July 23, 2007

Staten Island, NY - Coming off their first NEC playoff berth since 2001 Wagner volleyball coach Kevin Michael Papa has announced the signing of Erin Henneberger, Jennifer Lechman, Ashley Pepper and Kelsey Rose. The four student-athletes will be freshmen next season and will have four seasons of eligibility.

Henneberger, a 5-10 outside hitter from Livonia, Michigan, comes to Wagner following an outstanding four-year varsity career at Ladywood High School. She helped the Blazers to four-straight District Championships, highlighted by an impressive 42-11 senior campaign and the Catholic League Championship. She capped her career with Third Team All-State honors and was also stellar in the classroom earning Academic All-State honors as a senior while graduating with a 3.86 GPA. She played her club volleyball with the Michigan Elite.

Lechman, a 5-6 defensive striker from Effingham, Illinois, was a three-year starter at Effingham High School, helping the Flaming Hearts to a 74-25 mark. In her final high school campaign she led Effingham to a 29-4 record, the Apollo Conference championship and the district title. She was named First Team All-Apollo and won the Flaming Hearts' Hustle Award. She also played for the Twin City VCB and graduated with a 3.56 GPA.

Pepper, a 5-10 outside hitter from Washington Court House, Ohio, was a four-year starter at Washington Senior High School. Over her last three years the Blue Lions won three-straight South Central Ohio Championships, including District titles her final two years. Individually she was named the District 14 Player of the Year and the Best Offensive Player to go along with All Ohio Honorable Mention honors. Outside of high-school competition she played with the Central Ohio VCB.

Rose, a 5-7 outside hitter from Springfield Township, Ohio, is the fourth member of Wagner's recruiting class. She comes to Staten Island with four years of varsity experience at Roger Bacon High School including helping the Spartans to back-to-back state championships in 2004 and 2005. Last year, she was named team MVP and won the Best Defensive Player award. She played her club volleyball for Team Z and was a standout student in the classroom graduating with a 3.5 GPA.

"These four student-athletes have the opportunity to come in and create a distinct imprint on our burgeoning program," said Papa.

Wagner returns eight letterwinners and four starters from last year's team that went 9-23 and 4-4 in the NEC before suffering a tough five-set loss in the NEC Tournament.

The Green & White kick off their season with a Labor Day tilt against Navy on Monday, Sept. 3 at 2 pm