Bucknell University Athletics
Women's Basketball Adds Three Players During Early Signing Period
11/12/2015 4:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Fourth-year head coach Aaron Roussell has announced the signing of three student-athletes to the women's basketball program for the 2016-17 season. Gia Hayes, Ellie Mack and Mary Katherine (MK) Moore all signed their national letters of intent to join the Bison and will make up the team's class of 2020.
"This is an incredible class that perfectly fits what we are looking for in a Bucknell student-athlete,” Roussell said. “All three are about the most polite and well-rounded young women that you could ask for. Getting to know these three and their families during the recruiting process has been a pleasure, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our family. From a basketball standpoint, their abilities should allow all three to make an immediate impact when they arrive on campus next year"
Hayes, a 5-8 guard from Maumelle, Arkansas, was an all-state selection after leading eStem Public Charter to the 3A state title, the first sports championship in school history. She followed her stellar sophomore campaign with an impressive junior season, earning team MVP honors after averaging 22.0 points and 4.1 assists. Hayes is already the school record holder with 1,900 career points with a full season left to play. A three-year team captain, she has earned three all-conference awards and three Scholar-Athlete honors.
"Gia is a very dynamic combo guard that can already score in a variety of different ways,” Roussell said. “We will be able to play her at multiple positions and expect great things from her both right away and down the road."
Mack, a 6-2 forward from Paoli, Pennsylvania, averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while earning First Team All-Central League honors as a sophomore. Unfortunately, she missed her entire junior season with an injury, but has recovered and is set to return to her role as a starter for Conestoga High School for her senior season. Mack has earned two All-Central League accolades, was named to the Daily Local News All-Star Team, and was tabbed as the MVP of the Upper Merion Invitational prior to her injury.
"Ellie is an incredibly versatile player that can play inside and outside, and also runs the floor extremely well,” Roussell said. “She was coming off surgery this spring, but came back better than anyone I have ever seen from an ACL injury. She is as close to a complete player as you will find at that size.”
Moore, a 6-5 center from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, earned First Team All-County recognition while playing for St. Thomas Aquinas. A team captain and a Broward County Fab Five selection, she has averaged 13.0 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Moore is the second member of her family to become a Bucknell athlete. Her brother, R.J. is a current member of the Bison men's water polo team.
"Obviously, her size is what clearly stands out. At a legit 6-5 she will allow us to do some new things on both ends of the floor to take advantage of what she brings. She has already dramatically improved over the last year, and we are excited for what lies ahead for MK."
Bucknell is coming off a season in which it went 18-12, its best record during Roussell's time with the program. The Bison will lose a three-player senior class following the conclusion of the 2015-16 season.
