UMD Womens Basketball Inks Four

Nov 20, 2012

Northland Sports Online

A quartet of standout prep athletes have committed to play basketball at the University of Minnesota Duluth during the early signing period. Jenna Orr, Allyson Harris, Kenzie Kane and Tessa Doolittle each signed national letters of intent and will join the Bulldogs during the 2013-14 season.

“We are extremely happy to add all four of these young ladies to our program. They all excel on the court and are also outstanding performers in the classroom. They are great student-athletes and great people. They are each a perfect fit for UMD,” Bulldog head coach Annette Wiles said of her fifth full recruiting class, which features two guards and two forwards. Three of the four hail from Minnesota, while one is a native of Wisconsin.

Jenna Orr, a 5’-6” guard from Rice Lake, Wis. (Rice Lake High School) Heads into her senior season as a three-time All-Big Rivers conference selection … averaged 16 points per game as a junior on her way to landing conference player of the year honors … played four seasons of varsity with the Rice Lake volleyball team, earning two all-conference nods … also competes with the Rice Lake softball team as an all-conference and all-state performer … dedicated student is a member of the National Honor Society and the rotary club, and serves as a member of the student council.

Coach Wiles on Orr, “Jenna brings an intensity and offensive mindset that will thrive at our point guard position. She understands the game and gets the job done on both ends of the floor. We are thrilled she is joining our Bulldog Family.”

6’-2” forward Allyson Harris from Northfield, Minn. (Northfield High School) Put up 14 points a game as a junior, landing an All-Missota Conference honorable mention selection … enters her fourth season of varsity competition, and third as a starter in the Northfield frontcourt in her final prep go-around … led her team in scoring both her sophomore and junior seasons en route to a pair of all-conference honorable mention selections … holds the school record for blocked shots in a career … has racked up over 800 points and more than 400 rebounds in her career on the high school circuit … selected as one of the top 100 players in the state of Minnesota during the 2012-13 preseason … also competes for the Northfield tennis and track teams … member of National Honor Society and RALIE (Northfield High School’s leadership group).

Coach Wiles on Harris, “Allyson adds a great offensive threat to our inside game. Her athleticism adds a great rebounding and scoring presence. She can run the floor well and is aggressive around the basket. We are excited to add Allyson to our basketball program.”

Kenzie Kane , a 5’-11” guard from Grand Rapids, Minn. (Grand Rapids High School) Averaged over 17 points a game last winter, helping the Thunderhawks reach the state tournament (a feat they have accomplished twice in her time at Grand Rapids) … heads into her fourth season of starting duty in the Thunderhawk backcourt in 2012-13 … landed an all-conference selection and Class AAA All-State honorable mention acclaim a year ago … is a five-year letterwinner on the Grand Rapids tennis team, having advanced to a pair of state tournaments.

Coach Wiles on Kane, “Kenzie adds length and an aggressive scoring ability to our perimeter play. She has a nose for the ball and plays a physical style of defense which will benefit us in the NSIC. We are looking forward to her years in Maroon & Gold.”

Tessa Doolittle, a 6’-2” forward from Oakdale, Minn. (Hill Murray High School) Is no stranger to competing at a high level, having reached each of the last three state tournaments with her Hill Murray squad … set a school record for blocks in a single season (46) as a junior, establishing herself as a dominant, two-way post player … is a member of the National Honor Society and Amnesty International.

Coach Wiles on Doolittle, “Tessa brings good size and mobility to this recruiting class. Her ability to rebound and block shots will help us on the defensive end! We are excited for Tessa to be a Bulldog.”

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