OKLAHOMA CITY – First-year Mid-America Christian University women's basketball head coach Seth Froese has announced the additions of five newcomers to the squad for the fast approaching 2015-16 campaign.
Kelli Tolar:
Tolar is a two-time T-Cal State Champion at Cornerstone Christian HS in San Antonio, TX and averaged 22.5 points per game her senior season. She played two years at Dodge City Community College and scored 18 points per game in her final season while shooting 41.3% from the field and 39.7% from the 3-point line. Tolar also averaged 4.1 Rebounds per game and totaled up 81 assists along with 37 steals. She was a KJCCC Western Division All-Conference honorable-mention performer and left Dodge City CC as the program career leader in threes (141) and in a single season (92). She also scored the fourth most points in DCCC history for her career as well as the fourth most points ever in a single season her final year. Tolar played 25 games at NCAA D-I Illinois State University last season and averaged 1.8 points per game on 21.2% shooting overall from the floor and 25.6% from the 3-point line. She also grabbed 30 total rebounds.
Coach Froese says: "I am very excited that Kelli decided to spend her final year with us. She is a tremendous young lady and brings wonderful qualities to our program on and off the floor. Her leadership and shooting ability will be great assets to our team this season."
Sarai Rodriguez
As a junior, Rodriguez won the sixth man of the year award for Steele HS during their run to the Texas UIL 5A Championship game during the 2012-13 season. A solid student-athlete, she was named academic all-district every year of her HS career. She also played in three games at Southern Arkansas University, seeing limited minutes due to an injury. Rodriguez shot 66.7% from the floor and grabbed 3 rebounds.
Coach Froese says: "Sarai will be fantastic addition to our program. She has had a rough last two seasons with injuries but I am excited to see her healthy and on the floor again. She brings a great competitive drive, a strong work ethic and a defensive mentality. She gives us great versatility with her ability to push the ball, find teammates and stretch defenses."
Jamie Lamb
Lamb competed at Jacksonville College and was the squad's second leading scorer, averaging 8.8 points per game while shooting 49.2% from the floor. She also recorded 5.3 rebounds per game.
As a senior at Pflugerville Connally High, Lamb played for Candi Harvey, former WNBA and NCAA DI head coach and averaged 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds.
Coach Froese says: "Jamie will be a great fit for our program. She brings a great all-around game to our team. She is a super athlete and has the ability to play from multiple spots on the floor. Jamie has been well coached and I am excited for the multiple dimensions that she will bring this season."
Janaya Hines
Hines, a 5'10 guard, was a four-year HS lettermen and three-year starter for Coach Stephani Gray at Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield TX. Hines averaged seven points and five rebounds per game and earned first-team all-district honorable-mention and academic all-district as a senior. She assisted the Lady Eagles in advancing to the 2014 regional quarterfinal playoffs and 2015 semi-regional playoffs. Hines also participated in the USA Women's Basketball Olympic Trials in Colorado Springs in 2013 and 2014.
Coach Froese says: "I am very excited to be able to watch Janaya over the next four years. She has a wonderful inside-outside game which allows her to be a versatile force for us. She was an extremely effective post player in high school but has good guard skills and is very effective from that position as well. It will be fun to watch her game continue to grow and develop."
Brianna Kallead
Kallead was a three year lettermen for O'Connor High School in San Antonio, Texas. She played a pertinent role in making school history by winning an undefeated District Championship (first in 17 years in school history) in a very competitive 27-6A district. Kallead led her team to win Bi-district, Area, Regional Quarterfinals and Regional Semifinals along with a Regional Final appearance. O'Connor made the top eight teams in the state of Texas with a record of 32-5. Kallead was named to the all- district team and was selected to play for the San Antonio All-Stars Team. She averaged 8.5 points her senior season and also played with the Sophia Young Elite Basketball Team.
Coach Froese says: "Our program is extremely excited to welcome Brianna. She has a tremendous work ethic and a big heart. She is vocal, encouraging, a good teammate and always has a great attitude. Her ability to do a little bit of everything will be a welcome presence for us the next four years. I love the fact that she excels at the little things that help teams win."
The five newcomers are joining a program that has achieved consecutive winning seasons for the first time since joining the NAIA in 2007. The Lady Evangels will open the 2015-16 season at the Sterling Classic on Nov. 6 against Tabor College.
