Dec. 21, 2006

Erie, Pa. - Entering its seventh year of existence, the Mercyhurst women's water polo team will look to build upon a 2006 season that was the most successful in school history. With a 15-8-1 record, a third place conference finish and Mercyhurst's first Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Top Ten ranking, the Lakers broke new ground. The success in the water was equaled by success in the classroom as every member of the team had a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

While the Lakers will be left to fill the void left by the graduation of last year's leading scorer Cassie Rand (60 goals), head coach Curtis Robinette brought in a pair of transfers to help with the transition.

Junior Rhonda Marable, a transfer from Palomar College, will be asked to fill the scoring void while adding a perimeter presence on defense and sophomore Chrissy Genian, a transfer from Citrus College, will step in as the starting two-meter defender.

The offensive side of the pool will, once again, be led by junior co-captains Christine Somera and Carrie Willison. Willison finished second in scoring last season with 35 goals while shattering the school record for assists in a season with 52. Somera earned CWPA First Team All-Conference Honors and broke the school record for drawn ejections in a season with 45 from her attacker position.

Junior goalkeeper Gina Mieras will once again be relied on to shut down the opposition and she provides veteran experience in doing just that. She has already broken the school record for career saves, with 473, and holds the single season record as well, stopping 243 shots last year.

Other returning starters include juniors Christie Haibach and Renee Sander. Both are members of the CWPA All-Academic Team and are coming off of career seasons in every statistical category as they move their names up the Mercyhurst record boards.

Kallen Dearnbarger also returns after making the All-Academic Team a year ago and will look to contribute to the team's efforts. Freshmen Cathi Korenich, Jenna Jefferds, Jacqueline Phillips and Sam Shehan will all look to develop into players who can contribute to the success of the 2007 squad.