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FLC Women's Basketball Announces 11 Additions to the 2021-22 Roster

By: Angela Roberts, Athletic Communications Assistant
WBB
2021 WBB Signing Class

Women's Basketball | 8/26/2021 3:58:00 PM

DURANGO, Colo. – Fort Lewis College head women's basketball coach Taylor Harris has announced the addition of 11 student-athletes for the 2021-22 season. The additions join a group of five returners to bring this year's roster to 16 athletes. 

The group marks the first recruiting class for Harris after taking over as the 12th head coach in program history. Harris comes to Durango from Miles Community College, where he guided the 2020-21 Pioneers to a Region XIII Championship, a 23-2 overall record, and a win in the school's first-ever national tournament game.

"I am excited for this group of eleven young women to join our program here at Fort Lewis College," commented coach Harris.  "We have a mix of transfers, junior college athletes, international students, and freshmen that will all compete every day to make our practices great. This class represents six different states, three different countries, and each one of these women embodies what it means to be a student-athlete, with each one of them having above a 3.5 GPA from their previous school."

Meet the Newcomers

Ember Cervantes [G, 5-3, Mescalero, N.M./New Mexico Highlands]
Transfer from New Mexico Highlands University…First Team All-State award winner…All-District Offensive Player of the Year

Harris' comments on Cervantes: "We are really excited about Ember's energy and enthusiasm she will bring to our program. She will have an impact on our culture from day one with her ability to lead in all facets of the program."
 
Grace Ellis [G, 5-9, Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Stevens]
Led her team to a 17-6 record as a senior…South Dakota State Tournament qualifier…averaged six points and three rebounds per game as a senior

Harris' comments on Ellis: "Grace comes from a very storied basketball program in Rapid City, and knows what it takes to play winning basketball. We are really excited for what she will bring to our program."
 
Kelsey Sorenson [F, 6-0, Price, Utah/Big Bend CC]
Started in 37 career games at Big Bend CC…averaged 25.4 minutes per game…averaged 20 points per game and 14 rebounds per game last season

Harris' comments on Sorenson: "We are excited to have Kelsey, who had such a decorated career at a respected program at Big Bend.  Her impact will be felt right away on the rebounding side of the basketball, and we're excited for the versatility she can bring to the offensive end of the court."
 
Tayla Nez [G, 5-4, Kayenta, Ariz./Pima CC]
Played in 29 career games at Pima CC…averaged 6.2 minutes per game…averaged 3.4 points per game

Harris' comments on Nez: "To get someone like Tayla who has played for a respected program like Pima is really exciting.  She has played for a great junior college coach, and her understanding of what it takes to win at the college level will be an instant asset."
 
Sahra Genc [F, 6-3, Istanbul, Turkey/Bella Vista Prep]
Genc's 2020-21 season was cut short due to pandemic…during the shortened season she averaged 9 points per game, 9 rebounds per game, and 3 blocks per game…named a top-five center in Arizona by Prep Girls Hoops after the 2019 season

Harris' comments on Genc: "Obviously we look at Sahra's size and get excited, but she has a well-rounded offensive skill set.  She's going to provide a lot of help on the defensive and rebounding end of the court.  We are excited to have someone with her size and skill set join us as a freshman."
 
Charlize Valdez [G, 5-7. Ignacio, Colo./Ignacio]
Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State Girl's Basketball game participant…averaged 9.9 points per game and 3.7 rebounds per games as a senior

Harris' comments on Valdez: "Charlize is someone that will add so much value to our culture from day one.  She comes from a basketball family; a coach's daughter is always someone you're excited to coach.  We're excited to have a local Ignacio student-athlete be a part of this program, and we're excited to watch her develop over her career."
 
Claudia Vidal [F, 6-1, Barcelona, Spain/Northwestern State]            
Transfer from Northwestern State where she appeared in all 20 games as a freshman…averaged 17.6 minutes per game…averaged 1.9 rebounds per game…named to the 2020-21 Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll

Harris' comments on Vidal: "Claudia is a transfer that played 18 minutes per game at the Division I level.  She was well-coached at her last school, and with her skill set and work ethic, we are excited to watch how she will impact our program right away.  It's also very exciting for us to continue to show the importance of recruiting Spain in our program."
 
Samantha Wattawa [F, 5-10, Mesa, Ariz./Desert Ridge]
Averaged 15.0 points per game as a senior…averaged eight rebounds and two assists per game…led the team to a 13-5 record in her senior season

Harris' comments on Wattawa: "Sam can play multiple positions and with her work ethic she will find a way to have a great impact on the court in our program.  We are excited to watch her grow and develop over her career."
 
Jana Conejero [G, 5-7, Malaga, Spain/Miles CC]
Played in 23 career games for Miles CC…averaged 30.3 minutes per game…averaged 11.0 points per game…averaged 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game

Harris' comments on Conejero: "Jana is someone who played with me at Miles last year and I am excited for us to continue our relationship together.  She will have an impact right away with her ability to play both guard spots and score.  She is someone who has had overseas experience in Spain and got to play in the NJCAA National Tournament last year, so for a freshman, she will have a lot of experience to add to our program."
 
Destiny Kessay [G, 5-7, McNary, Ariz./Hesston College]
Appeared in 30 games and started 22 games ...averaged 34 minutes per game as a sophomore…led the team in scoring as a sophomore and freshman

Harris' comments on Kessay: "Destiny is an exciting player for us.  Any time you can get someone who was a top three scorer in the Jayhawk League, one of the best NJCAA leagues in the country, you know you have someone who is a special player.  We are really excited for what she will bring to our program."
 
Piper Terry [F, 5-9, Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka]
Led her team to a 15-5 record as a senior…averaged 5.9 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game…played in 80 career games

Harris' comments on Terry: "Piper has the ability to play multiple positions and has a lot of experience playing against big-time competition in her hometown of Minneapolis.  I know that with her work ethic, she will continue to grow and add value to our program over the years."
 
Final Comments from Coach Harris
"We are excited for this class to join our returners and show that with a loving culture, we can accomplish anything.  I give so much credit to our assistants Audra Lynn and Jason Flores with their work on this class, ensuring that we have the right fits for our program. We are really excited about this year."

Looking Ahead
Fort Lewis College will kick off the season on November 12-13 when the team travels to face Eastern New Mexico University and Western New Mexico University at the Conference Challenge Event in Silver City, New Mexico.
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Ember Cervantes

#0 Ember Cervantes

G
5' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
Grace Ellis

#1 Grace Ellis

G
5' 9"
Freshman
Kelsey Sorenson

#5 Kelsey Sorenson

F
6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
Tayla Nez

#10 Tayla Nez

G
5' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Sahra Genc

#11 Sahra Genc

F
6' 3"
Freshman
Charlize Valdez

#13 Charlize Valdez

G
5' 7"
Freshman
Claudia Vidal

#14 Claudia Vidal

F
6' 1"
Redshirt Freshman
Samantha Wattawa

#21 Samantha Wattawa

F
5' 10"
Freshman
Jana Conejero

#22 Jana Conejero

G
5' 7"
Redshirt Freshman
Destiny Kessay

#23 Destiny Kessay

G
5' 7"
Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Ember Cervantes

#0 Ember Cervantes

5' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Grace Ellis

#1 Grace Ellis

5' 9"
Freshman
G
Kelsey Sorenson

#5 Kelsey Sorenson

6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Tayla Nez

#10 Tayla Nez

5' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Sahra Genc

#11 Sahra Genc

6' 3"
Freshman
F
Charlize Valdez

#13 Charlize Valdez

5' 7"
Freshman
G
Claudia Vidal

#14 Claudia Vidal

6' 1"
Redshirt Freshman
F
Samantha Wattawa

#21 Samantha Wattawa

5' 10"
Freshman
F
Jana Conejero

#22 Jana Conejero

5' 7"
Redshirt Freshman
G
Destiny Kessay

#23 Destiny Kessay

5' 7"
Redshirt Sophomore
G