SEWARD, Neb. – Head coach Drew Olson’s Concordia University women’s basketball program has announced an incoming 2016-17 recruiting class of eight student-athletes. Six hail from the state of Nebraska and one apiece call Colorado and Kansas home. The Bulldogs are coming off a 22-10 season in 2015-16 in which they qualified for the national tournament for the fifth-straight season and for the seventh time over the past eight years.
Said Olson, “I am very excited about the incoming 2016-17 class. I think they are very talented with different skillsets. More importantly, they all are great character kids who share our Christian values, work hard, and will be great teammates. All of them have had very successful high school careers with team success and many individual honors. You never know how freshmen will transition to the college game and how quickly they will understand our style of play, but I think a few have the potential to compete for varsity spots their first year. All of them have the potential to develop into quality college basketball players. I always love seeing unique personalities blend into the returners to form our team. I believe it is a great mix that will continue the outstanding culture and dominant tradition of this program.”
Madi Daly | 5-4 | Guard | Mullen HS
Olson’s take: Madi is a hard-nosed kid that out works her opponents. I was blown away by her motor when she came to our camp last summer. She is strong for a guard and can attack the basket. She is a great teammate that will push people every day in practice.
Honors/team success: Named honorable mention all-state by the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald … reeled in second team all-conference and honorable mention all-area honors.
Colby Duvel | 5-9 | Guard/Forward | Platteview HS
Olson’s take: Colby is a very versatile player that can play inside and out. She is a tough kid that will do anything for the team. She is a great rebounder, slasher, finisher with huge upside. Colby was probably overshadowed by her teammate but I believe she was one of the best players in the state. She is a perfect fit for our program and how we want to play.
Honors/team success: First team all-conference all four years … named by the Lincoln Journal Star to Class B all-state team as a senior and honorable mention all-state freshman through junior years … four-time Omaha World-Herald all-state honorable mention honoree … chosen to Nebraska Coaches Association All-Star Game … garnered Nebraska Coaches All-Star Award … NCPA academic all-state …first team all-metro as junior and senior … led Platteview to two district championships and two conference titles and two state championships appearances.
Maggie Goltz | 6-1 | Guard/Forward | Falls City Sacred Heart HS
Olson’s take: Maggie is one of the most dynamic players we are bringing in. She is 6’1 but plays like a point guard with her ball handling and passing skills. She is a great defender for multiple positions because of her length and understanding of the game. I don’t know where she is going to play, but I am excited to see where she fits in.
Honors/team success: Earned Class D2 first team all-state recognition three times and honorable mention all-state once … named honorary captain of the 2015-16 Lincoln Journal Star state all-tournament team … selected to the state all-tournament team in each of final three seasons … collected first team all-conference honors three times and second team all-conference accolades once … named academic all-state three times … led Falls City Sacred Heart to a state title as a junior and three third-place state finishes … tabbed Up and Coming Female Athlete of the Year in basketball and volleyball in 2014 … ended prep career with the Sacred Heart record for most career made free throws … ranks second in school history for career rebounds (716) and third in career points (1,233).
MacKenzie Helman | 5-7 | Guard | Lincoln Pius X HS
Olson’s take: MacKenzie is a crafty point guard with great vision. She is a really good shooter too. I am really excited we were able to add Mac to the class just recently. I am looking forward to seeing her develop in our system.
Honors/team success: Named honorable mention all-state by both the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha-World Herald in both 2015 and 2016 … started at point guard for the 2015 Lincoln Pius X state champion team and for the 2014 state runner-up squad.
Philly Lammers | 5-11 | Post | Millard West HS
Olson’s take: Philly is strong with an incredible work ethic. Her motor is as good as I have ever seen at the high school level. She will be a force once she adds post moves and an outside shooting to her physical game. I can’t wait to see her battle every day and make all of our posts play with that kind of motor.
Honors/team success: Named a USA Today second team all-state choice … earned Class A second team all-state and ‘all class’ third team all-state recognition … garnered first team all-metro accolades … selected to play in the 15th annual Buffalo Wild Wings High School All-Star Game and the Nebraska Coaches Association All-Star Game … placed on the state Class A and all class all-tournament teams … received Omaha Greater Sports Top Scholar-Athlete award … broke Millard West record for field goal percentage (.537) … tabbed academic all-state … averaged 11.9 points and 8.2 rebounds as a senior.
Sara Sauceda | 5-6 | Guard | Lutheran HS (Colo.)
Olson’s take: Sauce is one of the best teammates you can find. She works hard and will do anything for the team. She will definitely add to the team’s personality.
Honors/team success: Helped Lutheran High School to a 2016 state title while playing for head coach Mark Duitsman, a Concordia alum.
Taryn Schuette | 5-11 | Guard | Sabetha HS (Kan.)
Olson’s take: Taryn was another hidden gem that we found from our individual camp last summer. She is a perfect fit for what we are looking for. She is a long guard that can defend with a strong character. I believe Taryn will really thrive and develop the more she gets to play with our team.
Honors/team success: Tabbed honorable mention Class 3A all-state by the Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital Journal twice … chosen to play in NEK all-star game … named Big 7 all-league three times … started at the varsity level for three years.
Riley Sibbel | 5-8 | Guard | O’Neill St. Mary’s HS
Olson’s take: Riley is a tough kid that finds ways to win. She is a great athlete that can defend and get to the basket. She had a very successful high school career in volleyball and basketball. I know she will come in and develop greatly in our system and become a very good player because of her work ethic and character.
Honors/team success: Named second team Class D all-state as both a junior and senior ... selected to the Class D2 state all-tournament first team in 2016 … garnered honorable mention all-state laurels as a freshman … collected first team all-conference recognition twice … tabbed first team all-area as a senior and second team all-area as a junior by the Holt County Independent … led O’Neill St. Mary’s to Class D1 state championship in 2015 and to state runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2016.