Minnesota State Inks Three Players for 2011-12 Season

Mavericks Look for Height with Incoming Recruits

Mankato, Minn.-- Minnesota State head coach Pam Gohl has announced the signing of three players to National Letters of Intent for the 2011-12 season. The players include Jamie Bresnahan, Cierra Byers and Lexie Ulfers.

All signings are contingent upon admission to MSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Bresnahan - a 6-0 forward who is a senior at Edina High School- averaged 8.7 points and 8.03 rebounds as a junior.  Bresnahan totaled 230 rebounds during her junior campaign which ranks as fourth best single-season mark at Edina and is currently tenth on Edina’s all-time rebounding list. The four-year letterwinner was named all-conference her sophomore and junior seasons.

“We are thrilled that Jamie will continue the Bresnahan tradition of wearing the Maverick purple and gold (both Dad and brother played baseball for MSU).  Jamie is quick and athletic," said Gohl. "She has a natural knack for rebounding and has a way of playing where she looks like she’s playing harder and with a greater intensity than anyone else on the floor.  She reminds me of Alex Andrews, a former NSIC All-Conference forward at MSU."

Byers -  a 6-1 forward who is a senior at Wayzata High School- averaged 3.4 points for the 6AAAA Section champions last season.  Byers was a member of  Wayzata's first state tournament appearance for girls’ basketball, finishing fourth-place in class AAAA. The Plymouth, Minn., native played with the Minnesota Suns Arbogast AAU team this summer.

“We are very excited to have Cierra on our team next year.  She will fit into our system nicely because she can hit the three or score inside and she can defend almost every position, said Gohl.  She’s aggressive and athletic and knows what it takes to be a part of a ‘winning tradition.’ Cierra is smart and with her height and offensive abilities, she’ll help provide depth at our forward/center spot. ”

Ulfers - a 6-2 forward who is a senior at Waseca High School - averaged 18 points, ten rebounds and three blocks last season at Waseca. Ulfers was an All-State Honorable Mention as a junior and named to the All-Conference team as a sophomore and junior.

“We are very excited to have Lexie join our program.  It’s always great when we can recruit a local student- athlete.  Lexie has great speed and length (arm length of a 6’5 person).  She’s a three-sport athlete in high school (tennis, basketball, and softball).  We think her game will only get better and better when she focuses on just basketball.  She’s got a great understanding of the game and an incredible work ethic.  She too will help provide depth at our 4/5 spot, said Gohl."

The Mavericks are set to kick off the 2010-2011 season Nov. 19, against Grand View at Bresnan Arena.

2011-2012 Minnesota State newcomers
Name    Height    Position    Hometown/ Previous School
Jamie Bresnahan    6-0    Forward    Edina, Minn./ Edina High School
Cierra Byers    6-1    Forward    Plymouth, Minn./ Wayzata High School
Lexie Ulfers    6-2    Forward    Waseca, Minn./ Waseca High School