MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team will welcome nine newcomers to the program this fall. The incoming class includes seven freshmen and two transfers.
"I am very excited about this year's recruiting class," head women's basketball coach Tim Grove said. "We have quality incoming student-athletes at all positions, which should provide us with much-needed depth. I look forward to seeing the competitiveness of our practices, and how that translates for us on the court. This year's group will be a lot of fun to coach."
2019-20 Women's Basketball Newcomers
Kianna Big Crow | Guard | 5-8 | Freshman | Pine Ridge, S.D. / Red Cloud
High School: Attended Red Cloud Indian School...Gold honor roll, top 5 in graduating class, National Honors Society, Academic all-state.
Personal: Hometown is Pine Ridge, South Dakota...Born on June 16th, 2001...Parent is Kara Big Crow and my grandparents are my other parents, Raymond & Mary Sue Big Crow...Siblings are Koby Morrisette, Moriah Morrisette, Kevin Walking Eagle, Tegan Big Crow, and Krystyne Walking Eagle...Majoring in economics and Native American & Indigenous studies.
Why I Chose Morris: "I chose Morris because studies have shown that Minnesota has the happiest people! It's also affordable, not too far from home and not too close."
Maddie Fenske | Forward | 6-0 | Junior | Cottonwood, Minn. / Cottonwood (Valley City State)
High School: Attended Lakeview...Three-time All Camden Conference Basketball Player, 1,000 point scorer, Three-time top rebounder for Lakeview, Marshall Independent Girls Basketball All Area Team. School record holder in the 800 M run. Graduated from Lakeview with high honors for GPA.
Personal: Hometown is Cottonwood, Minnesota...Born on January 20, 1999...Parents are Chris and Christine Fenske...Siblings are Nick, and Nathan...Majoring in human services.
Why I Chose Morris: "I chose Morris because I enjoyed the family style feel to the campus and community. It also provided me an opportunity to continue my athletic career and get a great education."
Cassie Kadrlik | Guard | 5-5 | Freshman | Montgomery, Minn. / Tri-City United
High School: Attended Tri-City United...Letter in Academics, National Honors Society, Track, Cross Country, Basketball, FFA, Art Team. Received all-conference honorable mention in basketball.
Personal: Hometown is Montgomery, Minnesota...Born on August 11, 2000...Parents are Ted and Tami Kadrlik...Siblings are Erika, and Tyler...Majoring in biology.
Why I Chose Morris: "I chose Morris because the education program presented by the school along with being able to participate in the women's basketball team."
Hajaysen Kwateh | Forward | 5-9 | Freshman | Maple Grove, Minn. / Osseo
High School: Attended Osseo...CCX's star student, three-year varsity athlete in soccer, basketball, and track.
Personal: Hometown is Maple Grove, Minnesota...Born on February 25, 2001...Parent is Princess Kparkah...Sibling are Rumosu Kwateh, Leroy Kwateh, and Jacob Kwateh.
Why I Chose Morris: "I chose Morris because of the hometown small feeling."
Maddie Smart | Guard | 5-7 | Freshman | Ada, Minn. / Ada-Borup
High School: Attended Ada-Borup...Two-time Pine-to-Prairie all-conference, Team co-captain, played in the Class A State Basketball tournament in 2017, 2018, & 2019; two-year varsity starter.
Personal: Hometown is Ada, Minnesota...Born on August 19, 2000...Parents are Eric and Sarah...Siblings are Meredith, and Morgan...Majoring in human services.
Why I Chose Morris: "I chose Morris because of the small campus size and the great opportunities they offer, academically and athletically."
Jadyn Sondrol | Guard | 5-8 | Freshman | Grand Forks, N.D. / Red River
High School: Attended Red River...Honor Student, National Honor Society member, 12 star athlete, Junior Female Athlete of the Year, Senior Female Athlete of the Year, All-City basketball team, junior and senior year, Most Outstanding season in Basketball 2019, All-EDC team, Lions' All-Star team.
Personal: Hometown is Grand Forks, North Dakota...Born on October 13, 2000...Parents are Rick and Lori Sondrol...Sibling is Jasmine...Currently undecided on a major.
Why I Chose Morris: "I chose Morris because it offers a variety of different classes in which I am interested in. It is both close enough and far enough away from my hometown. I get to continue playing the sport I love."
Ella Van Kempen | Forward | 5-11 | Freshman | Elbow Lake, Minn. / West Central Area
High School: Attended West Central Area...Student Council President, All-State Academic, Carlin Berg Music Award, 15 All-Conference Honors in cross country, basketball, and track.
Personal: Hometown is Elbow Lake, Minnesota...Born on August 16, 2000...Parents are John and Chris Van Kempen...Siblings are Holly, Abby, and Jack...Currently undecided on a major.
Why I Chose Morris: "I chose Morris because of its close-knit community feel. When you're in a small town, everyone there is rooting for you to succeed and help out in any way. Morris is also a short 30-minute drive to my pet golden retriever and goldendoodle at home."
Mia Wassink | Forward | 6-0 | Senior | Edgerton, Minn. / Edgerton (Gustavus)
High School: Attended Edgerton...2016 Female Athlete of the Year, 2016 All-Area team, National Scholar Athlete recipient, varsity volleyball, basketball, and track.
Personal: Hometown is Edgerton Minnesota...Born on January 26, 1998...Parents are Scott and Nancy...Siblings are Halle, Reece, and Jacob...Majoring in communication studies.
Why I Chose Morris: "I chose Morris because I loved the friendly atmosphere and found it to be the perfect place to finish my college basketball career, as well as pursue my communications degree from a quality institution."
Haley Wollschlager | Guard | 5-3 | Freshman | Madison, Minn. / Lac Qui Parle Valley
High School: Attended Lac qui Parle Valley...4x All-Conference, All-Area, Conference MVP.
Personal: Hometown is Madison, Minnesota...Born on October 19, 2000...Parents are Maurice Wollschlager & Erin Loy...Siblings are Alyssa, Colby, and Caden...Majoring in human services.
Why I Chose Morris: "I chose Morris because I get to continue my athletic career in two sports while also getting a great education. I also loved the atmosphere while I was on campus, and the size of the school was perfect."
