Ball State University Athletics
Field Hockey Signs Four To 2009 Squad
March 20, 2009 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State field hockey program signed four players to National Letters of Intent, according to seventh-year head coach Annette Payne.
For the 2009 season, the Cardinals will welcome Devon Bell (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee); Leann Carroll (Birdsboro, Pa./Twin Valley); Morgan Hammer (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel Area); and Marissa Weachter (Manheim, Pa./Manheim).
“This class is going to be able to bring a lot to the table,” Payne said. “Up on the front lines or in the back, this class brings skills, passion, energy and talent.”
As a four-year letterwinner and starter, Devon Bell earned All-Conference Second Team honors as team captain in 2008 at Cherokee High School in Marlton, N.J. She won the Joel Ferrell Sportsmanship Award at the Junior Olympics. Bell has participated in National Futures Tournaments, the National Field Hockey Festival and National Indoor Tournament for the past three years. She was voted Class Most Athletic her senior year.
“Devon's amount of energy to want to be great is her best asset,” Payne said. “I see her growing tremendously here as a great player.”
Leann Carroll is a four-year letterwinner from Twin Valley High School in Birdsboro, Pa. Under head coach Tammy Eisenhard, she earned 24 goals and 26 assists as the leading scorer both her senior and junior years. Carroll earned All-Division First Team honors as a sophomore, and All-Berks County Team her junior and senior year. She was also voted captain and team MVP as a senior.
“I am excited for Leann to be a part of Ball State field hockey,” Payne said. “She will provide a lot of experience and physical skills to this team.”
Morgan Hammer is a three-year letterwinner at Fox Chapel Area High School in Pittsburgh, Pa under head coach Michele Fischer. While starting every game but two since she was a sophomore, she earned a 91% save average as goalie. As a junior, Hammer was named ESPN Radio High School Player of the Week. As a senior, Hammer was nominated captain and an All-America nominee. She was also a member of the WPIAL All-Star Team all four years.
“Morgan is incredibly driven,” Payne said. “She is fundamentally strong, and her passion and high school experience will give her a lot of success.”
Marissa Weachter, a three-year letterwinner, recorded 24 career goals and 11 assists while leading Manheim Central High School in scoring in 2007 and 2008. Those same years, she was named First Team League All-Star. As co-captain her senior year, she won the MVP Award for her team. She was named Blue Ridge Cable TV Player of the Game in September 2008. Weachter also participated four years in USFHA Futures. She played in two National Indoor Tournaments for Sutters Brigade Too and won a gold medal as pool champions in her third year at the National Field Hockey Festival in 2008. She also earned First Academic Honors for the Fall of 2008.
“Marissa brings a lot to field hockey,” Payne said. “She has great hands and speed as well as goal scoring abilities. She will complement our program very well.”
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