Three Mount Mercy Academy senior athletes recently achieved some significant accomplishments. Two volleyball players will further their careers at Division II schools and one soccer player was one of only 100 fall senior athletes to be named a Western New York Scholar Athlete.
Olivia Jarosz (West Seneca) and Kate Ryan (Buffalo) will both play volleyball locally at the NCAA Division II level. Mount Mercy Volleyball Coach Brittany Sanscrainte is proud of her players. “I am so proud of both of them for being able to continue their volleyball careers at Division II schools. Olivia and Kate both have a natural ability to understand and execute all of the aspects of the game,” Sanscrainte commented.
Jarosz will play for D’Youville College. She has played volleyball for four years at the high school level and participated in club volleyball as well. “Olivia can play all around the court. She is able to hit, as well as make amazing defensive plays in the back row. She has the talent to make a play on any ball,” Sanscrainte remarked.
Ryan, a four-year member of the varsity volleyball team, will attend Division II Daemen College. She earned a partial scholarship to compete for the Wildcats. Ryan, a two-time Second Team All-Catholic, is also a two-time MVP of the team. Due to Covid-19, the volleyball season has been postponed until March. Last season Ryan amassed 102 kills, 11 solo blocks and 37 aces while collecting 73 digs. Sanscrainte said, “Since Kate is left handed, it makes her right-side attacks and kills an asset to any team. Kate also has an arsenal of serves that are tough for opponents to receive.”
Gianna Lauciello (Orchard Park), a four-year starter on the soccer team, was one of the top 100 Scholar Athletes. She was selected from all of the male and female senior athletes across Western New York, from both public and private schools. To be nominated, the athlete must have achieved a 90-plus average for the previous six semesters and been a starter or significant player in their fall sport. Lauciello, a two-time First Team All-Catholic in soccer, is also a top student and a member of National Honor Society. She scored 13 goals and had 27 assists during her career.
Mount Mercy Soccer Coach Brittany Myers had high praise for Lauciello. “She is an unselfish team player and is usually the one to set up our goals. Gianna has so much talent and plays with such heart. It is a combination which is lethal to our opponents,” Myers stated.
