OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women’s basketball team has announced its signings for the upcoming 2009-2010 season. OU signed two local products Kristen Hendrickson (Ottawa, Kan./Ottawa High) and Lauren Buckles (Gardner, Kan./Gardner High), a transfer KiAngela (KiKi) Smith (Florissant, Mo./Park University) and two all-state products from Colorado, Stacy Post (Wray, Colo./Wray High) and Jamee Leichtle (Denver, Colo./John F. Kennedy).
Hendrickson, a 5’6” outside hitter and guard, earned four letters in volleyball and basketball for the Cyclones. She participated in the Mo-Kan Volleyball All-Star game in November of 2008. Hendrickson was a first team all-league selection in volleyball in 2009, was a three-time all-area selection and was selected to the Lawrence Journal World All-Area team in 2009. On the basketball court, Hendrickson was a two-time all-area selection, earned a spot on the all-tournament team at the Goodland Tournament and was an all-league honorable mention selection. She is the former high school teammate of current Lady Brave Carrie Black.
“I’m excited Kristen has decided to continue her volleyball and basketball careers at OU. She has been able to be around our returners the past month and is becoming more comfortable with her new teammates each week,” said OU head coach Bruce Tate. “Kristen is a quiet but very competitive player. She’s a solid ball player, with a team first attitude that will play on both ends of the floor. She is an unselfish player and will only take shoots within her game. Her ability to score from the perimeter and get to the basket will be an asset to our system. Kristen is a winner on and off the court. She has represented the Ottawa community well during her high school career and I expect her to do the same for OU.”
Hendrickson is the daughter of Randy and Sandy Hendrickson and plans to concentrate on her general studies before deciding on a major.
Buckles, a 5’6” guard, earned two letters in basketball and track for the Trailblazers. She will compete in the javelin for the Lady Braves in the spring.
“I’m thrilled Lauren is a Lady Brave. She was high on my list since last summer watching her play in our high school summer league. Lauren has tremendous up-side with her game. She is a hard nose kid, who rarely takes a possession off on either end of the floor,” said Tate. “Her jump shot and release is college ready and her ability to knock down the three ball is huge for what we want to do. Lauren is a great Christian young lady, with tons of character. She is an outstanding fit for our program and Track and Field team. I expect her to do great things in all aspects of her college experience.”
Buckles is the daughter of Mark and Julie Sutton and plans to major in elementary education.
Smith, a 5’6” guard, earned one letter for the Pirates of Park University. She appeared in 20 games as a freshman, starting nine. Smith averaged two points and 1.8 assists per game. She shot 30 percent from the floor and 40 percent from behind the three point line. At Jennings High School she earned two letters in basketball, two in soccer and one in softball for the Warriors
“I’m pleased that KiKi has decided to join our program. I lost her to Park University coming out of high school, but was fortunate enough to get when she decided to transfer. KiKi has a very high basketball IQ. Her ability to be a floor general, handle the basketball and make plays for everyone around her will be a huge asset for our team,” said Tate. “She gained much experience starting the second half of the season for Park as a freshman. KiKi will make immediate impact to our team and be a joy to coach the next three years. She has a fun-loving personality and will be a great addition to our program and campus community.”
Smith is the daughter of Odelia Howard and plans to major in exercise science.
Post, a 5’8” forward, earned four letters in basketball, volleyball and track for the Eagles. She led Wray to back-to-back state championships (2007-08, 2008-09) and a state runner-up in 2006-07 on her way to scoring 1,245 career points. As a senior she participated in the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports All-Star game in both basketball and volleyball and was part of the “Show” All-Star game held at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Post was a three time all-conference selection in basketball and earned first team 2A All-State as a senior.
“Stacy is an exceptional addition to Lady Braves basketball program. She had a tremendous career at Wary. Stacy is a winner. She has two state championships, earning MVP honors of the state tourney her senior year, with her only lost coming to now current teammate Kristen Hendrickson and the OHS Cyclones,” said Tate. “Stacy is a very versatile player with her ability to play inside and out will be a huge benefit for our team. She has a motor that will continue to run and is able to control the paint with scoring and rebounding. Stacy will make an immediate impact to our team and in our conference. I’m excited that she decided to attend OU; her team first attitude and character will be nice to have on our campus.”
Post is the daughter of Dan and Linda Post and plans to major in sports and recreation management.
Leichtle, a 5’4” guard, earned four letters in basketball, two in track and one in softball for the Commanders. She was a four time first team all-league selection and earned honorable mention all-4A as a senior on the basketball court. Leichtle was the second leading scorer in 4A and was seventh in the state of Colorado as a senior, averaging 21.5 points per game. She was selected to play in the Colorado Coaches of Girls’Sports (CCGS) All-State Games and played in the Colorado High School Activities Assocation (CHSCA) 53rd Annual All-State Game.
“I’m ecstatic that Jamee has decided to become a Lady Brave. She brings a big game in such a small body. Jamee will be an exciting player to watch and grow in our program. She has that combo guard game I like, with her ability to handle the basketball extremely well, distribute and score,” said Tate. “Jamee is a solid little ball player. Watching her play, one can tell she loves to play the game and being one of the top scorers in the state of Colorado speaks volume about her game. Jamee will make an immediate impact to our program. I expect her passion and character to be an asset to our campus community.
Leichtle is the daughter of James and Diana Leichtle and plans to major in psychology.