Liberty Lacrosse Adds 10 Players in 2021-22 Class
11/12/2020 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
The Liberty lacrosse team has announced the addition of 10 student-athletes for the 2021-22 academic year.
The 10-player recruiting class – Lily Barger (North Carolina), Brooke Beard (Georgia), Taylor Gallarello (New York), Celena Kerr (Pennsylvania), Madeleine Klunder (Virginia), Cami Merkel (Georgia), Taiva Reinertson (Minnesota), Mara Tellers (Connecticut), Kate Troutman (Pennsylvania) and Katie Rodriguez (Michigan) – reside from eight different states.
"What a time to be a Flame! We are really excited this day has finally come. We are looking forward to welcoming this well-rounded group of student-athletes into our Flames Family," said Liberty Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Kelly Nangle. "Our program has continued to grow and flourish with every new class that has arrived on the mountain. We are excited for the impact this class will make on the field, in the classroom and in the community. I am excited for them to celebrate this day as they take the first steps in starting what will be a journey of a lifetime. Go Flames!"
Lily Barger (D – Weddington, N.C./Weddington HS)
Barger, a defender who hails from Weddington, N.C., is a two-time first team all-conference honoree, earning those distinctions as a freshman and sophomore. A three-year varsity starter, she has guided her team to a No. 1 ranking in the state of North Carolina each of her first three years while leading the team to a 35-2 overall mark and two conference titles.
"I am so blessed to be a part of such a talented team and have very motivating coaches. I'm even more excited to represent a school that glorifies His name on and off the field," Barger said. "Liberty has such a positive culture and overall is a perfect fit for me. I can't wait to be a Flame!"
Barger has totaled 73 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers in her time at Weddington High School. Her most memorable lacrosse moment to date was ending rival school Cardinal Gibbons' winning streak at 53 games. She is also a member of LaxElite, based out of Charlotte, N.C.
"Lily will graduate as the most decorated defender to play at Weddington High School and one of the top defenders in the state. She is hardworking, tough and plays with tremendous effort. She has a passion for her teammates, the program and lacrosse that makes her a pleasure to coach."
Peter Case, Weddington High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach
"Lily is a tremendous athlete. She has a humble demeanor but is quite the competitor. She is a huge contributor both defensively and in transition for our team. She simply works hard in everything she takes on and knows no other way. She strives for excellence in herself and her endeavors. I have no doubt she will do great things in her future at Liberty University."
Nikki Bello, LaxElite Lacrosse Club Coach
Our second signee is Lily Barger!!! Welcome home, Lily!!!#202WON #NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/rINx44gRF2
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 11, 2020
Brooke Beard (A – Roswell, Ga./Fellowship Christian HIgh School
Beard, an attacker from Roswell, Ga., was a first team all-state selection in Georgia as a sophomore when she compiled 84 goals, 39 assists, 123 points and 30 ground balls. Beard and Fellowship Christian High School reached the final four of the state tournament that year (2019) and finished with a 17-2 record. During an abbreviated junior year in 2020 (eight games, 6-2 team record), she scored 24 goals and 14 points, 38 points and 17 ground balls.
"Signing with Liberty means that I am committing to my dream school with wonderful coaches and an awesome team that shares in the value of honoring God," Beard stated. "I look forward to creating a family with my teammates and coaches and being able to share my life with them."
As a freshman at Fellowship Christian, Beard contributed 40 goals, 26 assists, 66 points and 22 ground balls for a 12-7 squad. She also has competed at the club level for Southern Zone Lacrosse.
"Nothing makes me prouder than being able to watch Brooke move on to play for Liberty in the fall. She brought joy, excitement, and possibility to our team, and not one time did she stray from chasing her dream! My wish for Brooke is that her love of the game, her unquestionable dedication to her growth and her unique ability to relish in the success of others serve her well at the school of her dreams."
Tracy Morgan, Fellowship Christian High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach
Our fourth signee is Brooke Beard!!! Welcome home, Brooke!!!#202WON #NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/tXlLw3ena0
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 11, 2020
Taylor Gallarello (GK – Center Moriches, N.Y./Westhampton Beach HS)
Gallarello will be joining the Lady Flames from Center Moriches, N.Y. The goalkeeper has competed at the varsity level for Westhampton Beach High School since the eighth grade and had 93 saves between her freshman and sophomore seasons while leading her team to a 60-28 combined mark. Gallarello held a .580 save percentage as a freshman and a .500 save percentage as a sophomore. She earned FIG No. 43 Fantastic 50 of Long Island honors and Back of the Cage Top 50 High School honorable mention distinction in 2019.
"Signing with Liberty confirmed that I am on the right path to become my best self," Gallarello said.
Gallarello held a .580 save percentage as a freshman and a .500 save percentage as a sophomore. She earned FIG No. 43 Fantastic 50 of Long Island honors and Back of the Cage Top 50 High School honorable mention distinction in 2019. Gallarello has competed at the club level for Long Island Top Guns.
Our fifth signee is Taylor Gallarello!!! Welcome home, Taylor!!!#202WON #NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/e1jTHnbP7g
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 11, 2020
Celena Kerr (A – Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair HS)
Kerr, an attacker, is one of two 2021 signees from the state of Pennsylvania along with future teammate Kate Troutman (Reading, Pa.). In two seasons at Upper St. Clair High School, Kerr has totaled 85 goals, 133 assists, 218 points, 40 caused turnovers, 67 ground balls and 117 draw controls. The attacker set a school record for most assists in a season as a sophomore (78) and earned WPIAL Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman in 2018 when she set the record for most assists as a freshman (55).
Kerr and the Upper St. Clair Panthers held a combined 28-7 record in 2018 and 2019 and finished as the section champions and WPIAL runner-up in 2019. Kerr scored the game-tying and game-winning goals in Upper St. Clair's section title game in 2019. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native also competes for the Pittsburgh Premier Lacrosse Club (PPLC).
Our seventh signee is Celena Kerr!!! Welcome to the family, Celena!!!#202WON #NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/jkBZSpsRAy
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 11, 2020
Madeleine Klunder (D – Fairfax Station, Va./Bishop Ireton HS)
Klunder, a defender, has enjoyed a successful prep career at Bishop Ireton High School. The Fairfax Station, Va., native has notched 20 goals, 12 assists, 32 points, 53 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers for a Bishop Ireton Cardinals squad that won a state title in 2018 and captured WCAC titles in both 2018 and 2019 while posting a 38-9 combined record.
"I chose Liberty because of the unbelievably inspiring faith and faith-based environment. The team and community were so welcoming," Klunder stated. "The beautiful campus, excellent academics and wonderful athletes made me feel like there was only one choice in joining the Flames family."
Klunder says her most memorable lacrosse memory was helping Bishop Ireton to a third consecutive WCAC crown in 2019. She has also played at the club level for VA Metro Lacrosse Club.
"Madeleine Klunder is a true joy to coach, as she's a selfless player that's willing to contribute anywhere on the field to help her team. She's a true leader, never complains, always brings a positive attitude and is a fierce competitor, which is directly reflected in her play and contributions on the field. Madeleine is also someone who works tirelessly on her own off the field to continue to develop as a student-athlete, which will undoubtedly help her be successful at Liberty University. We wish you nothing but the best, Madeleine, and look forward to following you in the future!"
Justin Fitzgerald, VA Metro Lacrosse Club Head Coach
Our 10th and final signee is Madeleine Klunder!!! Welcome to the family, Madeleine!!!#202WON #NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/8rEsQHP6hH
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 12, 2020
Cami Merkel (A – Cumming, Ga./West Forsyth HS)
Merkel, a prolific scorer at the high school level, will be joining Liberty from West Forsyth High School. In three years for the Wolverines, she has compiled 171 goals, 122 assists, 293 points and 118 ground balls while guiding her team to 37 victories. She is one of two 2021 signees from the state of Georgia, joining future teammate Brooke Beard (Roswell, Ga.).
Merkel's most impressive season came in spring 2019 as a sophomore, as she earned USL first team All-American, first team all-state, 2019 Girls Lacrosse Forsyth County Player of the Year and first team all-county distinction. During that season, she recorded 97 goals, 58 assists, 155 points (most points by a player in the state of Georgia), 55 ground balls, a .840 free-position percentage and .700 shooting percentage while leading her team to the final four of the state tournament.
"I am very excited to sign with Liberty, as it provides me the opportunity to pursue a great education and further myself as a Christian," Merkel said.
As a freshman during the 2018 campaign, Merkel tallied 50 goals, 41 assists, 91 points, 35 ground balls and 51 draws and helped her team reach the state quarterfinals. She earned first team all-county honors and offensive MVP distinction. In an abbreviated junior season (2020), the attacker scored 24 goals and added 23 assists, 47 points and 28 ground balls for an unbeaten (7-0) West Forsyth squad. Merkel has also played at the club level for the Lady Laxers Lacrosse Club and Eagle Stix Lacrosse.
Our ninth signee is Cami Merkel!!! Welcome to the family, Cami!!!#202WON #NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/wbhlGUZDvf
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 12, 2020
Taiva Reinertson (M – Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley HS)
Reinertson will be second player in program history from the state of Minnesota and first since 2012 (Caitlin Fontaine). The midfielder helped her team to a 25-9 combined record in 2018 and 2019 while racking up numerous individual accolades in 2019: Team MVP (2019), all-state (2019), all-section first team (2019), all-conference (2019), Pioneer Press Player of the Week (2019), Star Tribune Top Performer of the Week (2019) and Star Tribune Prep Athlete of the Week (2019). In 2018, Reinertson and the Apple Valley Eagles went 18-1 and were state champions, section champions and conference champions during that memorable season in which they were also ranked No. 1 in the state of Minnesota.
"Liberty was my dream school regardless if I played lacrosse. My goal during the recruiting process was to find a school that would help me grow in my faith, develop into the best student-athlete I can be and provide a home away from home," Reinertson stated. "Liberty University checks off all those boxes. When I found out they wanted me to play there just as much as I wanted to, I was at a loss for words. What I saw as my future is what they wanted, too."
In 34 high school games to date, Reinertson has totaled 102 goals, 35 assists, 137 points, 40 ground balls and 19 caused turnovers. During her sophomore season (2019), she finished second in the state for most goals scored in a regular season with 74. Reinertson has also competed at the club level for Minnesota Elite Girls Lacrosse.
"Taiva embodies being a well-rounded, versatile player. From a very young age, she focused on all details of her game. From ground balls to draw controls to defensive work and shooting, Taiva puts in equal time into all parts of her development. Her feisty, competitive spirit comes out on the lacrosse field, and she never does shy away from bigger matchups. She is a team player, understanding that being at her best will help the team do its best. She embraces her role and works to perfect it. It was clear right from meeting her that nothing would stop her to achieve her athletic and academic goals. Her go-get-it attitude has pushed her to be at her best and to land her at Liberty University."
Alexandra Ross, Apple Valley High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach
Our first NLI signee from the Class of #202WON is Taiva Reinertson!!! Welcome home, Taiva!!!#NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/eskUNrtP9m
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 11, 2020
Mara Tellers (GK – Tolland, Conn./Tolland HS)
Tellers is a goalkeeper who hails from Tolland, Conn., and will be one of two Lady Flames from the state of Connecticut when she arrives in Lynchburg, joining current freshman Brieanna Bernier (Somers, Conn.). A two-time all-state and two-time all-conference performer, Tellers guided her high school team, the Tolland Eagles, to a 27-9 mark in her first two years and a final four appearance at the state tournament.
"The Liberty women's lacrosse team is an amazing program with a great coaching staff and team culture," Tellers stated. "I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this team. I can't wait for the next four years!"
Individually, Tellers displayed her versatility for the Eagles as both a goalkeeper and contributor on the offensive end. In net, she held a .680 save percentage as a sophomore and a .620 save percentage as a freshman. Tellers also tallied 53 goals, 57 assists and 110 points and led her team in draw controls over those two years. She has also competed for Lax Plus Club.
"Mara is an athletic goalie who is very active on the defensive side and loves to push transition. She is an unselfish player who will do anything her team needs to win. In high school, she played every position on the field, but she always knew she wanted to be a collegiate goalie and played goalie for Lax Plus for eight years."
Kate Tellers, Tolland High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach and Mother of Mara
Our sixth signee is Mara Tellers!!! Welcome to the family, Mara!!!#202WON #NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/WwcUEkQtzp
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 11, 2020
Kate Troutman (M – Reading, Pa./Wilson HS)
A two-year all-division honoree and two-year varsity starter, Troutman comes from a successful Wilson High School program in Pennsylvania that went a combined 38-6 in 2018 and 2019, won a county and league title in 2018 and reached the state semifinals in 2018 as well. As a sophomore in 2019, she contributed 45 goals, 15 assists, 60 points, 110 draw controls and 105 ground balls as a midfielder.
"The moment I stepped on campus, I knew that this is where I wanted to be," Troutman said. "The campus and athletic facilities are beautiful, and I loved the team atmosphere. I am so excited to be a Flame!"
As a defender for the Bulldogs in 2018, Troutman started on the varsity squad and tallied 75 ground balls, 10 goals, four assists and 14 points. The Reading, Pa., native says her favorite lacrosse memory to date is winning the county championship in overtime during her freshman season (2018). Troutman also plays for XTreme Lacrosse Club, based out of Lancaster, Pa.
"Kate Troutman is the complete package as a student-athlete. Her persistent effort, champion mentality and natural ability to excel is exactly what makes her a leader in all aspects of life. She is tenacious and unrelenting on the field, yet kindhearted and generous off the field. It has been a joy to watch her grow as a player and an absolute honor to have coached her. I am confident that she will continue to blossom in her success as a student-athlete and will do remarkable things at Liberty University."
Rachel Shappell, Wilson High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach
Our third signee is Kate Troutman!!! Welcome home, Kate!!!#202WON #NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/M6L2Bg99zi
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 11, 2020
Katie Rodriguez (M – Rockford, Mich./Rockford HS)
Rodriguez, a midfielder, will be joining the Lady Flames after playing for a highly decorated Rockford High School program just north of Grand Rapids, Mich. Rodriguez and the Rockford Rams claimed their sixth and seven straight state championships in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, Rodriguez had 33 goals, 24 assists, 57 points and 60 draw controls for a 14-4-3 squad. In 2018, the midfielder totaled 25 goals, 18 assists, 43 points and 15 draw controls for an 18-2 Rams team.
"I couldn't be more excited for my next four years playing lacrosse and continuing my education at Liberty. I found a community that will encourage me as an athlete, student and believer," Rodriguez stated. "God has guided my recruitment process by opening and closing doors of opportunities. His plan all along for me was Liberty. Signing my letter of intent reminds me to be grateful for the blessings in my life now and to be grateful for the blessings I know are coming when I begin that first day of practice at Liberty."
A three-year honor roll student, Rodriguez started every game as a freshman for Rockford. Her most memorable lacrosse moment so far came when she scored the game-winning free-position goal in the fourth overtime against rival East Grand Rapids High School. As a sophomore, Rodriguez was nominated for US Lacrosse Midwest Player of the Month.
Our eighth signee is Katie Rodriguez!!! Welcome to the family, Katie!!!#202WON #NLISigningDay #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/dwhAwYSr8H
— Liberty Lacrosse (@libertywlax) November 11, 2020
