Indiana University Athletics
Signing Day Special: Indiana Adds Six to 2016 Signing Class
11/11/2015 12:17:00 AM | Field Hockey
Six players from New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania have committed to the Hoosiers
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana field hockey head coach Amanda Janney announced today the six signees of Indiana's 2016 Signing Class. Kelsey Giese (Trappe, Pa./Perkiomen Valley), Ciara Girouard (West Deptford, N.J./West Deptford), Jessica Morford (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights), Sam Scire (Wall, N.J./Wall), Grace Sensenig (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata), and Marley Tunnell (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey) will join the Hoosiers as freshmen for the 2016 season.
"We're really excited about the class coming in," Janney said. "They're athletic, they're strong, and they have great hockey skills. They have the speed and competitiveness that will help take this program further into the postseason."
The six players that make up the signing class are incredibly skilled athletes, each with numerous accolades and accomplishments in their field hockey prep careers. Like many of coach Janney's signing classes over her career, these players are fast, athletic, and aggressive, accompanied by a vast knowledge of situational and technical skills.
KELSEY GIESE | B
Trappe, Pa. | Perkiomen Valley
High School:
Kelsey Giese played four seasons under head coach Erik Enters at Perkiomen Valley High School as a back and forward for the Vikings. She totaled an impressive 61 goals and 38 assists in her prep career, including 28 goals and 14 assists in her senior season. Through her junior season, she has acquired numerous accolades from her coaches and teammates, including team captaincy in 2015, three Offensive Spark awards and a Most Valuable Player distinction. Giese is twice an All-State First Team selection, a two-time Junior National Champ selection, a three-time Futures Elite selection, and a three-time Junior Olympic selection. The Vikings reached the district playoffs all four seasons of Giese's career, which included a PAC-10 Championship in 2014.
Club:
Giese split time at the club level with the WC Eagles and with head coach Jeff Harding at True North. Giese had a highly successful career—her clubs took the gold medal in every tournament they entered. Giese is a four-time winner of the NIT Gold Medal, three times a National Club Championship Gold Medal winner, and a gold medalist at the 2014 Disney Showcase.
From Coach Janney: "We're expecting her to come in and compete for a position in the backfield. She has phenomenal passing skills, a solid overhead pass, and her technical skills are advanced for her age. We're really excited about her. She's a terrific defender, but she's also playing forward at her high school, which speaks to her versatility."
High School Honors:
CIARA GIROUARD | F
West Deptford, N.J. | West Deptford
High School:
Ciara Girouard played four seasons under head coach Linda Decker at West Deptford High School. In her time with the Eagles, Girouard honed her athleticism through several sports, including three years of softball and a year of lacrosse. But the mid-forward had a knack for field hockey, and it shows in her individual and team accomplishments.
The South Jersey Times named Girouard the Field Hockey Player of the Year in 2014, in the same year that she captained the Eagles to a South Jersey Group 2 Championship. The Eagles won three such titles in Girouard's career from 2013 to 2015, including a Colonial Conference Championship in 2015. Girouard was West Deptford's captain for two seasons and named the team's Most Valuable Player in 2014 and 2015.
Club:
In club competition, Girouard played for head coach Kathi Liszewski at the South Jersey Edge. The South Jersey Edge won the 2014 U19 National Hockey Festival Championship, and achieved a No. 13 national ranking in 2015. Girouard is one of four players from the club's graduating class this season continuing her career at the collegiate level.
From Coach Janney: "Ciara can score goals. She's a strong, tall, and feisty athlete who isn't afraid to run over somebody. She has that aggressiveness, the spark that we want on the field at all times. She's a fierce competitor."
High School Achievements:
JESSICA MORFORD | M
Shaker Heights, Ohio | Shaker Heights
High School:
Jessica Morford played four years under coach Hilary Anderson at Shaker Heights High School, serving as both a midfielder and forward for the Raiders. The team had a great deal of success in Morford's career, earning a district championship in 2013 and a state title the following season. Morford received First Team All-Ohio honors, First Team All-League selections, and an OFHCA Academic All-Ohio award throughout her career.
Club:
Morford will continue developing her field hockey game at the club level as she prepares for her Hoosier debut next fall. She recently joined head coach Steve Boniface and the Columbus Coyotes, one of the premier clubs in the state of Ohio. The Coyotes have produced players for numerous Big Ten field hockey squads, including Ohio State and Michigan State.
From Coach Janney: "The first thing we noticed with Jessica was that she was an athletic player. She has the attributes that we look for in a Division-I athlete. She's strong, fit, skilled, and has a competitive spirit to do what it takes to win."
High School Achievements:
SAM SCIRE | F
Wall, N.J. | Wall
High School:
Sam Scire flourished in four seasons under head coach Nancy Gross and the Wall High School Crimson Knights. To date, Scire has an astounding 113 goals (a school record) and 44 assists to her name, proving that she'll be a formidable offensive addition to Indiana's dynamic attack front.
Scire earned numerous honors throughout her career, highlighted by a selection to the All-State Third Team in 2014. In both 2013 and 2014, she received First Team All-County honors, First Team All-Group awards, and First Team All-Shore selections. The Lady Knights won three division championships in a row from 2013-2015, and added a Central Jersey Group 2 Championship in 2013.
Club:
During her time at Wall, Scire also played club field hockey for the Jersey Intensity, where she received coaching from Kathleen Stefanelli, Nigel Traverso, and Kelly Monahan-Pearson. The Intensity compiled five tournament podium finishes, one league title, and a Junior Olympics qualification in Scire's tenure with the club.
From Coach Janney: "What I like so much about Sam is that she has that nose for the goal. She's a great scorer with a really strong hit and a quick release. But she's not just a great scorer; she's also a solid setup player. She's a good offensive player who will score a lot of goals, but also create opportunities for others to score. She's savvy on the ball, has great stick work and vision around the goalkeeper. She has great awareness in the circle, so I know she will score goals for us."
High School Notes:
GRACE SENSENIG | M
Ephrata, Pa. | Ephrata
High School:
Grace Sensenig played for three seasons under head coach Joy Rice at Ephrata High School, the alma mater of current Indiana field hockey senior Rachel Stauffer. In her time with the Mountaineers, Sensenig earned two selections to the Lancaster Lebanon League All-Star Second Team and Ephrata's Most Valuable Player award in 2013. Sensenig served as Ephrata's captain in her junior and senior seasons.
With Sensenig, the Mountaineers won the Lancaster Lebanon Section 2 Championship in 2014, and qualified for District competition in 2014 and 2015.
Club:
In club competition, Sensenig played for head coach Bree Gillespie at Lanco Premier. Sensenig took part in several national tournaments with Lanco Premier including the National Indoor Tournament in 2014, two trips to the National Field Hockey Festival, and two outings at the Disney Field Hockey Showcase.
From Coach Janney: "Grace has a good attitude. She's a blue-collar player, who works hard and has great fundamental skills, which gives us a good base for development. These qualities fit the culture of this team at Indiana, built on hard work and toughness in adversity. She's a very coachable player with a strong hit, and we're encouraged by the fact that she comes from a high school which is traditionally strong in field hockey."
High School Highlights:
MARLEY TUNNELL | M
Hummelstown, Pa. | Hershey
High School:
Marley Tunnell played for three seasons for coach Brianna Price at Hershey High School, one of the top field hockey programs in the country. Tunnell started as a midfielder for the Trojans in all three seasons of her prep career, recording three goals and eight assists in the 2015 season. With Hershey, Tunnell was a four-time High School District 3 Tournament semifinalist and a Pennsylvania High School State Tournament qualifier in 2015.
Club:
Outside of varsity competition at Hershey, Tunnell played under head coach Tami Scola for the Alley Cats. Tunnell received valuable playing experience with the Alley Cats at tournaments all across the country. Highlights include a Pennsylvania Junior Premier Outdoor League title in 2015, two podium finishes at Disney Showcase events, and pool wins in the National Field Hockey Festival in 2013 and 2014.
From Coach Janney: "Marley comes from, traditionally, one of the best high schools in the nation at field hockey. Playing at a powerhouse like Hershey, we know that she comes from great coaching, and she came with a high recommendation from her head coach. She's another hard worker who will come here and play unselfishly in the midfield. She's a team player, a great distributor and facilitator with her passing skills, and has a good energy and a positive attitude."
High School Accolades:
"We're really excited about the class coming in," Janney said. "They're athletic, they're strong, and they have great hockey skills. They have the speed and competitiveness that will help take this program further into the postseason."
The six players that make up the signing class are incredibly skilled athletes, each with numerous accolades and accomplishments in their field hockey prep careers. Like many of coach Janney's signing classes over her career, these players are fast, athletic, and aggressive, accompanied by a vast knowledge of situational and technical skills.
KELSEY GIESE | B
Trappe, Pa. | Perkiomen Valley
High School:
Kelsey Giese played four seasons under head coach Erik Enters at Perkiomen Valley High School as a back and forward for the Vikings. She totaled an impressive 61 goals and 38 assists in her prep career, including 28 goals and 14 assists in her senior season. Through her junior season, she has acquired numerous accolades from her coaches and teammates, including team captaincy in 2015, three Offensive Spark awards and a Most Valuable Player distinction. Giese is twice an All-State First Team selection, a two-time Junior National Champ selection, a three-time Futures Elite selection, and a three-time Junior Olympic selection. The Vikings reached the district playoffs all four seasons of Giese's career, which included a PAC-10 Championship in 2014.
Club:
Giese split time at the club level with the WC Eagles and with head coach Jeff Harding at True North. Giese had a highly successful career—her clubs took the gold medal in every tournament they entered. Giese is a four-time winner of the NIT Gold Medal, three times a National Club Championship Gold Medal winner, and a gold medalist at the 2014 Disney Showcase.
From Coach Janney: "We're expecting her to come in and compete for a position in the backfield. She has phenomenal passing skills, a solid overhead pass, and her technical skills are advanced for her age. We're really excited about her. She's a terrific defender, but she's also playing forward at her high school, which speaks to her versatility."
High School Honors:
- 2012 (Freshman)
- Pac-10 Honorable Mention All-Conference
- Honorable Mention Pottstown Mercury All-Area
- 2013 (Sophomore)
- PAHSFHCA First Team All-State
- PAC-10 First Team All-Conference
- First Team Times Herald All-Area
- Second Team Pottstown Mercury All-Area
- 2014 (Junior)
- PAHSFHCA First Team All-State
- Pac-10 First Team All-Conference
- Pottstown Mercury First Team All-Area
- 2015 (Senior) - Team Captain
- Three-time Offensive Spark Award winner
- Most Valuable Player
- Eight gold medals in all eight tournament appearances at the club level.
- Three-time consecutive National Club Championship Gold Medalist (2012-2014)
- Four-time NIT Gold Medalist (2012-2015)
- Gold Medal at the 2014 Disney Showcase
CIARA GIROUARD | F
West Deptford, N.J. | West Deptford
High School:
Ciara Girouard played four seasons under head coach Linda Decker at West Deptford High School. In her time with the Eagles, Girouard honed her athleticism through several sports, including three years of softball and a year of lacrosse. But the mid-forward had a knack for field hockey, and it shows in her individual and team accomplishments.
The South Jersey Times named Girouard the Field Hockey Player of the Year in 2014, in the same year that she captained the Eagles to a South Jersey Group 2 Championship. The Eagles won three such titles in Girouard's career from 2013 to 2015, including a Colonial Conference Championship in 2015. Girouard was West Deptford's captain for two seasons and named the team's Most Valuable Player in 2014 and 2015.
Club:
In club competition, Girouard played for head coach Kathi Liszewski at the South Jersey Edge. The South Jersey Edge won the 2014 U19 National Hockey Festival Championship, and achieved a No. 13 national ranking in 2015. Girouard is one of four players from the club's graduating class this season continuing her career at the collegiate level.
From Coach Janney: "Ciara can score goals. She's a strong, tall, and feisty athlete who isn't afraid to run over somebody. She has that aggressiveness, the spark that we want on the field at all times. She's a fierce competitor."
High School Achievements:
- 2013 (Sophomore)
- West Deptford Most Valuable Player
- South Jersey Group 2 Champions
- 2014 (Junior) - Team Captain
- South Jersey Times Field Hockey Player of the Year
- South Jersey Times Athlete of the Week
- West Deptford Most Valuable Player
- South Jersey Group 2 Champions
- 2015 (Senior) - Team Captain
- Colonial Conference Champions
- Set school records for single-season wins and single-season shutouts
- South Jersey Group 2 Champions
- U19 National Hockey Festival Champions in 2014
- Reached a #13 national ranking in 2015
JESSICA MORFORD | M
Shaker Heights, Ohio | Shaker Heights
High School:
Jessica Morford played four years under coach Hilary Anderson at Shaker Heights High School, serving as both a midfielder and forward for the Raiders. The team had a great deal of success in Morford's career, earning a district championship in 2013 and a state title the following season. Morford received First Team All-Ohio honors, First Team All-League selections, and an OFHCA Academic All-Ohio award throughout her career.
Club:
Morford will continue developing her field hockey game at the club level as she prepares for her Hoosier debut next fall. She recently joined head coach Steve Boniface and the Columbus Coyotes, one of the premier clubs in the state of Ohio. The Coyotes have produced players for numerous Big Ten field hockey squads, including Ohio State and Michigan State.
From Coach Janney: "The first thing we noticed with Jessica was that she was an athletic player. She has the attributes that we look for in a Division-I athlete. She's strong, fit, skilled, and has a competitive spirit to do what it takes to win."
High School Achievements:
- First Team All-Ohio
- First Team All-League
- OFHCA Academic All-Ohio
- 2014 State Champions
- 2013 District Champions
SAM SCIRE | F
Wall, N.J. | Wall
High School:
Sam Scire flourished in four seasons under head coach Nancy Gross and the Wall High School Crimson Knights. To date, Scire has an astounding 113 goals (a school record) and 44 assists to her name, proving that she'll be a formidable offensive addition to Indiana's dynamic attack front.
Scire earned numerous honors throughout her career, highlighted by a selection to the All-State Third Team in 2014. In both 2013 and 2014, she received First Team All-County honors, First Team All-Group awards, and First Team All-Shore selections. The Lady Knights won three division championships in a row from 2013-2015, and added a Central Jersey Group 2 Championship in 2013.
Club:
During her time at Wall, Scire also played club field hockey for the Jersey Intensity, where she received coaching from Kathleen Stefanelli, Nigel Traverso, and Kelly Monahan-Pearson. The Intensity compiled five tournament podium finishes, one league title, and a Junior Olympics qualification in Scire's tenure with the club.
From Coach Janney: "What I like so much about Sam is that she has that nose for the goal. She's a great scorer with a really strong hit and a quick release. But she's not just a great scorer; she's also a solid setup player. She's a good offensive player who will score a lot of goals, but also create opportunities for others to score. She's savvy on the ball, has great stick work and vision around the goalkeeper. She has great awareness in the circle, so I know she will score goals for us."
High School Notes:
- Set a school record for goals (113); first player in Wall history to score over 100
- Third Team All-State selection in 2014
- First Team All-County, All-Group, and All-Shore in 2013 and 2014
- Division Champions in 2013, 2014, and 2015
- Central Jersey Group 2 Champions in 2013
- National Futures Champions in 2014 and 2015
- Junior Olympics qualifiers in 2014
- First place in the Junior Premier Outdoor League (JPOL) in 2013
- At the Disney Showcase: won first place in 2015, third place in 2013, second place in 2012
- Third place finish at the 2013 National Club Championship
- Qualified for National Indoor Tournament from 2011-2015
- Qualified for National Futures Championship in 2013 and 2014
GRACE SENSENIG | M
Ephrata, Pa. | Ephrata
High School:
Grace Sensenig played for three seasons under head coach Joy Rice at Ephrata High School, the alma mater of current Indiana field hockey senior Rachel Stauffer. In her time with the Mountaineers, Sensenig earned two selections to the Lancaster Lebanon League All-Star Second Team and Ephrata's Most Valuable Player award in 2013. Sensenig served as Ephrata's captain in her junior and senior seasons.
With Sensenig, the Mountaineers won the Lancaster Lebanon Section 2 Championship in 2014, and qualified for District competition in 2014 and 2015.
Club:
In club competition, Sensenig played for head coach Bree Gillespie at Lanco Premier. Sensenig took part in several national tournaments with Lanco Premier including the National Indoor Tournament in 2014, two trips to the National Field Hockey Festival, and two outings at the Disney Field Hockey Showcase.
From Coach Janney: "Grace has a good attitude. She's a blue-collar player, who works hard and has great fundamental skills, which gives us a good base for development. These qualities fit the culture of this team at Indiana, built on hard work and toughness in adversity. She's a very coachable player with a strong hit, and we're encouraged by the fact that she comes from a high school which is traditionally strong in field hockey."
High School Highlights:
- Served two years as captain for the Mountaineers
- Ephrata Team MVP in 2013
- Lancaster Lebanon League All-Star Second Team in 2014 and 2015
- Lancaster Lebanon Section 2 Champions in 2014
- 2012: Disney Showcase
- 2013
- Disney Showcase
- National Field Hockey Festival (Fla.)
- 2014
- National Indoor Tournament
- National Field Hockey Festival (Calif.)
- 2015: Shooting Star Tournament
MARLEY TUNNELL | M
Hummelstown, Pa. | Hershey
High School:
Marley Tunnell played for three seasons for coach Brianna Price at Hershey High School, one of the top field hockey programs in the country. Tunnell started as a midfielder for the Trojans in all three seasons of her prep career, recording three goals and eight assists in the 2015 season. With Hershey, Tunnell was a four-time High School District 3 Tournament semifinalist and a Pennsylvania High School State Tournament qualifier in 2015.
Club:
Outside of varsity competition at Hershey, Tunnell played under head coach Tami Scola for the Alley Cats. Tunnell received valuable playing experience with the Alley Cats at tournaments all across the country. Highlights include a Pennsylvania Junior Premier Outdoor League title in 2015, two podium finishes at Disney Showcase events, and pool wins in the National Field Hockey Festival in 2013 and 2014.
From Coach Janney: "Marley comes from, traditionally, one of the best high schools in the nation at field hockey. Playing at a powerhouse like Hershey, we know that she comes from great coaching, and she came with a high recommendation from her head coach. She's another hard worker who will come here and play unselfishly in the midfield. She's a team player, a great distributor and facilitator with her passing skills, and has a good energy and a positive attitude."
High School Accolades:
- Started three seasons at the varsity level for Hershey
- Four-time High School District 3 Tournament semifinalists
- 2015 Pennsylvania High School State Tournament qualifier
- 2013
- U16 National Club Championship: Runner-Up (with PA Mavericks)
- Keystone Games Champion
- National Field Hockey Festival pool winner
- 2014
- Pennsylvania Junior Premier Outdoor League: Runner-Up
- Disney Showcase Pluto Flight Champion
- 2015
- Pennsylvania Junior Premier Outdoor League Champion
- Disney Showcase Elsa Flight: Third Place
Players Mentioned
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