Women's Basketball Announces Roster for 2023-24 Season
(Howell, MI)-- Cleary University head women's basketball coach Kevin Mondro has announced the roster for the 2023-24 inaugural season.
"Without a doubt, starting a basketball program from the ground up has been a great challenge," said Coach Mondro.
"As a head coach, of course you want talented players, and, you want to make sure that you are recruiting young women who want Cleary business education. At the end of the day, their education is truly what matters to me. I can't thank (Admissions Representative) Nick Hoogerhyde enough for painting a great picture of what a Cleary deegree can mean to a young person. Nick is the ultimate ambassador for Cleary University as a Cleary undergrad and master degree graduate. Plus, Nick's tremendous work with our baseball team and being our liaison in the admissions office is something that I admire greatly. That being said, I wanted to start a program with GREAT people. I think there is no doubt in my mind that we have GREAT young women in this program. For sure, this first year will be a roller coaster with many twists and turns, but we have tremendous young women on this ride who are going to do awesome things. These young women are hungry to play college basketball and want to grow as students and people. At the end of the day, my goal is to be 'Impossible to Play.' I already know that we are going to have a ton of fun doing so. I can't thank these ten players enough for taking a leap of faith in me and in Cleary University. Actually, they already have won before even hitting the court. Quite simply, they have paved the way for the Cleary Women's Basketball program for years to come."
#0 Caitlyn Rayl - 5'6 - Freshman - Howell High School
Coach Dro's Comments:
"It was imperative that we sign a local play from Howell and Livingston County. Immediately, I knew that Caitlyn would be a great player to build the program around. And, in a year of firsts, she will go down as the 1st Women's Basketball Player ever to commit to Cleary University. What I liked about Caitlyn right away, besides being a spectacular student, was that she is all about winning. She played a major part in helping Howell High School with their 1st district championship since 2016. Caitlyn is super coachable. She does all the little things. She is a fierce competitor who has a high basketball IQ. An honorable mention KLAA player, Caitlyn will continue to grow as a player here at Cleary. Her best basketball is ahead of her. I am so thankful that Caitlyn paved the way for so many young women to want to play basketball here at Cleary University."
=====
#1 Kaylie Bash - 5'8 - Freshman - Erie-Mason High School
Dual - Track & Field
Coach Dro's Comments:
"I first met Kaylie and her parents when she came into my office on her Track & Field visit to Cleary. Instantly, I was stuck by how passionate she was about wanting to play college basketball. You could tell immediately that she wanted a chance to compete and play. I love that about her. A combo guard who can play all over the floor; Kaylie was the leading scorer in both her region and league. In addition, she made the first team in the Tri-County Conference. Kaylie also had an incredible track & field career in high school. Kaylie was a great hurdler during her prep career, and, she will be an exceptional hurdler for Coach Serafin here at Cleary. There is no doubt that competing in two sports and competing in the classroom will be a great challenge for Kaylie; however, I am more than confident that she will conquer both."
=====
#3 Rylee Thomas - 5'6 - Junior - Macomb Community College
Coach Dro's Comments:
"After my first conversation with Rylee, I knew that she had to be in our basketball program. Rylee is an incredible student who is passionate about being an accountant. And, Rylee has such an infectious team spirit - as we will all find out. Rylee is a fierce competitor on both the basketball court and softball field. Rylee played a major role at Macomb Community College - for both programs. Rylee is a terrific jump shooter who can play multiple positions. She made 53 three point shots - this past season. This season, she had a game in which she went 8 for 10 from three (second most in School History). Quite simply, Rylee can flat out shoot the basketball. A 2021 graduate of L'Anse Creuse High School where she was also the female outstanding athlete of the year in high school, Rylee will make an immediate impact with Cougars."
=====
#5 Morgan Harvey - 5'7 - Freshman - Howell High School
Coach Dro Comments:
"Morgan was a late addition to the team and I am really glad that she decided to attend Cleary. As a matter of fact, Morgan has a great zest for marketing and will be a tremendous student here at Cleary. Morgan also has a tremendous background in competitive swimming. She swam the breaststroke at Howell High School. Thus, Morgan could not compete during High School on the basketball court. However, we are fortunate that Morgan wants to bring her competitive spirit to our basketball program. As I have said countless times, we have tremendous young women on the women's basketball team here at Cleary. I am excited to help Morgan grow as a basketball player, student, and young woman."
=====
#10 Amelia Storm - 6'1 - Freshman - Howell High School
Coach Dro's Comments:
"As soon as I was hired as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Cleary University last October, everyone told me about this super talented player in Howell. The first time that I met Amelia Storm I thought that I just had met one of the nicest young women ever. The first time that I watched Amelia Storm play basketball, I was blown away with how talented she was. We are very fortunate to have Amelia choose Cleary University. A 2022 graduate of Howell High School, Amelia was a 1st Team KLAA Conference, BCAM Team Academic All State, and Honorable Mention All Livingston County. Amelia Storm will continue to grow as a basketball player over her career. Amelia possesses great size and has a great sill level for her length. She is athletic and can run for days. And, she loves to rebound."
====
#12 Taedom Stein - 5'9 - Junior - Oakland Community College
Coach Dro's Comments:
"I had the opportunity to watch Taedom play a-lot this season for Coach Josh Lees at Oakland Community College. Taedom is an incredible player. Quite simply, she attacks the rim with zero fear. She is tenacious. In addition, she can really pass the basketball and she is a very effective finisher. She shot over 50% from the field at OCC. Taedom was selected to both All East 2nd and 3rd Teams during her career. However, Taedom is also a tenacious defender. A member of the All Defensive team, there is no doubt that Taedom will anchor our defense. Taedom is also a great student who takes care of her business off the court. And, she is an artist who loves to paint. I truly think that Taedom and Cleary are the perfect match with her down the line business goals."
====
#15 Hannah Covert - 5'9 - Junior - Oakland Community College
Coach Dro's Comments:
"As everyone knows, I love players who can shoot the basketball. However, I also love players who have versatility. There is no doubt in my mind that Hannah Covert is one of the most versatile players that I watched play his past season. Hannah is so skilled and so smooth. She can really pass the basketball but her vision is off the charts. She can shoot the ball too. She is also a lefty who gets to the basket. And, she has a motor that never turns off. An honorable mention selection this past season, I can't wait to take her game to another level. Truly, Hannah's best basketball is ahead of her. Hannah is also a tremendous person. I was blown away how caring and concerning she was for her OCC teammates. I knew that I needed a soul like hers in our basketball program."
=======
#22 Amy Jackson - 5'9 Junior - Macomb Community College
Dual - Bowling
Coach Dro's Comments:
"Amy Jackson was the first junior college player who signed with Cleary, and I am beyond excited that someone as talented as Amy chose us. Amy is an elite shooter. From the moment that I fIrst watched her, I thought that every shot looked like it was going in. Amy made first team All MCCAA this past season. Amy is leaving Macomb Community College as the All Time 3pt Shooter in School History (she made 185 3's in her career); Also, Amy holds the record for most 3-pointers made in a single season at 85. In addition, Amy had 15 Double Figure Games this Season. Amy also has great size and can play anywhere off the court. Also, Amy has terrific versatility - she is extremely skilled. Amy Prepped at Flat Rock High School - where she was the Monroe News Athlete of the Year in 2018/2019. Finally, Amy is an exceptional student. There is no doubt that Amy will make an immediate impact for the Cougars."
=====
#24 Riley Merryfield - 5'7 - Junior - Lansing Community College
Coach Dro's Comments:
"I met Riley really later in the recruiting period. However, I am beyond so thankful that her Coach, Megan Hudson, sent me so much film and information on her. For sure, Riley is a very talented player. She can really shoot the basketball. And, she can shoot the basketball with tremendous range. Plus, I was enamored with how a right handed player could go left and shoot pull up jump shots with so much ease. At LCC, Riley had great success: leading scorer and led the team in assists as well. Also, she was third team All Conference this past season. However, what I was so impressed with Riley was her passion to lead and excel in the classroom. Riley was a two year team captain at LCC and everyone that I talked to raved about her leadership skills. Plus, she was on the President list during his entire career at Lansing. After meeting Riley, I knew how serious she was about her academics. I can't wait to see Riley excel both on and off the court here at Cleary."
====
#32 Mileisha Rodriguez - 6'1 - Junior - Oakland Community College
Coach Dro's Comments:
"We are very fortunate to have signed someone as talented as Mileisha. Mileisha was a very productive player at Oakland Community College - accomplishing the following accolades during her career: All East Freshman Team (2019/20) , All East 2nd Team (2019/20), All Metro Defensive Team (2021) and All East Honorable Mention (2023). Mileisha is super skilled for her size. Her ability to shoot the basketball from the High Post is incredible, and, her ability to play off the dribble, at her size, is also very impressive. She will be a mismatch waiting to happen this season. Just as importantly, Mileisha is an impressive young woman off the court. Immediately, I was thoroughly impressed with her level of maturity. I knew right away that she has a level of leadership that would be invaluable to a program starting up. We will rely heavily on Mileisha on and off the court."