Garlacy inks four to Class of 2017
Garlacy inks four to volleyball Class of 2017
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University head volleyball coach Theresa Garlacy is pleased to introduce the signing of four student-athletes who will suit up for the Bulldogs in the fall of 2013. The Class of 2017 brings together four players from four different parts of the country — including local standout Carissa Gould (Woonsocket, R.I.) — and includes additions to both the Black and Gold offense and defense as Bryant vies for its first postseason berth at the Division I level.
Introducing the Bryant University volleyball Class of 2017:
Carissa Gould l 5-2 l Defensive Specialist/Libero l Woonsocket, R.I./Mount St. Charles Academy
Gould was a four-year varsity starter at Mount St. Charles Academy … Helped lead the Mounties to four-straight Division I Northern League championships, including back-to-back undefeated 16-0 records in 2010 and 2011 … Team won the Rhode Island Division I state championship in 2009 … Gould's Mounties finished as state runner up in 2011 and 2012 … Team went 61-3 during the regular season through her four years … 2011 and 2012 first team all-league selection … First team all-state pick as a senior in 2012 … Second team all-state nod as a junior … Named third-team all-league as a sophomore in 2010 … Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year nominee as a senior … 2012 state championship all-tournament team selection … Senior captain and team MVP … Three-time state all-star game participant … Broke the school record for most assists in a game as a sophomore … Holyoke All-Tournament Team selection as a sophomore and junior and Tournament MVP as a junior and senior … Two-time 9/10 grade tournament MVP … Two-time AVCA High School Player of the Week as both a sophomore and a junior … Also a three-year varsity letterwinner in softball (sophomore, junior, senior) and earned varsity letters in basketball (freshman, senior) and indoor track (junior) as well … Helped team to Division I Northern League title in basketball as a freshman and Division I class championship in track as a junior … Led softball team to state championship runner up as a sophomore … Excelsior Honor Roll and High Honor Roll student … Tri-Sport Scholar-Athlete Award … National Honor Society member … Plays club for Rhode Island Blast.
"Carissa is an aggressive athlete and as such will compete for a variety of positions at Bryant, including setter, libero and defensive specialist," said Garlacy. "Her never-say-die attitude and courageous intensity are what attracted us to her as a recruit. Carissa will be on the floor and diving into bleachers to retrieve any ball. We are looking forward to her positive energy on the court."
Sara DePouw I 6-0 I Outside/Middle Blocker I Oconto, Wis./Oconto
DePouw was a four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year starting middle at Oconto High School … Led the Blue Devils to three-straight regional championships sophomore through senior year … As a senior, DePouw helped Oconto to a Packerland Conference title, a regional championship and a sectional championship before taking her team all the way to the state championship game in a 37-2 season … Earned co-conference player of the year honors as a junior in 2011 and repeated the honor as the only winner in 2012 … 2012 Green Bay Press Gazette Player of the Year … Division III first team all-state selection and all-division second team nod as a senior … Three-time first team all-conference pick … First team all-area selection as a junior and senior and honorable mention honoree as a sophomore … Won her team's Offensive Player Award as a sophomore and junior … Named the team's Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior … Three-year team captain … Holds state tournament records for kills in a four-set match (all divisions) and service aces in a four-set match (Division III) … Also a two-year varsity letterwinner in basketball and sophomore as a freshman and sophomore … Second team all-conference and all-area honorable mention pick in basketball as a sophomore … Second team all-conference first baseman and Coaches Award winner in softball as a sophomore … Currently ranked first in class … High honor roll student … National Honor Society member … Brother, Ryan, currently plays basketball for Lawrence University … Plays club for Wisconsin Volleyball Academy.
"Sara is an extremely versatile athlete who can play any front row position," said Garlacy. "She has a killer jump serve and really goes for it when she attacks her serve. Middle is probably her strength, and with her quickness and surefootedness, she will bring depth for us at the toughest position."
Annie Ericksen l 5-11 l Outside/Opposite l Eagan, Minn./Eastview
Ericksen was a two-year varsity letterwinner and starter at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, Minn. … Named the Lightning's Most Improved Player award winner … Led her team to the sectional semifinal as a senior, falling to the eventual state champion … Also won three varsity letters in track and field as a freshman, sophomore and junior … Played six years with the Northern Lights club team, where she helped lead her squad to a second-place finish at nationals in 2012.
"Annie comes to Bryant with some of the best fundamental skill training available from the Northern Lights Volleyball Club," said Garlacy. "She is a solid serve/receiver and will compete for time at both the outside and opposite positions. With the height of her vertical jump, we expect her to become a skilled blocker as well."
Mallory Wilczynski l 6-2 l Middle Blocker l Cary, Ill./Cary Grove
Wilczynski was a four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year starter at Cary Grove High School … Helped the Trojans to the school's first-ever state championship as a freshman in 2009 … Class 4A State runners up in 2010 and 2011 … As a senior middle, posted the best serve/receive ratio (2.2) on the team … Three-time Fox Valley Conference Honorable Mention selection (2010, 2011 and 2012) … 2012 Illinois All-Star Team pick … 2012 Chicago Sports Town All-Star Team selection … All-area honorable mention as a senior … Also earned a varsity letter in basketball as a freshman … Four-year high honor roll student … National Honor Society member … Plays club for Sky High Volleyball Club.
"Mallory will be expected to fill some big blocking shoes," said Garlacy. "Her wingspan and reading ability are going to set the stage for her to become one of Bryant's most prolific blockers. As a big middle, she also loves to play back row defense and is willing to hit the floor and do whatever it takes to keep the ball in play."