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WORTHINGTON - Minnesota West women’s basketball coach Rosalie Hayenga-Hostikka likes aggressive players who play hard. That’s why she’s excited to have the three new recruits who were introduced to the media Friday morning.
In a group signing ceremony at the college commons area, McKenzie Mix of Arlington, S.D., Russell-Tyler-Ruthton graduate Ashlynn Wabeke and Harris-Lake Park product Nichole Rowe announced their intentions to be Lady Jays for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
“I think we’ve got some kids who love to play and are hard-nosed,” Hayenga-Hostikka said.
As proof, she pointed out that Mix sustained a broken bone in her right hand during her senior year of high school. But she kept on playing, vowing that nothing was going to make her miss her last year of prep ball.
Hayenga-Hostikka said that revelation made her even more determined than ever to get the South Dakotan in a Minnesota West uniform.
Mix lettered for four years in high school and earned honorable mention all-conference honors. She is also a four-year letter winner in volleyball, where she made the all-conference team.
Wabeke is a two-time all-conference basketball player who also won all-conference accolades in softball, where she lettered for six seasons.
Rowe lettered three times in basketball and volleyball and five times in softball. She was a two-time honorable mention candidate in volleyball and second-team all-conference in softball.
Mix, a 5-8 point guard and power forward, was primarily a passer in high school. She was a prolific assist-getter and averaged about eight rebounds a game. She once scored 24 points in a game.
Wabeke, at 5-7, played point guard until her senior year at R-T-R, where she switched to post. She averaged 16 points per game as a senior and pulled down about 200 rebounds.
Rowe, at 5-7, was also a solid high school rebounder but said on Friday that she feels most comfortable in a defensive role.
The Lady Jays posted a 10-15 record in 2015-16 while struggling through injuries that sapped their depth. Hayenga-Hostikka said that getting the three early signees shows that they’re motivated.
“Adding these three to the four that we have back, that’s a good start. Hopefully we can get more,” she said.
