Two Wildcats sign letters of intent to play NCAA D-1 sports

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Two Wildcats sign letters of intent to play NCAA D-1 sports

November 24, 2021

On Wednesday, November 24, Wildcats Samantha Killin and Grace Hennessy signed letters of intent to play for NCAA Division I schools.  

Samantha Killin, in her sixth year of scholastic tennis competition, signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Rider University, of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, to compete as a tennis player. Rider University competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) of the NCAA Division I.

Samantha is a four-year Tennis MVP for the Warwick Wildcats, and has served as a team captain for three years. She has logged six seasons as a high school tennis player, having started her varsity career in seventh grade. She is the 2019 Section IX Doubles Champion, and placed twentieth at the NYSPHSAA Championships. Samantha finished 10 – 4 this season as #1 singles player. She has played first singles since her freshman year.

Samantha was recruited by Tom Battaglia, Head Women’s Tennis Coach at Rider University. In the MAAC, Rider competes against Marist, Sienna, Quinnipiac, Fairfield, and Niagara University. Samantha plans to study Exercise Science.

“Thanks to all of my family and my friends who have supported me,” said Samantha. “This is a dream come true.”

Off the court, Samantha is ranked in the top 20% of her class, with a weighted GPA of 95.25. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has earned NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete status for six consecutive years. Samantha’s parents are Caprice and David Killin, of Warwick, and her sister Hayley Killin (’19) attends the College of Charleston. 

Grace Hennessy is a varsity softball standout for the Wildcats. She signed her National Letter of Intent to attend the University of North Carolina Wilmington, of Wilmington, North Carolina, and play softball. UNC Wilmington competes in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) of the NCAA Division I.   

Grace will be a four-year starter at short stop for the Warwick Wildcats following the upcoming season. She has a career batting average of .458, a .937 fielding percentage, and 55 runs scored. She is a Will to Win softball award winner. Grace has also been a three-year volleyball standout.

Grace was recruited by Kristy Norton, Head Softball Coach for the UNC Wilmington Seahawks. In the CAA, UNC Wilmington competes against Drexel, Delaware, James Madison, and Towson. Samantha will enter her fall semester as a Math Education major.

“This is something that I have wanted for a long time,” said Grace. “Thank you to the coaches, my family and friends who helped me get to where I am today.”

Off the field, Grace ranks in the top 30% of her class, with a weighted GPA of 92.2. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and has earned NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete status for four consecutive years. 

Grace’s parents are Kelly and Michael Hennessy, of Warwick, New York. Her sister, Hannah, is a sophomore at UNC rival school James Madison University, where she attends on a softball scholarship. Grace’s brother Michael is a standout freshman football player for the Wildcats.

Congratulations, Samantha and Grace!      

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