July 14, 2008
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF head volleyball coach Todd Dagenais announced Monday that the Knights have added Lauren Rosenthal to their 2008 roster. Rosenthal, a 5-foot-10 setter, comes to UCF after spending the 2007 season as a member of the Florida State volleyball team that finished fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Rosenthal appeared in 57 games for the Seminoles as a freshman, posting 27 kills, 13 service aces and 16 total blocks.
"Lauren has already been a lead setter in major collegiate competition," Dagenais said. "We look for her leadership and winning attitude to bring a great deal to our program."
A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., the setter starred at Colorado Springs Christian School, leading her team to three-consecutive 3A state championships, while earning a pair of All-America honors from prepvolleyball.com and the NCSAA in both 2005 and 2006.
Rosenthal was named All-Colorado Player of the Year and was a two-time all-state honoree by the Denver Post, while also earning All-Colorado accolades from the Rocky Mountain News her junior and senior seasons.
"I believe it's very important that a player, especially a setter, has a successful background prior to college," Dagenais said. "Adding a setter to our roster that has won numerous state high school championships shows that we are determined to bring in top-level talent every year."
After totaling 868 assists and 108 service aces as a senior, Rosenthal set state records with 3,287 career assists and 388 career service aces and was named 3A Tri-Peaks West Conference Player of the Year. The setter also owns state marks for aces in a game (12) and assists in a season (930).
Rosenthal also helped her club team, Club Stellar, win the Rocky Mountain Region and qualify for the 2007 Junior National Olympic National Championship and was named to the all-tournament team for her stellar play. Three years earlier, Rosenthal won the 16 Open title with Front Range Volleyball club at the 2004 USA Volleyball Junior Olympic National Championship.
Rosenthal will join fellow Colorado native and former member of the Front Range Volleyball club, Andrea Youngblood, at the setter position for the Knights in 2008.
"All good teams have two very capable setters on their roster and we are really excited about being in the position of having two fantastic setters," Dagenais stated.
Katie Duggan, Melissa Reinders, Kathleen Curry and Katie Riley also join the Knights this fall and complete Dagenais' first roster as UCF's ninth head coach.
"Duggan, Reinders and Curry will play a very important role for us in the back court as we strive to improve our ball control," Dagenais said. "And Riley's size will give us an additional physical presence at the net."
The volleyball team opens its 2008 campaign at the Georgia Southern Tournament Aug. 29-30, before opening the newly renovated UCF Arena against six-time National Champions Stanford on Sept. 2. For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics
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