Photos: Top Row - Holly Dodge (l), Lindsey Morris (r); Middle Row - Alex Smart (l), Sarah Rosenberg (r), Alex Smart; Bottom Row - Courtney Welch.

NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware women’s rowing head coach Laura Slice as announced the signing of five high school recruits who will attend UD this fall and compete for the Blue Hens during the 2009-10 season.

The five incoming student-athletes are Holly Dodge of Wilton, N.Y., Lindsey Morris of Savannah, Ga., Sarah Rosenberg of Berlin, N.J., Alex Smart of Arlington, Ohio, and Courtney Welch of Red Bank, N.J.

Those five join Alyssa Hoffman (Rumson, N.J.) and Shelby Johantgen (Berwyn, Pa.) who signed during the early signing period in January.

“The seven women who have signed with Delaware for next year have all had very successful high school rowing careers,” said Slice, who will enter her seventh season as head coach at Delaware this fall. “I look forward to the contributions these women will bring to our team in 2009-2010.”

Dodge, a 5-foot, 8-inch graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, also competed for the Saratoga Rowing Association for four years. She earned three New York State Scholastic Championship titles during her career and placed third in 2008 and seventh in 2009 at the Scholastic Nationals.

Morris, a 5-10 graduate of Savannah Country Day School, was elected female rower of the year in 2008 for her high school program. She also participated in 2009 Southeast Youth Rowing Championships.

Rosenberg, a 5-9 graduate of Eastern Regional High School, also rowed four years for South Jersey Rowing Club. She placed third at the 2008 Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regionals, earning a invitation to the USRowing Youth National Championships. She also participated in the 2009 Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regionals and earned the highest spot for a Mid-Atlantic team in the Junior 8+ event.

Smart, a 5-7 graduate of Upper Arlington High School, served as team captain each of the last two seasons and was the 2008 Scholastic Midwest champion in the Junior 8+. She competed in the Varsity 4 SRAA Nationals in both 2008 and 2009 and placed fifth at the Head of the Charles in the Youth 4+ and placed 11th in the Youth 4+ at the 2009 USRowing Youth Nationals.

Welch, a 5-9 graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School, rowed two years for Navesink River Rowing Club. She participated in the 2009 Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regionals in the 2x. She was active on her high schools lacrosse and soccer teams as well as being a member of numerous clubs and organizations.