single-season mark. He hauled in five passes for 101 yards in a 20-16 comeback win over No. 20 Maine. Bush established a school record for career receptions with 147, breaking a standard previously set in 1997, and finished third on the program's all-time receiving yards list with 1,880.

University at Albany Athletes of the Year (Division I)
2009-10: Male: Tim Bush (Football) & Valete Graham (Track & Field), Female: Nikki Branchini (Lacrosse)
2008-09: Male: Joe Greene (Track & Field), Female: Michelle Simpson (Field Hockey)
2007-08: Male: Brian Lillis (Basketball), Female: Amber Maisonet (Softball)
2006-07: Male: Frank Resetarits (Lacrosse) & Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Casey Halloran (Softball)
2005-06: Male: Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball) & Casey Halloran (Softball)
2004-05: Male: Luke Daquino (Lacrosse), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball)
2003-04: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Andee Lindgren (Softball)
2002-03: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Teresa Covert (Track & Field)
2001-02: Male: Chris Phillis (Football), Female: Amy Di Micco (Field Hockey)
2000-01: Male: Michael Oliva (Baseball), Female: Dawn Di Micco (Basketball/Lacrosse)
1999-00: Male: Todd Cetnar (Basketball), Female: Megan Buchanan (Basketball)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Baseball Second Baseman Brian Bullard Named 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American

Tucson, Ariz. - University at Albany second baseman Brian Bullard was named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Baseball Team, as announced by the organization on Wednesday afternoon.

Bullard, who started 47 games for the Great Danes this season, was named to the America East Conference Second Team and was an all-rookie selection. He finished second on the team with a .326 average, recording 58 hits, including nine doubles and four home runs. He scored 37 runs and drove in 32 more, while also stealing eight bases on the season.

Bullard, a native of West Nyack, N.Y., was one of nine freshman second basemen from around the nation to be selected to the team.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New York Giants and UAlbany Agree on Deal to Hold 2010 NFL Training Camp on Campus

Albany, N.Y. - The New York Giants and the University at Albany jointly announced on Tuesday, June 8 an agreement to hold training camp at the University at Albany this summer. The arrangement also includes a two-year option to have the Giants train on the UAlbany campus through 2012.

With an agreement in place, the New York Giants are traveling to UAlbany for the fifteenth consecutive summer, the longest period at one site in the team's training camp history. The Giants previously spent thirteen summers at Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. from 1975-87. The Giants, who have also trained in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Oregon, previously worked out at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey prior to their arrival on the UAlbany campus.

"Albany has been an ideal summer home for our football team," said Giants President John Mara. "With the support of President Philip and his predecessors and Mayor Jennings and the rest of the staff at the university, in addition to the great facilities, we have felt for 15 years that starting our season in Albany gives us the best chance to succeed each season."

"I can't say enough about the cooperation we receive from the university and its staff," said Coach Tom Coughlin. "The spirit of a common purpose and objective allows our team to get the work done that is necessary for us to compete at the highest level at the outset of the season. Our coaches and players appreciate the opportunity the University at Albany affords us to be the best we can be."

"We look forward to our continued relationship with the Giants, and to another successful year," said UAlbany President George M. Philip. "Giants summer training camp enriches our campus life and contributes to the vitality of the Capital Region."

"The New York Giants' training camp at UAlbany has become part of the fabric of the Capital Region," said Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings. "The countless number of fans that live in Upstate New York have an opportunity to watch and interact with players, and, ultimately, form a greater bond with their team. I congratulate the Giants organization and the administration of UAlbany for their continued commitment to our great All-America Capital City."

The Giants have trained on the UAlbany campus, just 2 1/2 hours north of the New Meadowlands Stadium, since 1996. In the 14 years that the Giants have trained at UAlbany, the preseason camp has averaged more than 33,000 fans per summer. The camp attendance mark of 46,960 was established last year, the fourth time figures have surpassed 40,000-plus. One of the fields used is now known as Mara-Tisch Field, and was dedicated on Aug. 16, 2007 in honor of the team's former owners Wellington Mara and Robert Tisch.

In 2010, the Giants begin workouts on Sunday, August 1 with a single afternoon practice at 3:15 p.m. The three-week camp concludes on August 20. Giants training camp will feature five evening practices. The first night practice is slated for Thursday, Aug. 5, at 6:05 p.m. All five sessions are preceded by a morning workout at 8:35 a.m. The other day-night workouts are scheduled for August 7, 9, 11 and 13. The entire training camp schedule can be accessed through www.giants.com or www.ualbanysports.com.

As has been the routine in previous camps, the Giants will not practice on the days following preseason games. On the day before a preseason game, the team will hold a one-hour jog-thru session. The Giants will practice 16 days on campus, including seven double sessions.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany's Dave Brock Selected By Toronto in Sixth Round of Major League Lacrosse Draft

New Haven, Conn. - University at Albany's Dave Brock was taken in the sixth round of the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft by the Toronto Nationals on Sunday, June 6. Brock, the 36th overall selection, becomes the sixth player in the UAlbany program's history to be chosen in the MLL Draft.

Brock, who played both attackman and midfielder in his two-year career with the Great Danes, earned second-team All-America East Conference recognition during the 2010 campaign. He was also named to the America East all-championship squad after leading his team to the conference tournament final. Brock ranked sixth in the conference in goals (2.12 pg) and 10th in scoring at 2.50 points per game.

Brock, who shared the team's MVP award with defenseman Mark Kelly, led UAlbany in scoring with 34 goals and six assists, plus had a .301 shooting percentage and 37 ground balls. A native of Burlington, Ontario, Brock netted three or more goals six times as a senior, including a career-high four against league opponents Hartford and UMBC. He accounted for a career-best four points against five opponents.

Paw Prints: UAlbany's John Fallon Field will host a Major League Lacrosse regular-season game between the Chicago Machine and the Long Island Lizards on Saturday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for Saturday's game between the Machine and Lizards are available by contacting the MLL office at (866) MLL-TIXX or by visiting majorleaguelacrosse.com/buytickets/.

UAlbany's Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft Selections
Frank Resetarits (2007 MLL, Long Island-3rd)
Jordan Levine (2008 MLL, New Jersey-1st)
Brett Queener (2008 MLL, Rochester-5th)
Corey Small (2009 MLL, Toronto-3rd)
Chris Schongar (2009 MLL, Toronto-5th)
Dave Brock (2010 MLL, Toronto-6th)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Field Hockey Coach Phil Sykes Announces Three Student-Athletes Have Signed For 2010

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head field hockey coach Phil Sykes announced today that three student-athletes have signed for the 2010-11 academic year. Corrine McConville, Samantha Rimback and Daphne Voormolen have all signed National Letters of Intent.

McConville will be the fourth member of the UAlbany squad from Lehighton High School in Pennsylvania. McConville was the Mountain Valley Conference's Most Valuable Player in 2009 after leading the Indians to the conference, district and state championships. Lehighton claimed the conference and district titles three out of McConville's four years on the team, and the midfielder earned all-conference first-team honors in each of those three seasons. A two-time all-state first-team member and was an all-region selection as a junior and senior, she earned All-America status in 2009. A two-time team MVP, McConville was the Times News Player of the Year as a senior and was also a player of the week for two local news organizations.

Rimback, a goalkeeper from Washington, N.J. was a three-year letterwinner at Warren Hills High School. She helped lead the Streaks to their first Tri-County Tournament title and the first Skylands Conference championship since 2001. Rimback was a member of the 2009 squad that won the New Jersey Group III North II sectional title after posting a record-breaking 22-win season. As a senior, Rimback made 16 saves in the Streaks' first New Jersey State Final appearance since 2003. Rimback recorded 338 career saves with an .820 save percentage. She was an all-conference first-team selection, as well as earning All-West Jersey and North Jersey second-team accolades. Rimback, who was also a member of the Edge Field Hockey Club, where she won a National Indoor Tournament Title, was an All-Warren County honoree and was named to the All-Group III Third Team.

Voormolen is a forward from Rotterdam, Netherlands. She has been a member of Rotterdam's top club level team the past three years and has helped guide her squad to three straight national championships, including the 2007-08 finals. From 2004-07, Voormolen was a member of Rotterdam's second team, which won both an indoor and outdoor championships. Voormolen, who has been playing field hockey since the age of nine, accompanied her team on a training trip to Madrid, Spain, in February 2010.

"We are very excited about our 2010 incoming class," said head coach Phil Sykes, who has led UAlbany to back-to-back America East Conference regular-season titles. "We are returning a very seasoned team and this class will add a great deal to it. Our offense and midfield will get a nice boost of speed, goal scoring ability and dynamic skills. And our defense will add some quality goalkeeping depth. This coming season looks very promising."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Track & Field's Valete Graham Voted to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I Team

Philadelphia, Pa. - University at Albany's Valete Graham has been named to the ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America Men's Track & Field Team, as announced on Thursday, June 3 by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Graham, who helped UAlbany capture eight America East Conference championships and three IC4A crowns over the last four years, was chosen to the all-district first team for the second straight season.

Graham, a senior horizontal jumper from Bronx, N.Y., graduated with a 3.70 grade point average as a psychology major. He made the 2008 and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Men's All-Academic Track and Field Team and was named the 2009 America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year outdoors and the 2010 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year indoors. A member of five America East all-academic teams, Graham was a 2010 ECAC Merit Medal winner and a recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award.

During the outdoor season, Graham won his third straight long jump title at the America East championship by leaping 24-feet, 7.75-inches, becoming just the second student-athlete to accomplish the feat in league history. He also became the first UAlbany student-athlete to claim three straight crowns in an individual event at the championship. He also placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 47-8. Graham who was eighth in the long jump (23-9.50) at the IC4A Championship and ended his career with a 22nd-place finish in his premier event (24-3) at last week's NCAA East Preliminary Round. His mark of 24-9.25 in the long jump at the 2009 America East meet is a school record.

Graham was as equally impressive during his final indoor campaign, accumulating 18 points at the America East championship. He garnered all-conference laurels twice by winning the long jump with a leap of 23-6 and placing second in the triple jump with a mark of 47-10. He also led the Great Danes to their second consecutive title at the IC4A Championship by registering a fourth-place mark of 23-2.75 in the long jump. UAlbany was the first program to win back-to-back IC4A crowns since Georgetown in 2000, and remains the only America East institution to win the championship. In addition, he broke the program standard in the long jump with a first-place mark of 24-6.50 at the Great Dane Classic.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Nicole Kothe and Gina Mason Garner America East Softball All-Academic Team Laurels

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Nicole Kothe and Gina Mason were named to the America East Conference All-Academic Softball Team, as announced on Wednesday, June 2 by the conference office. Both student-athletes, who are members of the America East Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll and the UAlbany Athletic Director's Honor Roll, helped the Great Danes advance to the America East Tournament for the ninth season in a row.

Kothe, a senior psychology major and four-year starting outfielder who graduated with a 3.67 cumulative grade point average, is making her second consecutive appearance on the America East all-academic squad. A three-time NFCA Academic Scholar-Athlete, Kothe made the 2009 and 2010 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team. She carried minors in sociology and education and served on the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). A native of Middletown, N.Y., Kothe posted a career batting average of .240 with 113 hits, 50 RBIs, six homers and 72 runs scored. Defensively, she registered a .964 fielding percentage by committing just seven errors in four years.

Mason, a junior first baseman from Sacramento, Calif., has a 3.37 GPA as a journalism major with a minor in communication. She has been a three-year starter at first base and has not missed a start in the last two seasons. An NFCA Scholar-Athlete, Mason was named to the All-America East first team this spring after making the all-conference second team in 2009 and the league's all-rookie squad in 2008. She led the Great Danes in several offensive categories this season, including batting average (.342), home runs (8), RBIs (30), hits (40), runs scored (24), slugging percentage (.607) and on-base percentage (.444). Mason enters her senior campaign ranked on several of the program's top-10 lists, including fourth in career home runs (21), tied for fifth in RBIs (100) and tied for eighth in doubles (25).

To be nominated for the distinction, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve for their team and participate in at least 50 percent of their team's games or competitions. In the classroom, student-athletes must have a 3.30 GPA and have completed at least one calendar year at their institution.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse's Kayla Best Will Play in IWLCA All-Star Game; Lindsey Hart Serves as North Head Coach

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Kayla Best has been selected to play in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Division I North-South All-Star Game, as announced on Wednesday, June 2 by the IWLCA. UAlbany's Lindsey Hart will serve as head coach of the North squad. The all-star contest will be played at the United Sports Training Center, located in Downingtown, Pa., on Saturday, June 12 at 12 noon.

Best is the second UAlbany player to earn All-America East Conference recognition four times. A senior midfielder from Guilderland, N.Y., she was a member of the all-conference first team for the third season in a row. Best, who had 36 goals and five assists, ranked sixth among the America East leaders in goals per game (2.25). She netted three or more goals on six occasions this year and posted a .507 shooting percentage. Best is second on the school's all-time scoring list with 188 points and third in goals with 155. She is also among the program's career top 10 in assists, caused turnovers and draw controls.

Hart was voted the 2010 America East Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Great Danes to their first-ever conference regular-season title and the top seed for the league's postseason tournament. UAlbany established the school's single-season record with a 13-3 mark, went undefeated in America East regular-season play, and was ranked in the IWLCA (#19) and Inside Lacrosse (#17) national polls for the first time in the program's Division I history.

A native of Vineland, Ontario, Hart had seven players chosen to the all-conference team, including the league's player of the year. UAlbany ranked second nationally in scoring (15.1 goals per game), plus fourth in scoring margin and sixth in scoring defense. Hart has a 46-37 career record. Her teams have reached the eight-win mark in all five years under her direction, including this season's school-record total that broke a mark that had stood since 1998. According to the computer rankings, UAlbany was rated fourth among the most improved Division I programs this season.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Volleyball Coach MJ Engstrom Announces Four Student-Athletes Have Signed For 2010 Season

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head women's volleyball coach MJ Engstrom announced today that four student-athletes have signed for the 2010-11 academic year. Kaley Jacobson, Lindsey McCloskey, Vanessa Sheffield and Tamara Weems have all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Great Danes next year.

A 5-foot-9 setter from Watertown, Wis. and a four-year letterwinner, Jacobson was a two-time captain and was the Public School Athlete of the Year in 2010. Jacobson helped lead Watertown to the Little 10 Conference Championship in 2007 and 2009, and guided the Goslings to the 2007 Wisconsin Division I State Championship in 2007. Jacobson is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Society.

"As a setter, Kaley has a great feel for her hitters, tremendous court sense and is extremely competitive," Engstrom explained. "She's a very exciting player to watch and has the leadership skills required for the setting position."

McCloskey, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, was a three-year letterwinner at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Calif. A senior captain, McCloskey helped guide the Chargers to the CIF Southern Section Championship Quarterfinals in 2007 and the second round in 2009. She was also a captain of the SCVA High Performance Club team in 2009, and played for five years on the TCA SC Volleyball Club. McCloskey, who was also a member of the soccer, basketball, softball and swimming programs, competed in the USA Junior Olympics for five straight years from 2005 to 2009. She was also an ocean lifeguard for the City of Huntington Beach for five years.

"Lindsey has been successful in one of the toughest leagues in the nation," Engstrom said. "I look for her to have an immediate impact in both the front and back row this season."

Sheffield, who committed to the Great Danes during the early signing period in November, is a 5-foot-10 outside hitter hailing from Oswego, N.Y. A two-time team captain, Sheffield was a three-time Section III Class AA All-CNY All-Star and an All-American League first-team selection in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Sheffield, who also played for the Onondaga Storm Volleyball Club, was named the Section III CNYCL American League Player of the Year as a junior and senior and earned All-State Class AA honors in 2009. Also a letterwinner in basketball and track and field, Sheffield was a member of the National Honor Society and was a high honor roll student as a scholar-athlete, posting a 3.70 grade point average.

"Vanessa is an outstanding athlete with huge potential and I'm very happy that we have another New York State player on our roster," Engstrom said.

Weems, a 6-foot middle blocker and middle hitter, is a two-time captain of Bishop McNamara High School in Upper Marlboro, Md. "Tamara is the second player from Bishop McNamara to become a Great Dane," Engstrom state. "She's very quick both laterally and off the floor and we predict will have an immediate impact in the front row."

A four-time letterwinner, Weems finished her career with 447 kills, 114 blocks, 241 digs and 153 service aces. She was the team's most valuable player in 2008 and 2009, and earned Washington Catholic Athletic Conference first team honors in those same seasons. As a junior, Weems was named first-team All-Prince George's County before earning county Player of the Year accolades as a senior. She was also an honorable mention All-WCAC selection and earned all-county second-team honors in 2007.

"I am very excited about the class of 2010 because they have the potential to make significant contributions this season," Engstrom explained. "All four have a tremendous work ethic, are very athletic and have great attitudes."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information