University of New Haven Athletics

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Three-sport college athletes are rare, but Kate Whalen not only competed but excelled in her three athletic ventures at the University of New Haven. She competed four seasons on the softball field, three seasons on the volleyball court and one season on the tennis court.

As a freshman, Whalen wasted no time making an impact on the volleyball and softball teams. She helped lead the UNH volleyball team to the program’s first ever NCAA tournament. On the field, Whalen played in all 34 games, while making 21 appearances on the mound. She boasted a team-best 2.02 earned run average and six wins. Whalen also led the team with 96 assists during her freshman campaign.

During the 1984-85 sports season, Whalen once again helped lead the volleyball team to the NCAA’s and the Elite Eight. She recorded 172 kills, 119 blocks and 233 digs during her sophomore volleyball season. After a run for the NCAA volleyball title, Whalen hit the softball field and recorded another stellar season at second base and on the hill. She posted five saves and five shutout appearances from the mound, while ranking second on the team with 15 RBI’s.

Whalen’s junior season would prove to be one of her most successful on the volleyball court. As the team captain, she led the squad with 249 kills and 224 digs. She was named to the All-Conference First Team and helped lead the Chargers to their second-straight NCAA Elite Eight appearance. Whalen also enjoyed a successful season on the diamond. She played in 38 games, primarily at second base, and batted .252 with 14 RBI’s and 24 runs. She was named to the All-New England Collegiate Conference First Team at second base.

Success followed Whalen during her senior season as she made a transition from the volleyball court to the tennis court. Her fall season concluded as she won the New England Collegiate Conference Singles Championship. Another record-setting softball season ensued as the team captain boasted a career-high .287 batting average and 24 runs. Whalen also earned her second-straight All-New England Collegiate Conference honors as a senior, while also earning All-ECAC honors.

In an era when volleyball statistics were rarely kept, Whalen totaled 421 kills and 457 digs in her final two seasons on the court. Originally from Cheshire, Conn., Whalen was also inducted into the Connecticut Softball Hall of Fame in 2004. Her career softball statistics rank her third all time at UNH with 338 assists.