Graziano, Hertsch Drafted into Women’s Professional Lacrosse League
Aug 24 | Women's Lacrosse
Scarlet Knight assistant coaches to compete in WPLL in 2018
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's lacrosse assistant coaches Nicole Graziano and Katie Hertsch were selected in the inaugural Women's Professional Lacrosse League draft Wednesday night. Graziano will compete for the New York Fight, while Hertsch will suit up for the New England Command.
"It is such an exciting time in women's lacrosse and what an honor for Katie and Nicole to be recognized in the draft as some of the top players in our game today," said head coach Laura Brand Sias. "We will be their No. 1 fans!"
The WPLL, which officially begins play in 2018, serves as both a professional lacrosse league and a development program for the rising talent in the sport. The WPLL will host a kickoff weekend on Saturday, Sept. 30 in Sparks, Maryland, with select players from each of the leagues' five teams set to compete in an exhibition.
Click here for a full list of players selected.
Graziano, an assistant with the program since 2016, was a 2016 Tewaaraton Award finalist and Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-American during her career at Florida. Graziano was among the top players in the BIG EAST during her five-year career, earning two all-conference honors and the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year Award as a senior.
Graziano, an IWLCA All-South First Team selection, tallied at least 21 points in all four seasons played at Florida, saving her best performance for last in 2016 with 44 goals and 17 assists (61 points), 31 ground balls, 22 caused turnovers, and 45 draw controls. Her all-around dominance earned her one of five invitations as a finalist at the 16th-Annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony.
Hertsch, a member of the United States National Team from 2010-15 and a United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX) All-Star, enters her fifth season as an assistant on the Scarlet Knight staff. Hertsch played in all nine games for the Philadelphia Force during the 2016 UWLX season and was named an UWLX All-Star.
Hertsch also played with Team USA by making the 38-player 2014-15 U.S. Women's National Team roster. Hertsch was a member of the U.S. National Team beginning in 2010 and helped lead the country to a gold medal in the FIL World Cup in Oshawa, Canada in 2013.
Hertsch competed collegiately at Hofstra, where she was one of the top defenders in program history. Hertsch collected 138 ground balls, 70 caused turnovers and 110 draw controls for the Pride, with those totals ranking in the top-10 all-time of each respective category. A two-time All-Mid-Atlantic Region team selection, Hertsch also garnered All-Colonial Athletic Association accolades as a junior and senior and was twice named to the IWLCA Academic Squad.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's lacrosse, follow the program Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram @RULaxBrand. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
"It is such an exciting time in women's lacrosse and what an honor for Katie and Nicole to be recognized in the draft as some of the top players in our game today," said head coach Laura Brand Sias. "We will be their No. 1 fans!"
The WPLL, which officially begins play in 2018, serves as both a professional lacrosse league and a development program for the rising talent in the sport. The WPLL will host a kickoff weekend on Saturday, Sept. 30 in Sparks, Maryland, with select players from each of the leagues' five teams set to compete in an exhibition.
Click here for a full list of players selected.
Graziano, an assistant with the program since 2016, was a 2016 Tewaaraton Award finalist and Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-American during her career at Florida. Graziano was among the top players in the BIG EAST during her five-year career, earning two all-conference honors and the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year Award as a senior.
Graziano, an IWLCA All-South First Team selection, tallied at least 21 points in all four seasons played at Florida, saving her best performance for last in 2016 with 44 goals and 17 assists (61 points), 31 ground balls, 22 caused turnovers, and 45 draw controls. Her all-around dominance earned her one of five invitations as a finalist at the 16th-Annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony.
Hertsch, a member of the United States National Team from 2010-15 and a United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX) All-Star, enters her fifth season as an assistant on the Scarlet Knight staff. Hertsch played in all nine games for the Philadelphia Force during the 2016 UWLX season and was named an UWLX All-Star.
Hertsch also played with Team USA by making the 38-player 2014-15 U.S. Women's National Team roster. Hertsch was a member of the U.S. National Team beginning in 2010 and helped lead the country to a gold medal in the FIL World Cup in Oshawa, Canada in 2013.
Hertsch competed collegiately at Hofstra, where she was one of the top defenders in program history. Hertsch collected 138 ground balls, 70 caused turnovers and 110 draw controls for the Pride, with those totals ranking in the top-10 all-time of each respective category. A two-time All-Mid-Atlantic Region team selection, Hertsch also garnered All-Colonial Athletic Association accolades as a junior and senior and was twice named to the IWLCA Academic Squad.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's lacrosse, follow the program Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram @RULaxBrand. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
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