Media Guides

            Ashland University head women’s basketball coach Sue Ramsey has announced that the Eagles have received commitments from three players for next year.  All of the new recruits, who have inked letters of intent, will begin their collegiate careers next fall.

            The trio of newcomers consists of Chelsea LaPorte (Miamisburg, OH), Mikaela Lengal (Brunswick, OH) and Alyssa Miller (Zanesville, OH/Tri-Valley).  Information on the newcomers can be found below.

            Chelsea Laporte (Miamisburg, OH) – Laporte is a 5-7 guard.  She is a four-year starter and a year ago, averaged 15.4 ppg., 5.8 apg., 3.2 rpg., and 2.7 spg.  Laporte shot 42 percent from the floor. She was named first team all-conference and led the league in assists.  For the second consecutive season she was named to the District 15 coaches association underclass all-star team.  Laporte is Miamisburg’s career leader in assists.

            As a sophomore, Laporte averaged 11.1 ppg., 5.7 apg., 4.2 rpg. 

            “Chelsea is one of the most intelligent basketball players that I’ve seen in my 23 years of coaching,” said Miamisburg head coach Ron Russo.  “Her instincts and knowledge of the game are a coach’s dream.  Chelsea is a true point guard who has led our team in scoring and assists for the past two seasons.  She is all business when it comes to basketball.  Many nights and weekends during the season and in the offseason she is in our gym working on her game.  It is not uncommon for her to leave our practice and go to the local YMCA and play and practice more.”

            “I am so impressed with Chelsea’s love for the game and the intensity at which she plays it,” said Ramsey.  “Her ability to handle the ball, make great decisions, score both from three-point range and around the hoop and her overall hustle every minute she is on the floor will make her a great addition to our program.  We are so happy to have Chelsea as an AU Eagle.”

            Mikaela Lengal (Brunswick, OH) – Lengel is a 5-10 guard-forward.  As a junior, she averaged 18.4 ppg., 9.0 rpg., and shot 80 percent at the free throw stripe.  She was special mention All-Ohio and first team all-conference, All-Northeast Inland District and All-Medina County.  She holds school single-game records for the most free throws made in a game (15) and attempted in a game (20).

            “Mik is one of the most athletic players I have coached in my 20 years of coaching,” said Brunswick head coach Paul Gerycz.  “She is a great vocal leader and also leads by example in a great way.  She has an amazing work ethic and is always striving to make herself a better player.  Mik is a quality individual who not only works hard on the court, but in the classroom as well.  She has an outgoing personality that is infectious to anyone she comes in contact with.  Mik will succeed in whatever she sets her mind to.”

            “Mik’s overall athleticism is very impressive,” added Ramsey.  “She has the ability to create and finish shots, to rebound both ends of the floor and to get to the free throw line where she averages an impressive 80 percent.  Along with her skills, Mik fits the AU model with her strong work ethic and desire to get better every time she steps on the floor.  We are so excited she has chosen to be an AU Eagle.”

            Alyssa Miller (Zanesville, OH/Tri-Valley) – Miller is a 5-10 guard. She has played both point and shooting guard during her prep career.  Last season, she averaged 9.4 ppg., 4.4 apg., and shot 51.5 percent from the field and 78.6 percent at the free throw line.  She was first team all-conference and all-district.  Miller was first team all-conference and second team all-district as a sophomore. That year, she set the school single-season record for three-point percentage (47.2 percent).  Miller has been recognized as the team’s most valuable player each of the last two seasons.

            Miller has also competed in volleyball and track and field.  She has been named first team all-conference in volleyball and has won a district championship in the mile.  Miller comes to AU with a 3.87 grade point average.

            “Ashland University has a successful basketball program and the coaches and players are extremely personable,” said Miller.  “I feel very comfortable at Ashland and I’m positive that I will achieve my academic goals because of Ashland’s strong academic program.”

            “Alyssa is a very wise basketball player,” noted Tri-Valley head coach Marty Bice.  “She understands how the game of basketball is played.  She has a great work ethic and attitude toward her teammates and she’s very talented.”

            “I have had the privilege of watching Alyssa since her freshman year in high school,” said Ramsey.  “Every year she has taken her game to a new level.  I am so impressed with her skills and her outstanding knowledge of the game.  Alyssa is a tremendous leader both verbally and by example.  She is a perfect fit in our program both on the court and in the classroom.  We are so excited to have her as an Eagle.”

            Ashland will begin the 2009-2010 season on Nov. 21 with a non-conference game at Urbana.

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