July 21, 2005

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. -Siena College women's water polo head coach Rob Swingle announced the signing of eight student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2005-06 season. Lauren Biehle (Visalia, Calif. / Golden West), Sarah Schneider (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn), Denise Valderrama (Hacienda Heights, Calif. / Los Altos), Roshelle Ogden (Queensburg, N.Y./Glens Falls /Monroe Community College), Erin Clune (Bainbridge Island, Wash./ Bainbridge), Careena Dudic (Aliso Viejo, Calif./Aliso Niguel), Lauren Garrigan (Kailua, Hawaii/Kamehameha HS) and Lynn Whitmire (Houston, Texas/Cypress Ridge HS) will join the Saints line-up next year.

"Overall, I am very satisfied with the incoming class," Swingle said. " We were able to meet all of our needs, including adding experience, speed and team depth. I look forward to having all of our athletes together this coming September."

Biehle, a 5-6 center was a member of the 2004 Central California Youth Zone Team. During her senior year she was named to the First Team, and selected Most Valuable Player of the West Yosemite League. "I am very excited about adding Lauren for next year's team," Swingle said. "She brings a great deal of experience with her to go along with her excellent ability at 2-meters. She should have an immediate, positive impact on our team."

Schneider, a 5-9 attacker scored 83 goals and snatched 85 steals during her senior year which garnered First Team All-State and Second Team All-American. At the Pennsylvania State Swimming Championships she swam splits of 24.78 and 55.03 in the 200 and 400 freestyle relay respectively. "I am really excited about Sarah's raw power and competitive nature," Swingle said.. "She has great speed, and will be a difficult matchup for our opponents."

Valderrama, a 5-7 utility player comes to Siena with seven years of experience after transferring from Citrus College where she nabbed the Most Valuable Player honor of the Western States Conference. The junior college All-American tallied 169 goals and grabbed 148 steals. For her efforts, she was selected Citrus College Athlete of the Year and named First Team All-Southern California. "Denise should help meet our needs across the board," Swingle said. "Her ability to truly play everywhere in the pool makes her a special addition to our team."

Ogden, a 5-7 defender was an All-American in the 100 and 200 backstroke at Monroe Community College.. "Roshelle is an outstanding aquatic athlete," Swingle said. "She has a thirst to improve at the game of water polo and we are very happy she has chosen Siena as the place to pursue that goal."

Clune, a 5-6 attacker was named the Most Valuable Player after leading her team to the Washington State Championship as a junior. "Erin has performed very well in some big games for her high school team," Swingle said. "I expect her to bring that same level of performance to Siena next year."

Dudic, a 5-11 goalie was a twice named team Most Valuable Player during her freshman and junior year. She was also selected MVP of the Western Tournament as a junior. "Careena will add some necessary depth to our goalie position next year," Swingle said. "Her height and athleticism will certainly benefit our team each day."

Garrigan, a 5-4 utility player was named First Team All-Interscholastic League Hawaii (ILH) and to the First Team Division 1 All-Stars Team as a junior. As a member of the 2004 Pacific Northwest/Hawaiian Youth Zone Team, Interscholastic League Hawaiian (ILH), she was a champion in the 100 backstroke as a sophomore. "Lauren is an outstanding addition to our team," Swingle said "She can score goals from 2-meters in big games, swim with the best athletes, and has even played some goalie on her zone team. That kind of all around water polo talent will be an excellent fit at Siena."

Whitmire, a 5-9 utility player comes to Siena from Cypress Ridge High School, where she was a member of the 2004 Southwest Youth Zone Team and an alternate on the 2004 Youth National "B" Team. "Lynn brings a lot of natural ability with her to Siena including size, speed and an excellent shot," Swingle said. "Her instincts during a game are what stand out to me though. As she plays at Siena over the next few years, it will be exciting to see what she can do."

This class marks the largest signing in program history. Siena water polo began competition in 2002.