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

Meghan Bonk (top right), Sarah Kahrs (middle left), and Cindy Murphy (bottom right) will join the Blue Hen volleyball program for the start of the 2008 season. Together, the three will join Helen Fitzpatrick, Janeen McCormick, and Kim Stewart to make up the team’s 2008 recruiting class. The latter three committed to the program during the early signing period in November.

Bonk, a 6-1 outside hitter from Hockessin, DE, is currently a senior at Ursuline Academy. In 2007, she was named the Delaware Gatorade and Delaware Coaches Association Player of the Year. She also earned first-team All-State honors as a senior and was a first-team All-Catholic Conference selection the last two years.

A senior captain last season, Bonk led Ursuline to three state championships during her standout career, capturing the title in 2004, 2005, and 2007. A member of the team for the past five seasons and a starter for the last four, she led the team to a 79-5 record during her tenure.

A star performer on the Stew’s Crew club team, she plans to major in exercise science at Delaware.

“Meghan is a very long, tall athletic player,” said Kenny. “She has a very high ceiling developmentally, and with her passion and extraordinary work ethic, I believe she can be an exceptional player. We are also pleased to keep good talent close to home – Meghan is the 2007 Delaware Player of the Year.”

Kahrs, a 5-9 outside hitter and defensive specialist from Kings Park, NY, is a senior at Kings Park High School. Named the team’s most valuable player during her last two seasons, she also was a two-time All-League selection and earned a place on the All-Conference team in 2007.

An All-Tournament selection, she led Kings Park to the state playoffs twice during her four-year career. She also played on the Long Island United club team during the off-season.

An exceptional student as well, she is a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society. She intends to major in secondary education with an emphasis on mathematics at Delaware.

“Sarah is a very competitive and hard-working athlete,” said Kenny. “She brings a tremendous amount of energy with her and is the type of player that is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. She is a terrific addition to our '08 class and program!”

Murphy, a 5-11 right-side from Round Hill, VA, is a senior at Loudon Valley High School. During her standout career, she was a first-team All-District and second-team All-Region selection for her performance on the court.

Last season, she was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Player while leading Loudon Valley to a runner-up finish at districts and a berth in the regional tournament. A star in her own right, she is also the sister of former Blue Hen standout and All-Conference selection Val Murphy, who played at Delaware from 2001-04.

A member of the Virginia Elite club team, she plans to major in elementary education at Delaware.

“Cindy is an excellent addition to our program. She is a raw, left-handed athlete with a tenacious temperament. She is a tough competitor with the desire to take her game to the next level. Once she adjusts to training at this level, she is going to develop very quickly.”

Along with the three other freshmen, Bonk, Kahrs, and Murphy will join a Delaware program that is coming off its most successful season in program history. During the 2007 campaign, the Hens went 31-5, captured the Colonial Athletic Association championship, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.