Clark, Edelman, Orischak highlight Hilton Head's early signings
The best may be yet to come this week for Hilton Head Island volleyball standout Hannah Edelman, but Thursday provided a nice prologue.
Two days before leading the Seahawks into a second straight Class 3-A state final, Edelman cast her college future with the University of South Carolina when she joined seven other Hilton Head Island athletes in signing national letters of intent.
"This is something I've definitely looked forward to my whole entire life," said Edelman, who will play beach volleyball for the Gamecocks. "Since I was 7 years old, I've always wanted to be a Division I athlete. ... Though I wouldn't trade it for anything, I'm so excited to have the opportunity to take the state (title) with all these girls."
The Seahawks will travel Saturday to Columbia, where they'll face Eastside for the crown.
Thursday's ceremony also featured pitching ace Mat Clark (Clemson) and golfer Andrew Orischak, who signed with the University of Virginia under a plan to graduate a year early.
Orischak, who lost the U.S. Junior Amateur final in extra holes, figures to join another USGA runner-up on next year's Cavaliers squad. Derek Bard reached the U.S. Amateur final, earning a Masters berth in the process.
"The coaches at Virginia kind of threw out the idea of me going a year early," he said. "They have a real solid team next year, so it made a lot of sense to me."
ANDREW ORISCHAK
Hilton Head Island, golf
College: Virginia
Noteworthy: Graduating a year early to join a Cavaliers squad currently ranked 24th in the nation. Runner-up at August's U.S. Junior Amateur at Colleton River Plantation, going to extra holes in the final before falling to Philip Barbaree. Four other starts in AJGA sanctioned competition yielded top-16 finishes.
Quote: "We'll have a really good team (at Virginia) next year, and it all lined up pretty perfectly for me."
HANNAH EDELMAN
Hilton Head Island, volleyball
College: South Carolina
Noteworthy: A driving force behind the Seahawks' return to this weekend's Class 3-A title game, Edelman signed to play beach volleyball for the Gamecocks. Last year's IPBG Player of the Year for her all-around play, she has blasted her way through the playoffs with 46 kills in the Lower State semifinals and finals.
Quote: "If the (3-A final) was today at 12 o'clock, I'd be there instead of signing. I can sign any other time, but I love my team."
MAT CLARK
Hilton Head Island, baseball
College: Clemson
Noteworthy: A three-time all-state selection on the mound, the lefty has an 18-5 career record and 0.68 earned-run average. Posted a 0.79 ERA last spring, with 102 strikeouts and just five walks. Switched commitment from College of Charleston when coach Monte Lee moved to Clemson.
Quote: "Once (Lee) made the decision to take the job at Clemson, he offered a spot to me. He's an excellent coach. Winning has followed him everywhere he's gone."
TATE STEINOUR
Hilton Head Island, tennis
College: James Madison
Noteworthy: Currently No. 19 in the USTA Boys 18 state rankings, Steinour helped propel the Seahawks to the state crown as a sophomore. He'll now return to Virginia, where he also was part of a state championship before relocating to the Lowcountry.
Quote: "I have a friend from my previous high school who went (to JMU), so he helped recruit me. Then after visiting the school, I fell in love with it."
SARAH REAMY
Hilton Head Island, swimming
College: Queens (N.C.)
Noteworthy: A mainstay who has been part of five Class 3-A titles with the Seahawks, Reamy moves on to join Division II's top-ranked program. Part of two event titles in last month's 3-A state meet, winning the 500 freestyle and part of the 4x100 freestyle relay champs.
Quote: "The team is an amazing team. They're the NCAA national champions for Division II, and they're also really close-knit. It's really a family atmosphere."
ELLIOTT GAYKEN
Hilton Head Island, swimming
College: Gardner-Webb
Noteworthy: Owns school records in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke, plus three more as part of relays. Qualified for this summer's USA Swimming Junior Nationals, where he posted one of the top 50 times in the 100 breaststroke.
Quote: "It was one of my top three choices, then I went on a recruiting trip there and realized this is the school I want to go to. The team is just like a giant family."
RYAN NADDY
Hilton Head Island, swimming
College: Providence
Noteworthy: Held the Seahawks' record in 100 breaststroke until Gayken recently broke it. Still part of record relay quartets in the 4x50 medley, 4x50 freestyle and 4x100 freestyle. Twice a selection to the IP/BG All-Area boys' swim team.
Quote: "I asked myself if I wasn't going to be swimming in college, would I still be happy at that school. Providence has a lot going on there."
MEREDITH WIPPER
Hilton Head Island, golf
College: Findlay
Noteworthy: Not long after taking fourth at the Class 3-A girls championship, Wipper switched commitment to Ohio school that has reached the Division II championships each of the past two years.
Quote: "They have a really good program, one of the top in Division II for women's golf. It's the place I felt I could be the most successful."
This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 9:29 PM with the headline "Clark, Edelman, Orischak highlight Hilton Head's early signings."