Field Hockey Adds Five Standouts
February 23, 2016 | Field Hockey
Cards welcome five freshmen to 2016 team
University of Louisville field hockey coach Justine Sowry has announced that five prospective student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Cardinals. Carter Ayars, Hollyn Barr, Isabella Leeker, Bethany Russ and Sydnie Swartwood will be eligible to play in the fall of 2016.
"We are thrilled to announce the newest additions to the Louisville Field Hockey program," said Sowry. "Each student-athlete is well-rounded and will contribute both on the hockey field and in the classroom. I cannot wait to get the 2016 fall season started."
Carter Ayars
Back
Wilmington, Del.
Sanford HS
X-Calibur Club Team
Carter Ayars, hails from Wilmington, Delaware and was a five-year varsity starter for Sanford School where she helped lead her team to the first round of the state tournament in 2013 and 2014. The 2015 team captain was a three-time all-conference selection (2012-14). She earned all-state first team honors in 2014 and was named to the second team in 2013. Ayars, who is also an all-state soccer player, was named the Delaware Women's Alliance for Sports and Fitness Athlete of Promise in 2013 and was named Outstanding Female Athlete in 2012.
Ayars also plays for the X-Calibur Club team which won its division in the Junior Premier Indoor League (JPIL) in the U16 and U19 divisions in 2014 and 2015 as well as pool play in the 2015 USA Field Hockey National Indoor Tournament. The National Club Championship U16 and U19 selection was also picked to participate in the USFHA 2015 Futures Elite program and the 2014 Junior Olympics.
Carter Ayars on the University of Louisville
"The University of Louisville has a supportive environment for all student-athletes. This creates a great atmosphere and positive energy - it's like everyone is in it together. I love how great the coaches are and how the team is like a family."
Justine Sowry on Carter Ayars
"Carter hails from one of the most successful and established clubs in the USA. She is well prepared for Division I level and will be a very strong contributor over the course of her career. She is a true defender who has the ability to 'do it all.' Her strengths are her distribution skills, her desire to win the ball, and her calmness on defense. "
Hollyn Barr
Goalkeeper
Lancaster, Pa.
Hempfield High School
Lanco Premier
Hollyn Barr joins the Cardinals from Lancaster, Pa., where she played for Hempfield High School. The three-time Lancaster-Lebanon league all-star and 2015 all-league team member was named defensive MVP of the all-star game. The goalkeeper posted a 65-29 career record and an .830 save percentage. She helped Hempfield to four district titles and reached the Lancaster-Lebanon league finals four straight years. Her team also reached the state semifinals in 2012.
Barr's club team reached the finals of the Disney Field Hockey Showcase and the National Indoor Tournament.
Hollyn Barr on the University of Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because it has a great field hockey program and it feels like home."
Justine Sowry on Hollyn Barr
"Hollyn joins our goalkeeping team and has tremendous potential to be one of the best. She is incredibly athletic in the pads and we have already seen great growth in her individual skills. In an extremely tough league, she is coming off of a very successful senior season campaign. She will have a great mentor in front of her that will enable her to learn and prepare for ACC play."
Isabella Leeker
Back
St. Louis
Villa Duchesne High School
Aim Field Hockey Club Team
Isabella Leeker joins the Cardinals from St. Louis, Mo., where she played for Villa Duchesne High School and Aim Field Hockey Club Team. She helped lead her high school team to the state championship game in 2013 and 2015. The three-year varsity starter registered 31 goals and 32 assists throughout her career and was ranked in the top 10 in the state in both categories her junior and senior seasons. The three-time all-conference first team selection earned Post-Dispatch All-Metro and senior all-star honors in 2015.
While playing for the St. Louis Aim Field Hockey Under-19 squad, she led the team in scoring en route to the 2015 Midwest Tournament semifinals, notching 12 goals and dishing out 11 assists. Over the last three seasons, Aim posted national finishes of fourth (2013), ninth (2014) and 12th (2015).
Isabella Leeker on the University of Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because when I played there, it felt right. I loved everything about it and could not imagine myself anywhere but there."
Justine Sowry on Isabella Leeker
"Bella is a well-rounded young woman. She is a strong defender who has a presence on field and will add depth to our young defensive unit. She has great energy and a personality that will no doubt enhance our team dynamic. Her enthusiasm and her team first attitude combined with her competitiveness make her a potential future leader of this program."
Bethany Russ
Midfielder/Forward
Melbourne, Australia
Wesley College
Footscray Hockey Club
Bethany Russ joins the Cardinals from Melbourne, Australia where she was named to the Wesley College First 11 team in each of the last six seasons (2010-15). She helped her team to the 2014 Premiership and was a 2015 team captain. Additionally, she was the 2014-15 top goal scorer and named 2015 Best and Fairest.
Russ is member of the Australian Futures Futuroos squad and the Victorian Emerging Vipers. She also competed in the Footscray Premier League (2012-15) and has been a member of the Victoria Representation since 2010.
Bethany Russ on the University of Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because of the wonderful family aspect UofL provides, and I believe it will provide me a wonderful opportunity in both hockey and academics. I really wanted to play for an ACC team, and I believe UofL can win an NCAA title."
Justine Sowry on Bethany Russ
"Bethany is a talent out of Australia and has played at the highest level for her age group. She will bring a great deal of versatility to the program and will be able to support the team from any position. Her ability to read the game, her tactical awareness and her skill set are already at an impressive level and we look forward to continuing Bethany's development at the collegiate level."
Sydnie Swartwood
Midfielder/ Forward
Yorktown, Va.
Grafton HS
Focus Field Hockey Club Team
Sydnie Swartwood comes to Louisville from Yorktown, Va., where she was a four-year varsity starter and 2015 team captain for Grafton High School. While playing for Grafton, her team advanced to three regional semifinals. Swartwood was tabbed the 2015 Conference 18 Player of the Year and earned first team all-state honors after leading her team to the Conference 18 title. The three-time all-conference first team selection was also a first team all-region member her junior and senior seasons and earned all-region honorable honors as a sophomore.
While playing for Focus Field Hockey Club Team, Swartwood helped lead her team to the Under-19 Region 8 championship in 2015.
Sydnie Swartwood on the University of Louisville
"You know that feeling when everything just feels right and you just know this is where you want to be? That was me when I visited the UofL campus for the first time. The opportunity to be part of a perennial top 10 field hockey program is tremendous in and of itself, but after touring the campus, visiting the academic and athletic facilities, meeting and talking with coaches Sowry, Lucas, and Olivia, and ultimately my future teammates, I was hooked! I know I will be challenged athletically and academically, but I will be more than just another student-athlete, I will be part of the Cardinal family, like my grandfather. It's like UofL and I both chose each other and that really is pretty sweet. "
Justine Sowry on Sydnie Swartwood
"Sydnie hails from a strong club, has been well-coached. We are happy to have recruited such talent from the Virginia area. She is gritty with a solid attacking skill set and will deliver a needed 'punch' on attack. Her versatility will help provide flexibility and depth on both our midfield and forward line this season."
"We are thrilled to announce the newest additions to the Louisville Field Hockey program," said Sowry. "Each student-athlete is well-rounded and will contribute both on the hockey field and in the classroom. I cannot wait to get the 2016 fall season started."
Carter AyarsBack
Wilmington, Del.
Sanford HS
X-Calibur Club Team
Carter Ayars, hails from Wilmington, Delaware and was a five-year varsity starter for Sanford School where she helped lead her team to the first round of the state tournament in 2013 and 2014. The 2015 team captain was a three-time all-conference selection (2012-14). She earned all-state first team honors in 2014 and was named to the second team in 2013. Ayars, who is also an all-state soccer player, was named the Delaware Women's Alliance for Sports and Fitness Athlete of Promise in 2013 and was named Outstanding Female Athlete in 2012.
Ayars also plays for the X-Calibur Club team which won its division in the Junior Premier Indoor League (JPIL) in the U16 and U19 divisions in 2014 and 2015 as well as pool play in the 2015 USA Field Hockey National Indoor Tournament. The National Club Championship U16 and U19 selection was also picked to participate in the USFHA 2015 Futures Elite program and the 2014 Junior Olympics.
Carter Ayars on the University of Louisville
"The University of Louisville has a supportive environment for all student-athletes. This creates a great atmosphere and positive energy - it's like everyone is in it together. I love how great the coaches are and how the team is like a family."
Justine Sowry on Carter Ayars
"Carter hails from one of the most successful and established clubs in the USA. She is well prepared for Division I level and will be a very strong contributor over the course of her career. She is a true defender who has the ability to 'do it all.' Her strengths are her distribution skills, her desire to win the ball, and her calmness on defense. "
Hollyn BarrGoalkeeper
Lancaster, Pa.
Hempfield High School
Lanco Premier
Hollyn Barr joins the Cardinals from Lancaster, Pa., where she played for Hempfield High School. The three-time Lancaster-Lebanon league all-star and 2015 all-league team member was named defensive MVP of the all-star game. The goalkeeper posted a 65-29 career record and an .830 save percentage. She helped Hempfield to four district titles and reached the Lancaster-Lebanon league finals four straight years. Her team also reached the state semifinals in 2012.
Barr's club team reached the finals of the Disney Field Hockey Showcase and the National Indoor Tournament.
Hollyn Barr on the University of Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because it has a great field hockey program and it feels like home."
Justine Sowry on Hollyn Barr
"Hollyn joins our goalkeeping team and has tremendous potential to be one of the best. She is incredibly athletic in the pads and we have already seen great growth in her individual skills. In an extremely tough league, she is coming off of a very successful senior season campaign. She will have a great mentor in front of her that will enable her to learn and prepare for ACC play."
Isabella LeekerBack
St. Louis
Villa Duchesne High School
Aim Field Hockey Club Team
Isabella Leeker joins the Cardinals from St. Louis, Mo., where she played for Villa Duchesne High School and Aim Field Hockey Club Team. She helped lead her high school team to the state championship game in 2013 and 2015. The three-year varsity starter registered 31 goals and 32 assists throughout her career and was ranked in the top 10 in the state in both categories her junior and senior seasons. The three-time all-conference first team selection earned Post-Dispatch All-Metro and senior all-star honors in 2015.
While playing for the St. Louis Aim Field Hockey Under-19 squad, she led the team in scoring en route to the 2015 Midwest Tournament semifinals, notching 12 goals and dishing out 11 assists. Over the last three seasons, Aim posted national finishes of fourth (2013), ninth (2014) and 12th (2015).
Isabella Leeker on the University of Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because when I played there, it felt right. I loved everything about it and could not imagine myself anywhere but there."
Justine Sowry on Isabella Leeker
"Bella is a well-rounded young woman. She is a strong defender who has a presence on field and will add depth to our young defensive unit. She has great energy and a personality that will no doubt enhance our team dynamic. Her enthusiasm and her team first attitude combined with her competitiveness make her a potential future leader of this program."
Bethany RussMidfielder/Forward
Melbourne, Australia
Wesley College
Footscray Hockey Club
Bethany Russ joins the Cardinals from Melbourne, Australia where she was named to the Wesley College First 11 team in each of the last six seasons (2010-15). She helped her team to the 2014 Premiership and was a 2015 team captain. Additionally, she was the 2014-15 top goal scorer and named 2015 Best and Fairest.
Russ is member of the Australian Futures Futuroos squad and the Victorian Emerging Vipers. She also competed in the Footscray Premier League (2012-15) and has been a member of the Victoria Representation since 2010.
Bethany Russ on the University of Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because of the wonderful family aspect UofL provides, and I believe it will provide me a wonderful opportunity in both hockey and academics. I really wanted to play for an ACC team, and I believe UofL can win an NCAA title."
Justine Sowry on Bethany Russ
"Bethany is a talent out of Australia and has played at the highest level for her age group. She will bring a great deal of versatility to the program and will be able to support the team from any position. Her ability to read the game, her tactical awareness and her skill set are already at an impressive level and we look forward to continuing Bethany's development at the collegiate level."
Sydnie SwartwoodMidfielder/ Forward
Yorktown, Va.
Grafton HS
Focus Field Hockey Club Team
Sydnie Swartwood comes to Louisville from Yorktown, Va., where she was a four-year varsity starter and 2015 team captain for Grafton High School. While playing for Grafton, her team advanced to three regional semifinals. Swartwood was tabbed the 2015 Conference 18 Player of the Year and earned first team all-state honors after leading her team to the Conference 18 title. The three-time all-conference first team selection was also a first team all-region member her junior and senior seasons and earned all-region honorable honors as a sophomore.
While playing for Focus Field Hockey Club Team, Swartwood helped lead her team to the Under-19 Region 8 championship in 2015.
Sydnie Swartwood on the University of Louisville
"You know that feeling when everything just feels right and you just know this is where you want to be? That was me when I visited the UofL campus for the first time. The opportunity to be part of a perennial top 10 field hockey program is tremendous in and of itself, but after touring the campus, visiting the academic and athletic facilities, meeting and talking with coaches Sowry, Lucas, and Olivia, and ultimately my future teammates, I was hooked! I know I will be challenged athletically and academically, but I will be more than just another student-athlete, I will be part of the Cardinal family, like my grandfather. It's like UofL and I both chose each other and that really is pretty sweet. "
Justine Sowry on Sydnie Swartwood
"Sydnie hails from a strong club, has been well-coached. We are happy to have recruited such talent from the Virginia area. She is gritty with a solid attacking skill set and will deliver a needed 'punch' on attack. Her versatility will help provide flexibility and depth on both our midfield and forward line this season."
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