University of Delaware Athletics
Field Hockey adds UNC transfer Walbert and grey-shirt Whitehead
4/14/2023 1:54:00 PM | Field Hockey
NEWARK, Del. – Delaware field hockey announces the additions of transfer Kylie Walbert and grey-shirt Rachael Whitehead to the 2023 recruiting class on Friday, April 14.
It is great to see that our recruiting efforts are allowing us to welcome top players for Delaware Field Hockey, and have those players enroll as a grey-shirt or mid-year transfer," head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said. "Although Rachael and Kylie have only been with us for the spring semester, it is clear that they are very comfortable within our team setting and their performances speak for themselves. We are looking forward to seeing the two of them being part of our game-day rotation and contributing to Blue Hen success next fall."
About Whitehead: Whitehead comes from Hockessin, Del. and played at The Tatnall School. She arrived on campus in the spring as a grey-shirt. Whitehead has spent time playing with the USA field hockey's U18 team. Whitehead traveled to Utrecht, The Netherlands and Antwerp, Belgium with team USA to compete in its tour back on April 3 and 4. During this tour, Whitehead played against Belgium's and Germany's U18 squads. In the fall, Whitehead will play a mix of midfield, and defensive back.
Van de Kerkhof on Whitehead: "Very excited to welcome one of the best in-state players to our program and even more fortunate to have Rachael already being on campus as a grey-shirt this spring. We are proud and excited with the potential she had displayed and believe she could enter her true freshmen season with the understanding and qualities of a sophomore, something that will allow all involved to be even more excited. Her involvement with the USA Field Hockey RISE Junior National Team, and enrolling full-time during the spring semester will add big time to her ability to have fun and perform this fall."
About Walbert: Walbert comes from Leesburg, Va. and will be a goalkeeper for the Blue Hens in the fall. Walbert played at North Carolina last year where she was a part of the Tar Heels 2022 undefeated National Championship run. At UNC, Walbert appeared in 18 of the Tar Heels 21 games, and made nine starts. She accumulated 12 saves, and boasted an 8-0 record. Prior to her time at UNC, Walbert played her high school field hockey at Virginia Academy.
Van de Kerkhof on Walbert: "It is awesome to welcome Kylie as a Blue Hen. We enjoyed recruiting her during high school experience and are excited to welcome her commitment after one semester at North Carolina. Kylie is driven and a warrior. She loves to compete and will put it all on the line. Her foundation and outlook will allow her to continue her goalkeeping development and become a great lock on the door for our team in seasons to come. In addition to her strong goalkeeping skills she displays leadership qualities key in her position on the field and within our team setting."
It is great to see that our recruiting efforts are allowing us to welcome top players for Delaware Field Hockey, and have those players enroll as a grey-shirt or mid-year transfer," head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said. "Although Rachael and Kylie have only been with us for the spring semester, it is clear that they are very comfortable within our team setting and their performances speak for themselves. We are looking forward to seeing the two of them being part of our game-day rotation and contributing to Blue Hen success next fall."
About Whitehead: Whitehead comes from Hockessin, Del. and played at The Tatnall School. She arrived on campus in the spring as a grey-shirt. Whitehead has spent time playing with the USA field hockey's U18 team. Whitehead traveled to Utrecht, The Netherlands and Antwerp, Belgium with team USA to compete in its tour back on April 3 and 4. During this tour, Whitehead played against Belgium's and Germany's U18 squads. In the fall, Whitehead will play a mix of midfield, and defensive back.
Van de Kerkhof on Whitehead: "Very excited to welcome one of the best in-state players to our program and even more fortunate to have Rachael already being on campus as a grey-shirt this spring. We are proud and excited with the potential she had displayed and believe she could enter her true freshmen season with the understanding and qualities of a sophomore, something that will allow all involved to be even more excited. Her involvement with the USA Field Hockey RISE Junior National Team, and enrolling full-time during the spring semester will add big time to her ability to have fun and perform this fall."
About Walbert: Walbert comes from Leesburg, Va. and will be a goalkeeper for the Blue Hens in the fall. Walbert played at North Carolina last year where she was a part of the Tar Heels 2022 undefeated National Championship run. At UNC, Walbert appeared in 18 of the Tar Heels 21 games, and made nine starts. She accumulated 12 saves, and boasted an 8-0 record. Prior to her time at UNC, Walbert played her high school field hockey at Virginia Academy.
Van de Kerkhof on Walbert: "It is awesome to welcome Kylie as a Blue Hen. We enjoyed recruiting her during high school experience and are excited to welcome her commitment after one semester at North Carolina. Kylie is driven and a warrior. She loves to compete and will put it all on the line. Her foundation and outlook will allow her to continue her goalkeeping development and become a great lock on the door for our team in seasons to come. In addition to her strong goalkeeping skills she displays leadership qualities key in her position on the field and within our team setting."
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Field Hockey
M/B
/ Field HockeyMonday, October 27
Tuesday, October 21
Tuesday, October 14
Tuesday, September 23
