Volleyball signs three
November 17, 2009 | Volleyball
Nov. 17, 2009
MADISON, Wis. - Coach Pete Waite announced the signing of three players to National Letters of Intent to join the University of Wisconsin volleyball team in 2010. Annemarie Hickey, a 5-8 defensive specialist from Oswego, Ill.; Dominique Thompson, a 5-11 middle blocker from Plymouth, Minn.; and Elise Walch, a 6-5 outside hitter from Palm City, Fla., will become Badgers next season.
"We are extremely excited about what this class will bring to our program," says Waite. "Each player brings great athletic talent and each of them is a great person and a great competitor. They are all leaders on their teams and each have the ability to dominate a match in their respective positions. "All three can make an immediate impact on our program and will catch the attention of Badger fans everywhere. We are really looking forward to the day they step on the court with us for the first time."
Hickey led Joliet Catholic Academy to its second straight Illinois Class 3A state championship last Saturday. She had a match-high 13 kills and 11 digs. Under Coach Christine Scheibe, the Angels were 41-1 on the season, winning the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Hickey was named the Chicago Sun Times Player of the Year as well as the East Suburban Player of the Year. She earned two tournament MVP honors during the season and also served as team captain.
Hickey is ranked No. 94 on PrepVolleyball.com's Senior Aces and was also a second-team PrepVolleyball.com Defensive Dandy. She was recognized as the ESPN/Rise National Athlete of the Week on Oct. 22, 2009, and was named an ESPN/Rise Top 9 selection for 2009. As a junior, Hickey was named a PrepVolleyball.com all-American and was nominated for High School Junior of the Year. Hickey plays club volleyball with 1st Alliance under Coach Anne Mastandrea. She was named to the2009 JVDA all-tournament team, leading her club to a second-place finish in the 17-open division. Hickey also earned JVDA all-tournament honors in 2008 and was named the most outstanding attacker at the 2008 PrepVolleyball.com Classic.
"Anne is a phenomenal competitor and a player who raises the level her teammates every time she takes the floor," says Waite. "As a smaller player, she still dominates the net with her wide variety of shots and arm speed. She's a crafty player who has a great volleyball I.Q. and she finds ways to lead her team to the win. Anne's tough serve and great ball control will raise the level of our back court immediately and that's a real priority for our team. She's the kind of player who will not be denied and she will do whatever it takes to win."
 Dominique Thompson  | |
Thompson earned all-state honors in 2009 for Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and Coach Karl Katzenberger. She is a three-time all-conference honoree and three-time team MVP. Thompson was named a third-team all-metro selection by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. She is also an all-state selection in track, earning five medals at the state championships in the sprints.
Thompson is ranked 41st on PrepVolleyball.com's list of senior aces and is on the AVCA Under Armour All-America Watch List. A member of the M1 Volleyball Club, she was named the best attacker at the 2009 National Junior Classic in the 17-open division for coaches Brady Starkey and Thanh Pham. Her team finished fifth in the tournament and third in 2008. Thompson is the daughter of Darrell Thompson, who played football with the Green Bay Packers for five years after a successful career at the University of Minnesota. Her mother Stephanie played volleyball at the University of Iowa.
"Dominique is an explosive middle blocker who really burst onto the scene over the last two seasons," says Waite. "She's a prolific scorer at the net whose speed and jump will put stress on opposing defenders. She began as a basketball player and track athlete but she found her real passion was in volleyball. Dom is just beginning to tap into her talents and she's already a force to be reckoned with."
Walch is one of the highest recruited athletes in UW volleyball history. She is ranked 26th by PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace and is on the AVCA All-America watch list. Walch has been a member of the USA Volleyball High Performance team for the last four years and was invited to the 2009 USA Junior Holiday Camp for the top 24 players in the nation. Walch plays for Coach Marty Bielicki at Martin County High School. She had 38 kills in the regional championship match last Saturday, helping the Tigers advance to the Florida state championship for the first time in 10 years. She is a four-time all-conference selection and earned second-team all-state honors as a junior. Walch holds her school's match, season and career records for kills and blocks.
Walch is a member of the Palm Beach Juniors Volleyball Club for Coaches Sam Skelton and Whitney Warren.
 Elise Walch | |
"Elise brings us some great height and power on the left-side attack," says Waite. "She is extremely mobile and fluid for a 6-5 player and she may be the hardest hitter nationally coming out of the 2010 class. Her arsenal also includes a tough jump serve and some real heat hitting out of the back row. Elise's terminating abilities will make an immediate impact on our team and the conference. Her experience with the USA High Performance programs are preparing her to make a quick transition to the college game."
