EMORY, Va. - The Emory & Henry College Women's Soccer Team has added eight players for the 2012 season, Head Coach Linda Schirmeister-Gess announced Thursday.
The 2012 class for the Wasps includes Emily Belanger (Tampa, Fla.), Natalie Bright (Lynchburg, Va.), Maria Byrd (Weber City, Va.), Baylee Dozark (Tampa, Fla.), Marissa Mathis (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), Katheryn McGinnis (Hickory, N.C.), Emma McNeil (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Blair Vaughn (Gate City, Va.).
"Having finished last season in a great position, we were looking for players to join the team that would not just help out but that would raise the overall standard of play," said Schirmeister-Gess. "We believe the players we found fit that mold. They are hard working, intelligent and extremely talented. We are excited to see them make not just large contributions, but take on some starting roles. They will mesh well with our returners and certainly raise our team standard."
Emily Belanger – Defender – 5-5 – Tampa, Fla. – Paul R. Wharton High School
Emily Belanger was a four-year letterwinner at Paul R. Wharton High School in Tampa, Fla., where she earned Freshman of the Year honors and was a two-time team MVP. Belanger was a three-time first team all-conference selection and also earned all-area and all-state first team honors. She was also a two-year letterwinner in cross country and track and field.
Belanger's was a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. She served as a volunteer at the Tampa Bay Humane Society and a camp counselor at the Shriner's Hospital Summer Camp.
Natalie Bright – Defender – 5-5 – Lynchburg, Va. – E.C. Glass
Natalie Bright joins the Emory & Henry squad from E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Va. She was a four-year letterwinner for head coach Darien McClurg and earned the "Assist of the Year" award for the 2012 season.
Bright was heavily involved in literary and musical organizations at E.C. Glass. She is also a Girl Scout.
Maria Byrd – Defender – 5-3 – Weber City, Va. – Gate City High
Maria Byrd was a four-year letterwinner from Gate City High School. Byrd earned all-district and all-region accolades each of her four years. She was also a three-time All-Virginia player, including first-team honors as a sophomore and senior. She was voted district and region player of the year as a junior and selected to the VHSL All-Star team this past spring. Byrd was also a four-year letterwinner in cross country and basketball.
Byrd served as senior class president, was a member of the National Honor Society and the marching band. She volunteered for the Upward organization and Relay for Life and is the president of the Holston United Methodist Youth Group. Byrd's mother, Brenda, played volleyball and ran track at Emory & Henry.
Baylee Dozark was a four-year letterwinner from Paul R. Wharton High School in Tampa, Fla. She served as a team captain and led the team in assists as a senior. She was named all-county and all-conference and was selected to the all-state all-star team.
Dozark is a member of the National Honor Society and National Beta Club and served as the president of the Key Club. She was involved in the Caring About Tomorrow's Students tutoring program and is a member of Family of Christ Youth group, which has traveled on several mission trips. Dozark's brother, Konner, is a member of the Emory & Henry men's soccer team.
Marissa Mathis – Midfielder/Defender – 5-4 – Sherman Oaks, Calif. – Van Nuys High School
Marissa Mathis was a four-year starter at Van Nuys High School. She also lettered in track & field.
Mathis graduated with honors and was a member of the soccer club and science club. She also served as an assistant coach of a GU-10 (girls under 10) soccer team for three years.
Katheryn McGinnis – Midfielder/Defender – 5-10 – Hickory, NC – Fred T. Foard High School
Katheryn McGinnis was a four-year letterwinner and former team captain at Fred T. Foard High School. She earned all-region honors was twice selected as an all-conference player.
McGinnis graduated in the top 10 percent of her class as a North Carolina Scholar and is a member of the Beta Club.
Emma McNeil – Defender – 5-2 – Knoxville, Tenn. – Hardin Valley Academy
Emma McNeil played for Becka Wilson and Mike McLean at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, Tenn. She was also a letterwinner in cross county.
McNeil was a member of the National Honor Society and served as president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is an active member of West Park Baptist Church.
Blair Vaughn – Midfielder/Forward – 5-3 – Gate City, Va. – Gate City High School
Blair Vaughn joins her Gate City teammate, after lettering four years with the Blue Devils. She is a four-time all-district and all-region player. She was a member of the all-state second team as a junior and senior. Vaughn was also a four-time all-district and all-region selection in Cross Country.
Vaughn is a member of the National Honor Society and Midway Memorial United Methodist Church. Vaughn's uncle and aunt, George and Jane Laoo, played volleyball and baseball, respectively, at Emory & Henry.
Emory & Henry, which finished with a 9-8-1 record last year, opens the 2012 season on Sunday, September 2. The Wasps will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to face the Spirits of Salem College at 2:00 p.m.
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