April 7, 2000

VILLANOVA, Pa. - In her first season at the helm of the Villanova women's water program in 1999, head coach Allyson Gillespie guided the Wildcats to their finest season ever. The `Cats were nationally ranked all season long, and ended their second varsity season with an outstanding 23-8 record. Qualifying for both the Mid-Atlantic and the Eastern Championships, `Nova finished in third and fifth place respectively. Just as important as what the Wildcats accomplished in the pool last season, is the fact that Gillespie has all her top players back for another successful run in 2000.

All of Villanova's top-five goal scorers return this season to anchor a tremendous offensive attack. The Wildcats leading goal scorer in 1999, co- captain Carrie Boyle tallied an unprecedented 80 goals in just 31 matches. Boyle comes back for her junior campaign in 2000, and will lead the team at the two-meter offense position, also seeing some time at driver. Second on the team in scoring in 1999 with 64 goals in addition to a team-high 65 assists, co-captain Brigitte Bayster is one of only four Villanova seniors on this year's team. Bayster, like Boyle, will play at the two-meter offense and driver positions. Both garnered All-Mid Atlantic honors in 1999.

Joining the "killer b's", Bayster and Boyle, at two-meter offense is senior Joie Marhefka and sophomore Kelly Rodriguez. Marhefka had 22 goals and was second on the Wildcat squad with 67 steals one season ago, while Rodriguez proved to be one of the nation's top freshmen as she registered 43 goals, 29 assists and 60 steals. Rodriguez adds speed to the Villanova offensive attack and proved lethal for opponents with her high-velocity shots. She also earned Mid-Atlantic honors for the `Cats in 1999.

Villanova will be very deep at the driver position in 2000, with a number of veterans returning in addition to an outstanding freshman class. Sophomores Janine Kusza and Erin Agee both scored 20-plus goals for the Wildcats last year, while seniors Sharon Fuller and Renee Scherr and junior Katherine Kaufold have all been consistent all-around performers throughout their careers. Adding depth for the Wildcats will be sophomore Deana Casale and a freshman contingent of Veronica Coyle, Alisa Demmin, Stacy Jacobs, and Kathryn Jones.

Starting in goal for Villanova will be Carly Sproul, who returns for her sophomore season. Sproul put together a tremendous freshman campaign in 1999, tallying a 20-8 record and 170 saves. Backing her up in net is junior Amanda Sewald, who registered a perfect 2-0 record last season behind Sproul.

All the components for another successful season are back for head coach Allyson Gillespie and the Wildcats in 2000. With enormous levels of speed and depth at every position, Villanova looks sure to improve upon its accomplishments of 1999. There is no doubt that the `Cats have the talent, heart, and desire to surpass their previous milestones and open a new chapter in Villanova women's water polo history.