May 10, 2004
IOWA CITY – University of Iowa field hockey Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum announced the signing of two additional members to its 2004 recruiting class today. Katherine Vella and Katie Rhodes will join Caroline Blaum, Whitney Raffo and Kadi Sickel who signed earlier this year.
Rhodes, a defender/midfielder from Zionsville, PA, was a 2003 first team all-area pick, and helped her Emmaus High School team to the 2001 Pennsylvania High School Championship. As a senior, Rhodes guided her team to the 2003 PIAAA State Semi-Finals. She is also a member of the Fire Styx and participated in the National Hockey Festival and the National Indoor Tournament. Rhodes is a two-sport athlete, and was a star midfielder on her Emmaus High School soccer team.
“Katie is a steady defender with excellent passing ability,” Griesbaum said. “Her strength and poise will allow her to be a steady force in our defense right away. Katie will help in our transition game as well as in a settled defensive situation. She has steadily improved her game over the past year and we are looking forward to her continued improvement as a Hawkeye.”
Vella, a midfielder/forward from Sydney, Australia, was the captain and top goal scorer for her club team in the Sydney Women’s League. In 2002, she was named Player of the Tournament in the Parramatta Women’s Hockey Association. That same year she was named the MVP and Player of the Finals for her Strikers club team. The PWHA is the highest level of field hockey in Australia.
“Katherine is a very crafty attacking player,” Griesbaum said. “She will add a dynamic to our offensive efforts that we have not had in the past. Katherine is versatile and will be able to play in both our midfield and forward line. Her skills on attacking penalty corners will be utilized right away as well. We are very excited about Katherine joining the Hawkeyes.”