University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Announce Exciting and Talented Incoming Freshmen Class
5/14/2015 10:48:00 AM | Field Hockey
Van de Kerkhof, who will be in his fifth season at the helm of the Blue Hens, and his coaching staff will welcome three international players in addition to six student-athletes from neighboring stats to the roster. The group includes four midfielders, two defenders, two forwards and a goalie as Delaware loses just three student-athletes to graduation in the coming weeks.
“This is a very competitive, ambitious and fun group of young women, and true student-athletes, that will be joining our program this summer,” remarked Van de Kerkhof. “These nine new faces are a great fit for our program as they all understand the importance of further contributing to the ongoing desire to improve academically and athletically in addition enhancing our community service involvement. All of them come from great families and as a program we are excited to welcome their passion and support to our field hockey family.”
Van de Kerkhof continued, “I would like to give credit to and thank our current players group, coaching and support staff and academic faculty for being great ambassadors to the University of Delaware, which allows us to secure this fine and talented group of incoming Blue Hens. It has been a true team effort and thanks to that approach, our program continues to grow stronger moving forward.”
Newcomers include Kiki Bink (Wageningen, The Netherlands/RSG Pantarijn), MaryCate Butler (Collegeville, Pa./Villa Maria Academy), Lisa Giezeman (The Hague, The Netherlands/Sint Maartens/HDM HC), Greta Nauck (Krefeld, Germany/Gymnasium am Moltkeplatz), Sabrina Rhodes (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright), Sydney Rhodes (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright), Michaela Scanlon (Narberth, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy), Haley Stanko (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) and Tara Tracchio (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus).
Below are biographies on each of the nine incoming student-athletes in addition to comments from both Van de Kerkhof and the student-athletes.
KIKI BINK | Midfielder | Wageningen, The Netherlands (RSG Pantarijn)
The first of three international students to join the Blue Hens in 2015, Bink brings a multitude of championship experience to UD as a member of MHC Wageningen since 2003. In the past five seasons, Bink and her club team have collected a gold and silver medal in addition to two bronze medals in the national indoor hockey championships. The daughter of Niek-jan Bink and Cis Doorman, Bink has not declared a major.
“Kiki is a very versatile player that can play a handful of positions for us. She has developed strong technical and tactical skill sets on both sides of the ball. Kiki has always played up for her age and therefore has been fortunate to learn from strong and more experienced players. We hope that she will put these qualities and experiences to good use and assist her Blue Hens teammates to further improve. Kiki is also a strong academic performer and I am excited for her to becoming a successful and true student-athlete for our program.” – Rolf van de Kerkhof
“I chose the University of Delaware for its strong academics and great field hockey program. I loved the dedication and ambition the whole team and staff shows and I'm very excited to become a Blue Hen!” – Kiki Bink
MARYCATE BUTLER | Defender | Collegeville, Pa. (Villa Maria Academy)
Butler is no stranger to a culture of winning as she arrives at Delaware following a career at Villa Maria Academy where the Hurricanes tallied a winning percentage of .884 during her four seasons. The four-time AACA Champions and three-time PIAA District 1 Champions claimed the Pennsylvania state title for the first time in 20 years while Butler was named an All-Main Line Honorable Mention selection in 2014. A NFHCA Scholar of Distinction, Butler has received distinguished honors and first honors and is a member of the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, Student Council, Student Integrity, Peer Ministry and World Cultures Club. The daughter of Catherine and James, Butler plans on majoring in neuroscience with the goals of working as a lawyer or criminal profiler. She will join fellow Villa Maria alumna and rising Delaware junior Maura Zarkoski in the fall.
“MaryCate is energetic and passionate about school and hockey. She is a strong performer in the classroom as well as on the field while bringing a positive attitude and an eagerness to learn. MaryCate has a defensive skill set that provides her with opportunities to develop into a sold member of our backfield.” – Rolf van de Kerkhof
“I chose Delaware because I felt at home here. The campus is beautiful and is in a great location. UD has a great academic reputation as well as a continuously growing field hockey program. The coaches have a great philosophy and the team feels like a family. I can really see myself growing as a player and person here in the next four years.” – MaryCate Butler
LISA GIEZEMAN | Forward/Midfield | Leidschendam, The Netherlands (Sin-Maartens College/Boerhaave College/HDM HC)
Giezeman (“hize—eh—min”) will be one of seven international players on the Delaware roster in 2015 and joins the Blue Hens from the HDM club team in her native The Netherlands. During the past three seasons, Giezeman and HDM have collected three silver medals and two bronze medals at the Dutch National Championships while picking up a gold medal at the DOD (a tournament of district teams of the Dutch Hockey Federation). The daughter of Danielle Kool and Jos Giezeman, Lisa plans on majoring in business administration at UD.
“Lisa offers an impressive technical skill set and tactical understanding that will allow her to contribute to our offensive production. She will be a great addition to our forward line and could be instrumental in further improving our quality attack and goal scoring. Lisa has been preparing for the Delaware student-athlete experience for over a year and I am looking forward to having her join our program this fall.” – Rolf van de Kerkhof
“I think that the Delaware field hockey team and the coaching staff have the same passion and goals as I have: getting better as a team and as an individual while winning THE title! I really liked the campus atmosphere and welcoming environment. The people everywhere were so friendly.” – Lisa Giezeman
GRETA NAUCK | Midfielder | Krefeld, Germany (Gymnasium am Moltkeplatz)
The final of three international recruits, Nauck has played with the Düsseldorfer Hockey Club since 2011. Throughout her tenure, the club was five-time North Rhine-Westphalia Champions while also notching championships for Germany (Munich-Hohenkirchen), Germany (Düsseldorf) and Germany (Berlin). The daughter of Guenter and Helga, Nauck plans on majoring in business at the University of Delaware.
“Greta is a great team player with an impressive skill set who displays a great amount of passion for the game of field hockey that will energize her future Blue Hens teammates. She has played up in her age group and experienced playing at the highest regional and national levels. Throughout the recruiting process she has shown a lot of excitement about her future study abroad and hockey experiences. I know she will be ready to go once she arrives at Delaware.” – Rolf van de Kerkhof
“Since I was four years old, my biggest passion is playing field hockey. There is nowhere else than in the United States where I can combine demanding study abroad academics with ambitious sports as a student-athlete. A row of pleasant chats with Coach Van de Kerkhof as well as his accomplished program made me want to become a Blue Hen and help win championships for the University of Delaware.” – Greta Nauck
SABRINA RHODES | Midfielder | Bel Air, Md. (C. Milton Wright HS)
A decorated student-athlete, Rhodes help guide the Mustangs to an overall mark of 18-1 en route the first-ever state championship in school history during the 2013 season. A two-time All-County First Team selection and All-State Honorable Mention, All-Metro First Team and NFHCA All-Region honoree, Rhodes missed the 2014 season with an ACL injury. Rhodes has also led her club team to four NIT championships while taking first at the Disney Junior Showcase National Championship and Regional Club Championship. In the classroom, Rhodes is a member of the Honor Roll, Minds in Motion and National Honors Society. The daughter of James and Janice, Rhodes plans on majoring in Civil or Environmental Engineering. Her twin sister, Sydney, will also join the Blue Hens in 2015 as a goalie.
“Sabrina is a very versatile player that can play many positions. She displays tactical knowledge as well as possessing a solid offensive and defensive skill set. In addition to her improvements throughout high school and club play, Sabrina has also taken advantage of development opportunities through the United States Field Hockey Association. If growth continues at this rate, she cannot only become an All-American caliber collegiate player, but also one day may represent herself and the Blue Hens as a member of the United States National Women's Team.” – Rolf van de Kerkhof
“Delaware appealed to me the most because of its successful program. Additionally, the opportunity was there to do what I love with my sister [Sydney Rhodes] by my side. The school and campus are so beautiful and close to home, so I knew this was the right fit for me.” – Sabrina Rhodes
SYDNEY RHODES | Goalkeeper | Bel Air, Md. (C. Milton Wright HS)
A force to be reckoned with in the cage, Rhodes allowed just 0.6 goals per game with a 90.2 save percentage during her four-year tenure with the Mustangs. During her junior campaign, Rhodes posted a shutout in 16 of 19 games played while leading CMW to an overall record of 18-1 en route the first-ever state championship in school history. A three-time All-County First Team selection, Rhodes has also earned NFHCA All-Region, All-State First Team and All-Metro Team honors. She has also led her club team to four NIT championships while taking first at the Disney Junior Showcase National Championship and Regional Club Championship. The daughter of James and Janice, Rhodes plans on majoring in Exercise Science. Her twin sister, Sabrina, will also join the Blue Hens in 2015 as a midfielder.
“Sydney is a talented goalkeeper with great development potential to compete for the starting position in the future. Her size, speed, desire to learn and ability to apply technical and tactical skills will provide great opportunities for her and our program. Sydney's development over the last 12 months has been remarkable and we are excited to welcome her to our goalkeeping unit and team.” – Rolf van de Kerkhof
“I chose the University of Delaware because it offers a top education and field hockey program in addition to the opportunity to continue to play with my sister [Sabrina Rhodes].” – Sydney Rhodes
MICHAELA SCANLON | Midfielder | Narberth, Pa. (Merion Mercy Academy)
A Delaware legacy student, Scanlon is the fourth from her family to attend UD as she follows in the footsteps of her mother, aunt and sister. A three-sport athlete during her senior season, Scanlon has helped her field hockey team to two state tournament appearances while also leading the lacrosse team to a conference championship during her junior year. She is also a captain of the school's indoor track squad, where she competes in the 400, 4x200 and 4x400 events. Scanlon is a member of the Honor Roll and National Honors Society. The daughter of E. Kevin and Helen, Scanlon plans on majoring in biology with the career aspirations of working in pediatric medicine.
“Michaela is a great team player and hard worker. Her work ethic is influential and will raise the level of players around her. She will have a lot of development potential and with her approach and positive mindset, she will be in the position to further grow into the field hockey player she wants to become.” – Rolf van de Kerkhof
“I chose UD because I feel most at home here. I love how close knit and supportive the team is and how everyone learns from each other. I am really excited to work with the coaching staff because they have amped up the intensity to get the program where it is today. Mostly, I am looking forward to being challenged and pushed to my full potential – both on the field and in the classroom.” – Michaela Scanlon
HALEY STANKO | Midfielder | Lewisburg, Pa. (Lewisburg Area HS)
A four-year starter for the Dragons, Stanko tallied 19 goals and 35 assists during her career, including posting a team-best 15 assists as a senior. Stanko is a three-time Standard Journal All-Star and Daily Item All-Star while also earning PHAC Second Team accolades twice. She has also participated in basketball, softball and track during her high school tenure while serving as the President of the Chess Club and Vice President of Spanish Club. Stanko is also a member of the Sign Language Club and Distinguished Honor Roll. The daughter of Steve and Theresa, Stanko anticipates majoring in history with the career object of becoming a children's television writer.
“Haley was one of those players that flew under the radar. We were fortunate enough to have picked up on her and are excited about what she can add to our program. Haley's strongest qualities are attentiveness and eagerness to learn, which makes her a true student of the game. She will be another honors student and has a lot of potential as a field hockey player. Haley's hit is her biggest skill asset and with the right development, she could become a scoring threat for the Blue Hens.” – Rolf van de Kerkhof
“I chose Delaware because of its location, brilliant coaching staff, overall team attitude and philosophy in addition to all of the opportunities available to improve as an athlete and a person.” – Haley Stanko
TARA TRACCHIO | Forward/Midfielder | Macungie, Pa. (Emmaus HS)
Tracchio will be the third Blue Hen to hail from field hockey powerhouse Emmaus High School as she joins former teammates and current Delaware rising senior Allie Mikelson and sophomore Krissy Mikelson in the fall. Coming off of a 24-2-1 record and Class 3A title as a senior, Tracchio helped guide the Hornets to an outstanding mark of 99-6-1 during her career under legendary coach Sue Butz. The daughter of Mary and Rich, Tracchio has not declared a major.
“Tara is another player that can use her Emmaus High School and Firestx Club experiences and foundation to further develop into a quality college player. She understands what it takes to be competitive individually and as a team.” – Rolf van de Kerkhof
“The first time I visited the University of Delaware, I fell in love. The campus is beautiful and exactly what I wanted in that it is close, but not too close, to home and has a variety of things to do and places to visit. It is just what I wanted when looking for a school. The team philosophy and chemistry was also just what I was looking for in a field hockey program. Everyone on the team is warm and welcoming and makes you feel like you are a part of the family.” – Tara Tracchio
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Maggie Hayon | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 920-912-6635
