WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Head Coach Don Ferguson is pleased to announce four additions to the University of Hartford Volleyball program. Taylor McCreery (St. Louis, Mo.), Dionna Kirton (Everett, Wash.), Lindsay Anderson ( Crystal Lake, Ill.) and Brooke Tallinger (Rochester, N.Y.) will be looking to make an impact upon their arrival in the fall.
“I'm extremely excited to welcome this group of quality young ladies to our team and community,” Ferguson remarked. “All of them will be assets to us and the University as a whole. They bring depth and skill sets that our team will need in the years to come.”
McCreery, a 5-11 outside hitter and defensive specialist, arrives in West Hartford after competing for Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis. There, she served as captain and lead her team in kills, while also ranking fifth in her conference. Despite those numbers, it isn't her offense that caught Coach Ferguson's eye.
“Taylor has the ability to be one of the best defenders to come to Hartford,” the coach asserted. “Her athleticism and attitude on the defensive end will be a welcome addition next year. Her ability to terminate the ball in multiple tempos is a plus, but it truly is her defense and her attitude that makes Taylor stand out.”
During her club season, McCreery competes for Southwest Illinois Volleyball Club where she has helped guide her teams to Junior Nationals on six different occasions. A National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars member, McCreery will be entering the Barney School of Business as undecided. She is the daughter of David and Susan McCreery.
Dionna Kirton, a 5-10 outside hitter, is traveling from coast to coast arriving from Everett, Wash. Kirton played for Jackson High School in 2006 and 2007 before transferring to Washington state power house King's High School in Seattle. Kirton was a multi-sport athlete at both schools, participating in basketball as well. She finished her high school career guiding King's High School to back-to-back state championships in 2008 and 2009, when she was rewarded as a first-team all-conference and all-state performer.
“I don't think I have ever seen someone who plays as hard as Dee Dee does and also have a huge smile on her face the entire time,” Ferguson said. “She is truly someone who loves to play, compete and improve. She has good hops and an innate ability to find ways to score and put the ball away. She has an extremely fast arm swing and lots of power. I think Dee Dee will make tremendous strides here and will be an asset to us on the left side.”
Kirton also competes for northwest powerhouse Washington Volleyball Academy. In addition, she was heavily involved in school activities such as Mock Trial and community service projects. She arrives in the fall enrolled in School of Arts and Sciences as a Psychology major. She is the daughter of Douglas and Heather Kirton.
Lindsay Anderson, a 6-1 middle hitter, comes from the greater Windy City area. The resident of Crystal Lake, Ill. attended Crystal Lake Central High School and was named one of the Top Fifty Players by the Chicago Sun-Times. In 2007 she helped her team win the State Championship and guided their return to the upper echelon of Illinois volleyball in 2009 with a fourth place finish. During that time she was named as a first-team all-conference selection.
“Lindsay has a ton of potential for success at the next level and is extremely hungry to get there,” Ferguson commented. “She has length and great timing on her block that that we have lacked in years past. Her blocking ability will make a difference right away for us and her quickness will aid in transitioning her offensive game to the college level.”
During the club season, Anderson competes for Club Fusion, which is consistently one of the top clubs in the nation. An honor roll and student council member, Anderson will enroll in the Barney School of Business as Business major. She is the daughter of Scott and Kim Anderson.
Brooke Tallinger, a 5-9 setter, travels the shortest distance to join the Hawks in West Hartford. The Penfield, N.Y. resident competed for and graduated from Our Lady of Mercy High School in Rochester, where she competed for the volleyball, softball and basketball programs. Tallinger was a four-year starter and team leader in assists. This past season she captained her school's team to a New York state finals appearance for the first time in 11 years. She has been recognized numerous times for her performances both in the Parochial League and her performances during sectional and state finals play, but capped off her senior year as being named one of the league's Senior Athletes of the Year.
“Brooke has an excellent volleyball IQ and great placement on her sets,” said Ferguson. “She demonstrates the desire to learn and compete at the next level and will be expected to fight for time against Lindsay Ford. She also has the capacity to play defense on the right side. She provides us with Depth at the setter position that we did not have last season.”
During club season, Tallinger competed for VolleyFX, helping guide them to a championship at the MLK Kickoff Classic. Heavily involved in community service projects in her school and community, this three-time scholar athlete honoree also has been politically involved, serving as an Assistant Legislative Director at her school and attending state conferences in Albany. Tallinger comes to the University of Hartford enrolled as a communication and broadcast journalism major in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the daughter of Douglas Tallinger and JoAnne Ryan.
“These four young ladies will make outstanding contributions to our program and the university as a whole,” Ferguson summarized. “The qualities and values that they possess will aid in our continual excellence in academic performance and community based service. Their personal and team goals and their demonstrated desire to achieve will help bring competition to practice everyday and will improve our team's performance on the court. I'm extremely pleased with not only the athletic abilities that these student athletes bring, but their character as well. Additionally, these four will be joining the court with Lindsay Swan, a 6-2 Middle Hitter who will be beginning her first year of competition. I look forward to working with this group.”
