Wolverines Land Four Recruits in Early Signing Period
11/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's water polo coach Matt Anderson announced today (Wednesday, Nov. 24) that the Wolverines received four commitments in the early signing period. Mary Chatigny (Palm Springs, Calif./Palm Springs HS), Kristen Davis (Villa Park, Calif./Villa Park HS), Carrie Frost (Saline, Mich./Saline HS) and Sharayah Hernandez (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho HS) have all signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Wolverines for the 2006 season.
"We hoped to have balance in this class, and I think we found what we were looking for in a group of players that should produce for us for the next four years," said Anderson. "The best thing about this class is they all are what you would call 'pool rats.' They aren't looking at outside things and distractions; they are focused on academics and on athletics and that is what we are excited about."
Chatigny, a driver, is a four-year letterwinner in both water polo and swimming at Palm Springs High School in Palm Springs, Calif. Entering her senior year, she is a three-time All-Desert Valley League first-team selection (2002-04) as well as being named team MVP three times. Chatingy is also a three-time All-CIF Division V first-team selection. She has twice set her school record for goals and in 2004 posted 125 goals and 96 steals and handed out 46 assists. Chatigny is also a member of the Golden West water polo club and helped lead her team to the 2004 Junior Olympics title, a second-place finish in the 2004 summer junior nationals and a third-place showing in the 2004 summer senior nationals. "Mary has a strong work ethic that allows her to be involved in a majority of plays at both ends of the pool," said Anderson. "She will out-work anybody in the pool, and I think she is going to be a coach's dream as far as the wanting to work to get better."
Davis is also a four-year letterwinner in both water polo and swimming. As a goalkeeper out of Villa Park High School in Villa Park, Calif., Davis earned 2004 NISCA All-America status after leading her team to back-to-back Century League championships in 2003 and 2004. Davis has been named to the All-Century League first-team three times (2002-04) and has twice earned All-CIF Division I first-team honors (2003-04). In 2003 she was won her team's most defensive player award and was named MVP in 2004. Davis is also a member of the national youth team and the TRAP water polo club. Davis also excels in the classroom as a member of the California Scholastic Federation and National Honor Society. "Kristen provides us with a very solid goalie that will compete for playing time, and she is excited about that opportunity," said Anderson. "She realizes what a great place Michigan is and is ready to be pushed to be the best college goalie she can be."
Frost is also a four-year letterwinner in water polo and swimming and is the only in-state product to commit in the early signing period, hailing from Saline, Mich. As a utility for Saline High School, Frost has twice earned NISCA All-America honors, in 2002 and 2003. She is also a two-time All-State Academic team member for swimming and diving (2002-03). Frost is a member of the Great Lakes water polo club and the national youth team. "Carrie is a tall, strong lefthander with strong swimming skills who is going to reach high levels now that she will be challenged every day," said Anderson.
Hernandez also earned four water polo and swimming letters as a utility at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, Calif. Hernandez picked up three All-Del Rio League first-team selections (2002-04) and a pair of All-CIF Division III first-team selections (2003-04) en route to leading her team to a pair of Del Rio League championships (2003-04). In 2003 she set the El Rancho High steals record with 117. She is also a national youth team member and plays for the El Rancho water polo club. "Sharayah is a versatile player who I think has unlimited potential," said Anderson. "She is a playmaker who is capable of coming in as a freshman and contributing major minutes."
The Wolverines will lose seven players to graduation following the 2005 season, including 2004 second team All-American and Peter J. Cutino Award candidate Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) and 2003 honorable mention All-American Sheetal Narsai (Commerce, Calif./Bell Gardens HS). Also in the class of 2005 are Jo Antonsen (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura HS), Erin Brown (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS), Vickie Brown (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill HS), Rebecca Godek (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) and Meg Knudtsen (Palo Alto, Calif./ St. Francis HS).
Michigan starts the season by hosting the Michigan Invitational on Jan. 29-30. The tournament will be held at Canham Natatorium and will include UCLA, Indiana, Colorado State and the club teams from Michigan State and Eastern Michigan.
Contact: Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423
