NEWARK, DE -- University of Delaware volleyball head coach Bonnie Kenny announced the signing of three standout high school student-athletes who will attend Delaware in the fall of 2008.

Helen Fitzpatrick, Janeen McCormick, and Kim Stewart will make up the Blue Hens’ 2008 recruiting class.

“We are really happy to announce the signing of Helen Fitzpatrick, Janeen McCormick and Kim Stewart,” said head coach Bonnie Kenny. “This incoming class is full of talent and adds depth to our team in all positions. I have every confidence that they will help us continue to build our program.”

Fitzpatrick, a 6-0 setter from Springfield, PA, is currently a senior at Merion Mercy Academy. She was honored as her high school’s Most Valuable Player and helped lead the team to a State Championship in the Class AA Tournament this season.

Named to the Pennsylvania Class AA All-State Team, she was also a 2006 first team All-Bicentennial League selection as well as a first team All-District 1 and All-Area honoree. A member of the Synergy club team, she is planning on majoring in exercise science at Delaware.

“Helen comes to Delaware having played for a very successful high school and club program,” said Kenny. “She is the tallest setter we have had and that is going to be a tremendous advantage for us as she continues to develop physically. We are really looking forward to getting Helen in our gym.”

McCormick, a 6-2 middle hitter from Wellington, FL, is a senior at Spanish River High School. A captain on the varsity volleyball team, she helped lead them to an 18-9 record and the District Championship this season. Last year, she led them to a 25-6 mark as well as a District and Regional Championship along with a Final-Four finish in the 6A State Tournament.

A standout student who carries a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies, she also earned her team’s Most Improved Varsity Volleyball Player award last season and was selected to the Palm Beach Post’s preseason Super Six Volleyball team this year. A member of the Florida Gold Coast club team, she plans to major in exercise science and nutrition at Delaware.

“Janeen is a hard working student athlete,” said Kenny. “She will give us a bigger presence at the net in the middle or on the right side. I believe Janeen will be able to play all the way around for us in time. I am looking forward to helping her become a complete player.”

Stewart, a 5-9 outside hitter from Kentwood, MI, is a senior at East Kentwood High School. An honor roll student and Academic All-State selection, she has been a member of the varsity volleyball team for four seasons, leading them to a conference championship and a 57-3 record this year.

Selected as a 2007 Miss Michigan Volleyball Nominee, she also earned Honorable Mention All-State accolades for track last year as she helped her team win the state championship while serving as a leg on the school’s 400-meter relay team that finished second at the state meet. A member of the Far Out volleyball club team, she plans to major in Graphic Design and Photography at Delaware.

“Kim is a feisty, dynamic outside hitter that can terminate, pass and play defense,” said coach Kenny. “She will be a nice addition to our program and we expect her to make an impact for us as soon as she gets to campus.”

Fitzpatrick, McCormick, and Stewart will join a Delaware program that is coming off of its most successful regular season in team history. The Blue Hens went 28-4, including 12- 2 in the CAA, to capture their first regular season conference championship in 12 years.