Sept. 11, 2009

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist water polo team will have seven new faces for the 2010 season. Kristen Zepeda, who signed in the fall of 2008, is joined by Mackenzie Maynes, Robyn Crabtree, Heather Fellmeth, Shelby Rinker, Michelle Margolin, and Janell Robles. The seven freshmen come from four different states and each had successful high school careers, winning multiple state titles.

Mackenzie Maynes - 5-1 Driver/Renton, Wash./Liberty High School/Pacific Northwest United Club

Maynes was named the 2009 Washington State Most Valuable Player after leading Liberty High School to the 2009 Washington State Championship. She will study fashion design at Marist.

Jacobs on Maynes: "I had the privilege of coaching Mackenzie in her club years before coming to Marist. She is a tremendous competitor and has a great understanding of the game. Mackenzie is a crafty driver with both national and international playing experience, and I believe she'll be a contributor to the program right now."

Robyn Crabtree - 5-10 Defender-Utility/Miami, Fla./Ransom Everglades High School/Raider Water Polo

Crabtree led her high school to the 2009 Florida State Championship, totaling 60 goals and 60 steals in the season. She was her team's Best Defensive Player as a sophomore and was honored with her school's sportsmanship award in 2007 and 2008. Crabtree is undecided on her major but has a strong academic record.

Jacobs on Crabtree: "Robyn has a strong will to improve and succeed at the collegiate level. We'll utilize her speed, size, strength, and work ethic and look forward to expanding our defensive structure with Robyn."

Heather Fellmeth - 5-7 2m Offense/Landsdale, Pa./North Penn High School/K&M Water Polo

Fellmeth helped North Penn win the Pennsylvania State Championship in 2006 and 2008. During the 2008 season, she tallied 75 points, 37 steals, and drew 66 ejections.

Jacobs on Fellmeth: "I saw Heather play at the Beast of the East tournament last fall and was impressed with her skill inside at 2m. She was a fighter, controlling her space well with good ball handling skills. We'll use her skill set inside as well as her speed to add another dimension to our team game."

Rinker was a teammate of Fellmeth's at North Penn High School. She was a multi-sport athlete, competing in soccer, lacrosse, and on the swim team.

Jacobs on Rinker: "Shelby offers depth in her speed and experience on the perimeter as well as defense inside. She is a sports enthusiast with a strong competitive drive. Shelby was a varsity starter and has the desire to excel in collegiate athletics. She looks to bring great enthusiasm to the roster."

Michelle Margolin - 5-5 2m Defender/Beverly Hills, Calif./Beverly Hills High School/L.A. Water Polo Club

Margolin led Beverly Hills High School to the 2007 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) girls' water polo team of the year. In 2008, she had 89 points, 74 steals, and drew 50 ejections. Margolin is interested in studying biochemistry.

Jacobs on Margolin: "Michelle is very motivated to do well at Marist and is very passionate about playing water polo at the top level. I believe she'll grow very fast into the college game and develop into a great athlete and contributor to this program."

Janell Robles - 5-4 Driver/Whittier, Calif./Whittier High School/Commerce Water Polo

Robles won two CIF championships at Whittier High School in 2007 and 2009. She will be beginning her studies at Marist in the pre-law program with hopes of pursuing a career as a lawyer. Robles played water polo for Commerce Water Polo for three years and is used to competing at a high level.

Jacobs on Robles: "Janell is a very spirited athlete that comes from a great club program. She has been coached in strong team and game fundamentals that we look forward to complimenting the program. Janell seems incredibly motivated to excel at the collegiate level."

Marist became the first team to win back-to-back MAAC Water Polo League titles in 2009, finishing the season 19-15. The Red Foxes also won their first NCAA Tournament game last season, defeating Cal Lutheran 16-11.