April 24, 2008
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist head women's water polo coach Ashleigh Jacobs announced on Thursday that driver Desiree Desaulniers and utility Kelly Kline have signed national letters of intent to play for Marist next season. Desaulniers and Kline are the first two members of the recruiting class of 2012.
Desaulniers is a 6'1" driver from Orlando, Fla. She is a four-year varsity letterwinner at Olympia High School and also plays for the Central Florida Sun Water Polo Club Team. A Rookie of the Year in 2005, she was named her team's Most Improved Player in 2006 after scoring 22 goals. In 2007, Desaulniers was an All-Conference and First-Team All-District selection after scoring 108 goals, dishing out 25 assists, and recording 26 steals.
"I am very excited about adding Desiree to our roster", said Jacobs. "She will bring a nice mix of speed, passion, and eagerness to learn our roster. She is at the beginning of her water polo career with only a year of club experience and proving herself as a dominant high school player. I believe through practicing and competing at the Division I level, Desiree will turn into quite a strong driver and outside shot with the ability to get into the mix of 2-meter play."
Kline is a 5'10" utility player from Reading, Pa. A three-year varsity letterwinner at Governor Mifflin High School, Kline was an All-Conference selection in 2006 as her team ranked fifth in the state of Pennsylvania in 2006 and 2007. She also plays for the Kingfish Water Polo Club Team. Kline was selected to the 2007 Northeast Zone Team.
"I am pleased to announce Kelly's signing with Marist", Jacobs said. "She was a go-to person in high school with natural athletic ability. I think she can make an immediate impact on the team with her aggression, speed, and determination in 2-meter defense".
Marist finished the regular season 25-7 with a perfect 10-0 mark in the MAAC Water Polo League. The Red Foxes are the top seed in this weekend's MAAC Water Polo Championships, which will be held at the McCann Center Natatorium. Marist will take on fourth-seeded Siena on Saturday at 3 p.m. For ticket information, log on to GoRedFoxes.com or call the Marist Ticket Office at 845-575-3553.
