Campus Overview

Belmont Abbey College is a small, private Catholic liberal arts college located in Belmont, North Carolina, with an intimate student body of approximately 1,500 students. The college offers a close-knit, personalized academic experience rooted in Catholic intellectual tradition.


Location & Setting Situated in a suburban setting just west of Charlotte, the campus provides a peaceful college environment with easy access to urban amenities. Belmont is a small, quiet suburban town with Charlotte's metropolitan resources just a short drive away.

Campus Life As a small college, Belmont Abbey offers a tight-knit community where students know each other and interact closely. Campus housing is primarily on-campus, with a strong emphasis on residential community. Social life centers around campus events, athletic activities, and faith-based programming. The small scale means most students are actively involved in multiple campus activities.

Student Body The student population is predominantly from the Carolinas and surrounding southeastern states, with a mix of local and regional students. The college attracts students interested in a values-driven education with strong Catholic and liberal arts foundations. Students tend to be academically motivated and community-oriented.

Academics Known for strong liberal arts and business programs, Belmont Abbey emphasizes personalized education with small class sizes. The curriculum integrates Catholic intellectual traditions with rigorous academic standards. Notable strengths include business, education, and humanities programs.

Athletics & Sports Competing at the NCAA Division II level, the college has a passionate athletics culture. The Crusaders have strong programs in sports like baseball, basketball, and soccer. Athletic participation is significant for a small college, with many students involved in varsity or intramural sports.

Lifestyle & Weather The Charlotte region experiences mild winters and warm summers, with moderate precipitation. A car is recommended but not absolutely necessary due to the suburban location. Outdoor activities are accessible, with nearby hiking, urban exploration in Charlotte, and recreational opportunities in the Piedmont region.

Field Hockey (2025)

Level
D2 Unranked
Conference
South Atlantic Conference
Coach
Chelsea Herlocker

School

Type
Private (Roman Catholic)
Classification
Baccalaureate: Diverse Fields
Common Majors:
Business (33%)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (83%)
• Accounting and Related Services (16%)
• Finance and Financial Management Services (1%)
Recreation (14%)
Liberal Arts (10%)
Biology (7%)
Psychology (6%)

Student Body

Total
1,555
Undergrad
94%
Demographics
47% women
Student:Faculty
12:1

Programs of Interest

Environmental Science
Psychology (6.4%)
Biology (6.8%)
Sports Med / Kinesiology (13.9%)
French

Academics

Admission Rate
90%
SAT Median
1,065
SAT Range
940-1,190
ACT Median
21
Retention
70%
Graduation
46%

Costs

In-State
$19,500
Out-of-State
$19,500
Room & Board
$12,056
Avg Net Price
$23,613
Net price = average after financial aid

Weather

Winter
Mild
HighLow
January52°32°
April73°49°
July90°70°
October73°50°
Oct/Apr = field hockey season

Location

Setting
Suburban (Suburb: Midsize)
Nearest City
Charlotte, NC
Distance
11 miles

Coaching Staff

Name Position Contact Bio
Chelsea Herlocker Head Coach chelseaherlocker@bac.edu View Bio
Megan Valzonis Assistant Coach View Bio
Tony Venegas Director of Athletics Communications
Valentina Pantani Assistant Athletic Trainer (FH, MLAX)

Roster Breakdown

29 players

Geographic Recruiting

In-State: 3% (1 player)
US Out-of-State: 86% (25 players)
International: 10% (3 players)
New Jersey: 28% (8 players)
Maryland: 21% (6 players)

Position Breakdown

Forward: 9 (31.0%)
Forward/Midfielder: 1 (3.4%)
Midfielder: 12 (41.4%)
Defender: 5 (17.2%)
Goalkeeper: 2 (6.9%)

Class Year Distribution

Freshman: 12 (41.4%)
Sophomore: 4 (13.8%)
Junior: 7 (24.1%)
Senior: 6 (20.7%)

Full Roster (29 players)

# Name Position Year Height Hometown High School
1 Carlynn Venetz F So. 5-5 Riverside, N.J. Burlington County Institute of Technology- Westampton
2 Kelly Dopazo F/M Fr. 5-9 Tinton Falls, N.J. Monmouth Regional
3 Ashley Strauss M Fr. 5-6 St. Louis, Mo. Urusline Academy
4 Cecilia Müller B Sr. 5-0 Santiago, CHILE Dunalastair Las Condes
5 Grace Hines M Sr. 5-6 Stevensville, Md. Kent Island
6 Elizabeth Vaughan B Fr. 5-7 Oceanport, N.J. Shore Regional
7 Katie Cole F Sr. 5-1 Rising Sun, Md. Rising Sun
8 Channing Howarth M Fr. 5-5 Monunment, Colo. Palmer Ridge
9 Isabella Hite F Jr. 5-3 Pittsburgh, Pa. Aquinas Academy
10 Chloe Kiser M So. 5-2 Chesapeake, Va. Catholic HS (Virginia Beach, Va.)
11 Taryn Sabia M Sr. 5-4 Point Pleasant, N.J. Point Pleasant Boro
12 Skyler Sciaretta M So. 5-2 Hackettstown, N.J. Hackettstown
13 Kennedy Gross F Fr. 5-9 St. Leonard, Md. Calvert
14 Emily Harris M Fr. 5-8 Mount Olive, N.J. Mount Olive HS
15 Marie Camastro M Jr. 5-2 Mahopac, N.Y. Mahopac
16 Jillian Cain F Jr. 5-6 Morristown, N.J. Morristown
18 Lilly Seccurro B Fr. 5-3 Rising Sun, Md. Rising Sun
19 Grace Kalina M Fr. 5-0 St. Louis, Mo. Clayton
22 Nicki Jonkers F Fr. 5-6 Valkenswaard, THE NETHERLANDS Sg Were Di
23 Margaret Malcolm M Sr. 5-3 Spotsylvania, Va. The Summit Academy
24 Avery Bourke F Fr. 5-9 Annapolis, Md. St. Mary's
26 Eileen Schwab M Fr. 5-4 Huntington Beach, Calif. Marina
28 Isabel Stankiewicz M So. 5-4 Ashburn, Va. St. Paul VI
33 Hailey Leatherman F Sr. 5-2 Pine Beach, N.J. Toms River South
34 Sophia Coleman F Fr. 5-8 Annapolis, Md. Archbishop Spalding
35 Sarah Schumacher B Jr. 5-8 Cologne, GERMANY Liebfrauenschule Köln
42 Grace Hudson B Jr. 5-8 Dewey Beach, Del. Cape Henlopen
77 Lily Willard GK R-Jr. 5-3 Coatesville, Pa. Coatesville Area Senior
98 Annmarie Mullen GK Jr. 5-2 Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte Catholic