KINGSTON, Ont. (July 27, 2010) – Head Coach
Joely Christian-Macfarlane is pleased to announce that Katie Hagarty, Kelsey Bishop and Cassie Downe have committed to play volleyball for the Gaels in the fall of 2010.
A member of the 2010 Team Ontario squad that just captured a gold medal at the National Team Challenge Cup in Winnipeg, Hagerty was also a member of the 2009 OFSSA girls volleyball championship team from Aurora High School. She was also named Athlete of the Year every year since grade nine.
“Katie is an outstanding athlete and individual and I believe her competitive spirit and tremendous athletic ability will make a difference to our women's program right away,” said Christian-Macfarlane. “She also comes from an outstanding family of athletes; her dad is a Queen's Football alum, her older sister plays basketball for York University and her younger sister is one of the top basketball players in the province. I'm excited to have her be a part of our program.”
Downe is a Calgary native who has captained her high school team to one city championship, two silver and a third place finish at provincials over the last three years. In 2009, Downe was a member of the U17 Team Alberta squad that won a bronze medal at the National Team Challenge Cup in Toronto. An Honours with Distinction student, Downe brings outstanding athletic and academic ability to the Gaels.
“Cassie is a great addition to the women's program,” said Christian-Macfarlane. she has been described by her provincial team coaches as being a very hard worker, determined, focused and driven. She brings incredible qualities to the women's program that I believe will improve how we train and compete and will have a lasting impact on this team and program.”
Rounding out this strong group of recruits is Kelsey Bishop of North Vancouver, B.C. Bishop comes to Queen's having been selected as a second team all-star at the last two senior provincial championships and a first team all-star for Windsor Secondary over those two years.
“I look forward to having Kelsey join us and watching her grow with the program over the next four years,” commented Christian-Macfarlane. “She is a great player whose ability to play any of the front row positions provides us with tremendous potential. She has a great work ethic and has proven to be a strong leader as president of her grad class this year and is ready to contribute to this program.”
The women open their 2010-11 regular season on the road when they face the Toronto Varsity Blues on Friday, October 22 at 6:00 pm. The Gaels first home game is the following week when they welcome the Lakehead Thunderwolves to town on Saturday, October 30. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 pm.