The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Women's Basketball program has announced the addition of three transfers who will join two incoming freshmen with the Ranger program in the Fall of 2010.
Joining Jessica Brito (Danville, Ill./Bismarck-Henning HS) and Danielle Slivka (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg HS) who both signed National Letters of Intent in the fall are: Jenna Endisch (Muskego, Wis./Ellsworth CC), Jaleesa Trussell (Racine, Wis./Detroit Mercy), and Sierra West (Slinger, Wis./Lewis University).
“We are very excited about this talented group of young ladies. They all have experience playing at the collegiate level which will be very valuable to our team,” said Ranger head coach Jenny Kenesie. “They will improve our depth as a team and make us stronger as we strive to compete at the national level.”
Jenna Endisch joins the Rangers after a stellar season at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa. The 5'9” perimeter player finished 18th in NJCAA Division II and second in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference in scoring at 18.2 points per game. She was fourth in the nation in free throw percentage (88%) and tied for 25th in three-pointers made with 62 helping earn her first team all-region honors.
“Jenna is a great shooter with very deep range,” cited Kenesie. “We are really excited about her shooting ability which is an area our team needs to improve on. She is also a very versatile player who is capable of playing all 3 guard positions which will give us some depth at multiple positions.”
Endisch redshirted in 2008-09 for a University of Alaska-Anchorage program that reached the Final Four. She was a three-year starter at Muskego High School averaging 14.6 points, 3.0 steals, and shot 42% from the three-point line in helping lead the Warriors to the Sectional Final her senior year. Endisch scored 18 points in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches All-Star Game in 2008. She will have three years of eligibility remaining at UW-Parkside.
Jaleesa Trussell joined the program in January after transferring from the University of Detroit Mercy where she competed in 24 games as a freshman averaging 4.0 points and 2.2 rebounds. She will also have three years of eligibility at UW-Parkside.
“Jaleesa is an unbelievable athlete,” commented Kenesie. “She is one of the best athletes we have had in the program and we are excited about her ability to get to the rim. Teams will have a tough time matching up with her athleticism.”
Trussell, a 5'9” guard, averaged 18.0 points per game as a senior at Case High School and was named third team all-state. She was ranked as the 17th best senior in Wisconsin in the Class of 2008; one of seven Rangers in the Top 25 from that class.
Sierra West recently finished her second season as Lewis University and will sit out next season due to GLVC transfer regulations. The 5'6” point guard played in 25 games a year ago and is a career 39% three-point shooter.
“We spent a lot of time watching Siera play in high school and she is a very solid point guard,” said Kenesie. “She loves to distribute the ball and play the role of a true point guard. She will gain a lot from redshirting due to the transfer rules and I believe she has the ability to have a great career at Parkside.”
West was an Honorable Mention All-State selection at Slinger High School and chosen to the WBCA Division 2 All-Star Team. She was ranked as the 21st best senior in the Class of 2008 and averaged 13.9 points and 5.0 assists that season. She is a two-time member of GLVC Academic All-Conference Team.
Jessica Brito and Danielle Slivka finished up their high school careers this March with two very successful seasons. Each player helped lead their team to conference and regional championships.
Brito led Bismarck-Henning (Ill.) High School to a 31 consecutive wins before a leg injury ended her season in the state playoffs; the Blue Devils 32-1. She averaged 11.0 points, 5.1 assists and 3.5 steals in being named to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State Second Team and the Associated Press' Third Team. She finished her career with 1,112 points and tied the school record for assists in a season with 157.
Slivka wrapped up her career at Johnsburg High School fourth on the career scoring list and fifth in all-time steals. Johnsburg went 23-9 and reached the Super-Sectional round behind Slivka's 13.7 points per game, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Slivka was named to the Fox Valley All-Conference team and earned MVP honors at the McHenry County All-Star Game in April.
“Danielle and Jessica finished their high school basketball careers with a lot of individual and team success,” noted Kenesie. “They have worked extremely hard to get where they are and I know they will continue that work ethic as they begin their collegiate careers.”
The Rangers are coming off the best season in school history earning an NCAA Tournament berth after winning Great Lakes Valley Conference North Division and reaching the GLVC Tournament Championship game.
“I am thrilled to have these quality young women a part of our program,” summed up Kenesie. “They all have strengths that complement our returning players and I am excited to see their growth as student athletes at UW-Parkside. ”
