Three Preps with ODP Experience Commit to Michigan
11/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Nov. 18, 2009
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan water polo head coach Matt Anderson announced the signing of three prep standouts to National Letters of Intent today (Wed., Nov. 18). The Wolverines will welcome in 2-meter Lauren Dudley (Okemos/Okemos, Mich.), attacker Kelsey Nolan (Leland/San Jose, Calif.) and driver Audrey Pratt (Burlingame/San Mateo, Calif.) for the 2011 season.
"I am satisfied that we have initially gotten what we are looking for in this class," Anderson said. "The three of them bring to the table things that they do now that stand out and things that are going to stand out even more when they get into the college game. I truly believe that these three are going to be a cornerstone of our success in the coming years. It will be exciting to watch them lead this program in the future and with the beginnings we have with this recruiting class, is an exciting future."
Dudley is a third generation Wolverine, following her father, Thomas Dudley Jr. (U-M Swimming, 1980-82), and grandfather, Thomas Dudley (U-M Swimming (1963-64), to Ann Arbor. She collected MWPA Player of the Year for both the regular season and state playoffs as a junior en route to leading Okemos to a fourth-place finish. A Midwest Zone ODP player, Dudley has earned USA Water Polo All-Academic status.
"Dudley is someone who I am excited about, not only keeping the best player in Michigan in state, but her potential is truly untapped," Anderson said. "She is someone who is going to get better every single day in practice and games. I am really looking forward to the size and speed she will bring to the water."
Nolan has put together an impressive prep career, collecting two league MVP honors and a pair of All-CCS First Team selections. She owns the career record for goals at Leland and has already shattered her own single-season record, carrying 137 scores into the CCS Playoffs. Nolan, a member of the Pacific Zone ODP team, was an NISCA All-America third team and Kai-California/Hawaii All-America fourth team selection as a junior.
"Nolan is exciting in every sense of the word," Anderson said. "She plays the game with an aggressive passion that is just fun to watch. Her aptitude for wanting to outwork her opponent and be successful is what stands out the most. Not only is she going to be fun to watch, but coach as well."
Pratt earned All-CCS first team honors as a junior after earning an honorable mention nod as a sophomore. A member of the Pacific Zone ODP, she collected a Kai-California/Hawaii All-America honorable mention. She is also an all-league swimmer and lacrosse player.
"Audrey had a very strong summer which is only going to be the beginning of the many strengths I think she is going to develop," Anderson said. "The more I saw her this summer, the more I became impressed. Every time I saw her, I was more impressed than the previous time. She has the attitude to get it done every time she is in the pool and that is going to be enjoyable to have on the team."
Michigan will graduate a four-member senior class following the 2010 campaign.
Contact: Ryan Sosin (734) 763-4423
