Alana Ellis signs with NSU Women’s Basketball

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After returning to the NCAA Tournament, the Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team – under the direction of Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry – continues to reload its roster for the 2023-24 season. Alana Ellis, a guard, joins the Sharks Women’s Basketball team, announces Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry.  

Ellis, a redshirt sophomore, transfers to Nova Southeastern after two seasons at Notre Dame College (OH.) where she started 49 games. Ellis led NDC in scoring in each of the past two years, averaging 15.6 points per game during the 2022-23 season and 14.9 during 2021-22 campaign.  

“Alana is a powerful, highly competitive guard, who has [NCAA] Division II playing experience and has produced at a high level,” stated Freeland-Curry. “She is explosive off the dribble and has three-point range. Defensively, she is physical and can guard both inside and outside. We believe she will continue to develop quickly within our style of play. Our coaching staff and players are extremely excited to announce Alana Ellis is a Shark!” 

During the 2022-23 season, Ellis started 20 games for Notre Dame College, leading the team in scoring and earned her sAll-MEC Honorable Mention recognition. In 2021-22 season, Ellis started all 29 games, averaged 30.2 minutes, 3.7 rebounds, and garnered All-MEC Honorable Mention honors.  

Ellis set career-highs in 2022, scoring 35, making 14 field goals, against West Virginia Wesleyan on December 10. Ellis also set a career-best with eight rebounds against Davis & Elkins on February 5.  

Alana will be pursuing her undergraduate degree in Communications at NSU and enters Nova Southeastern with a 3.1 grade point average.  

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Nicole Scales Signs with NSU Women’s Basketball

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Following a return to the NCAA Tournament, the Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Basketball team – under the direction of Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry – are reloading for the 2023-24 campaign. Nicole Scales, a graduate transfer from Eckerd, has committed to the Sharks, announces, Head Coach Freeland-Curry.  

Scales, transferring from Sunshine State Conference rival Eckerd, started all 32 games for the Triton during the 2022-23 season and helped lead the Tritons to the NCAA South Region Tournament Championship game. Scales averaged 10.7 points-per-game, while shooting 53.6% from the field and 45.8% from beyond the arc.  

“Nicole is a skilled player with a high-motor that can play both guard positions. She brings a wealth of successful Division II experience to our program, helping lead Eckerd to a 47-11 record the past two seasons,” stated Freeland-Curry. “She pushes the tempo on offense, creates shots for teammates, is a powerful driver, and knock down three-point shooter. Defensively, Nicole is a tenacious, on-ball defender, who creates easy offense with her ability to make plays off the ball. We have coached against Nicole for two seasons and know she is a perfect fit for our system. Our coaching staff is extremely excited to announce Nicole Scales is a Shark.” 

In her Tritons career, Scales scored a career-high 22 points against Rollins on February 9, 2022; grabbed 10 rebounds versus West Florida on November 12, 2022; made five three-pointers against Barry on January 11, 2023; three steals versus Barry on February 11, 2023, and five assists against Embry-Riddle on February 28, 2023.  

The Sharks signing class will be announced periodically throughout the off-season. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter at NSU_WBasketball.  

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Madison Frederick Earns Academic All-America Honors

AUSTIN, TX. – The College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced its 2022-23 Academic All-American women’s basketball teams for the NCAA Division I-II-III and NAIA. Madison Frederick, with a perfect 4.00 grade point average in graduate school, earned Academic All-American First-Team honors.  

Frederick, a graduate transfer originally from Tipp City, Ohio, joined the Sharks prior to the 2022-23 season and made an impact on the court and in the classroom. Madison was selected as an All-Sunshine State Conference First-Team honoree, starting all 30 games this year. Frederick led the Sharks in points-per-game (17.1), rebounds (7.9), assists (4.9) and recorded a triple-double on January 21 against Lynn (21/11/13).  

Frederick is pursuing her graduate degree in Leadership and holds a perfect 4.00 GPA.  

Full CSC Academic All-American Teams 

FIRST TEAM  

Name School Yr. GPA Major 

Madison Frederick Nova Southeastern University Gr. 4.00 Leadership 
Jalei Oglesby Arkansas Tech University Sr. 4.00 Rehabilitation Science 
Brooke Olson University of Minnesota Duluth Sr. 3.65 Biology 
Samantha Pirosko Gannon University Sr. 3.96 Physician Assistant 
Jami Tham Tusculum University Gr. 3.91/4.00 Exercise Science (UG) / Sports Admin (G) 

SECOND TEAM  

Name School Yr. GPA Major 

Hannah Belanger Truman State University Sr. 3.67 Business Administration 
Kaylee DaMitz-Holt Drury University Gr. 4.00/4.00 Master in Integrative Leadership 
Sage Hawley Harding University Jr. 3.76 Information Systems 
Jaclyn Jarnot University of West Florida Sr. 3.76 Communications 
Annie Roshak (3) Ashland University Sr. 3.83 Accounting 
Braelyn Wykle Carson-Newman University Sr. 3.59 Nursing 

THIRD TEAM  

Name School Yr. GPA Major 

Paige Emborsky Daemen University Gr. 4.00/4.00 Leadership & Innovation 
Chloe Idoni Ferris State University Sr. 3.99 Elementary Education 
Leah Johnson West Chester University Sr. 3.88 Finance 
Audrey Ramsey University of Tampa Sr. 4.00 Cybersecurity & Information Technology Mgmt. 
Kaitlyn Zarycki Saginaw Valley State University Sr. 3.55 Education 
College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year: 
Brooke Olson, University of Minnesota Duluth 

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Sharks Fall in NCAA South Regional

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 7 seeded Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon, falling to No. 2 seeded Eckerd 73-79. The Sharks were led by a season-high 20 points from Kyannah Grant and 11 points from Hailey Conley in the loss. NSU ends the 2022-23 season with 21 wins

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Score: Nova Southeastern 73, Eckerd 79
Records: Nova Southeastern (21-9, 13-8 SSC) | Eckerd (25-5, 19-2 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa. Fla
Get Social: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter – Eckerd jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but Nova Southeastern went on an 8-0 run after three-pointers from Zeyno Seren and Mackenzie Steele. The Sharks’ lead was extended to 13-6 after five consecutive points from Hailey Conley with just over three minutes remaining in the quarter. India Shepherd and Kyannah Grant both made layups and helped NSU go into the second quarter with a 17-14 lead over Eckerd.

Second Quarter – Kyannah Grant made another layup to open the scoring for the Sharks. The Tritons took a 19-23 lead after a strong run, but a mid-range jumper from Shepherd halted the run. As Eckerd’s lead was extended, Kyannah Grant (2) and Madison Frederick (3) contributed points and lowered the deficit to two points with just over four minutes left in the half. A pair of free throws from Steele were essential in putting NSU into halftime trailing 28-34.

Third Quarter – The Sharks opened the half on a 4-0 run after Kyannah Grant and Seren hit back-to-back layups. Eckerd answered with a 6-0 run of its own, but it was ended after consecutive tough layups from Kyannah Grant. NSU lowered its deficit to 39-46 after a free throw from Sarei McGill and a layup from Conley with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. The Tritons caught fire at the end of the third, but a deep three-pointer from Steele helped put the Sharks into the final quarter trailing 42-54.

Fourth Quarter – NSU opened the fourth quarter on a 4-0 run, with Frederick and Steele both making a free throw and Seren making a layup. The Sharks caught fire with just under six minutes remaining, going on a 9-0 run after Conley (4), Kyannah Grant (3) and Frederick (2) all contributed points. Eckerd extended its lead to 55-65 after six consecutive free throws with under three minutes left in the game. The Sharks got back into it late, with Kyannah Grant and Steele hitting back-to-back three-point plays that lowered the deficit to 68-72 with 37 seconds remaining. The Tritons were critical at the free-throw line down the stretch, and despite its best comeback efforts, NSU would fall to Eckerd 73-79.

STATS OF THE NIGHT

– The 21-wins are tied for the most in program history since 2015-16.

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NSU Takes on Eckerd to Begin NCAA Tournament

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 7 seeded Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team kicks off the NCAA Tournament against the second-seeded Eckerd Tritons on Friday afternoon. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP  

The Sharks dropped the previous two matches against the Tritons this season, falling 83-93 in an overtime thriller at the Rick Case Arena, and 63-80 in an SSC matchup on the road. In the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, NSU fell in the first round against Florida Southern, and Eckerd dropped their semifinal matchup against Lynn.  

Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry is no stranger to the NCAA Tournament, having led NSU to four elite eight appearances in the past decade. Which included three straight South Region titles during that span.  

On the other side, this is the Tritons seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament, with this being their sixth straight trip to the big dance.  

WHAT TO WATCH  

  • All-SSC First Team, All-SSC Newcomer Team, and All-South Region second team member Madison Frederick will spearhead the Sharks. Frederick averages 17.4 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, and 5.1 assists per game. In game one against the Tritons, the Ohio native finished with 31 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. 

  • Hailey Conley will be the difference maker for NSU, Conley is second on the team in points per game and is second in the league with 61 three-pointers made. 

  • Sofia Persson and Maya Price will lead the Tritons, averaging 17.4 and 15.1 points per game respectively. Both athletes were also named to the All-SSC first team. 

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL 

UPCOMING 
The opening round of the NCAA Tournament between the No. 7 seeded Sharks and second-seeded Eckerd is set to tip-off from the Bob Martinez Center at 2:30 p.m, in Tampa, Fla.

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Frederick Selected to All-South Region Team

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Nova Southeastern Women’s basketball team continues to add to their postseason accolades as Madison Frederick was selected as a member of the 2023 Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Women’s Basketball All-South Region Teams. Frederick earned the nod on the All-South Region Second Team. 

The teams were voted on by the sports information directors in the south region. 

The All-SSC First Team and All-SSC Newcomer Team member added another accolade to her collection. Frederick led the Sharks, averaging 17.8 points per game in the regular season, which ranked her third in the SSC. She also was second in the league in three-point percentage (41.7) and second in assists per game (5.1). The Iowa State transfer had five games where she scored 25 or more points, including a season-high 31 points against Eckerd. Frederick also had seven double-doubles and a triple-double against Lynn, which was the first triple-double by a Shark since Christen Prasse did it on February 27, 2019, against Palm Beach Atlantic. 

Sydney Kin of Tampa collected the award as South Region Player of the Year. 

Nova Southeastern was tabbed as the seventh seed in the NCAA South Region and will face number two seed Eckerd, Friday, March 10th at 2:30 pm, in Tampa, Fla.  

To stay up-to-date with NSU’s postseason run, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com, or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_Wbasketball. 

Here is the complete list D2CCA All-South Region teams.

2023 Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Women’s Basketball All-South Region Team

First Team

Pos.       Name                 School           Yr.       Hometown

F       Sydney Kin             Tampa           Sr.      Carey, Ohio

G      Haley Schubert ^      Lee               Sr.      Knoxville, Tenn.

F      Jaclyn Jarnot ^^       West Florida  Sr.      Brooklyn Park, Minn.

G     Shanique Lucas       Union             Sr.      Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

G     Bria Dent             West Alabama    Sr.      Birmingham, Ala.

Second Team

Pos.     Name                      School                    Yr.   Hometown

F          Ashiala Jackson ^^  Tuskegee               Sr.   Merrillville, Ind.

G         Sofia Persson           Eckerd                   Jr.    Arvika, Sweden

G         Melijah Sullivan        Tampa                     Sr.   Bartow, Fla.

C         Maya Price ^             Eckerd                    Sr.   Bury St. Edmunds, England

F         Madison Frederick    Nova Southeastern Sr.  Tipp City, Ohio

F          Zoe Piller                 West Florida            So. Nolensville, Tenn.

South Region Player of the Year: Sydney Kin (Senior, Forward, University of Tampa)

^ – 2022 First Team Selection ^^ – 2022 Second Team Selection

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Sharks Earn No. 7 Seed In NCAA Tournament

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA – The Nova Southeastern Women’s basketball team earned the seventh seed in the NCAA South Region on Sunday evening. The Sharks make a return to the NCAA Tournament, where they will face fellow SSC member and number two seed, the Eckerd Tritons. 

This will be the third meeting this season between both teams, tip-off will take place at the University of Tampa, on Friday, March 10th, at 2:30 p.m.   

Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry led NSU to four elite eight appearances in the past decade, including a recent trip in 2019, where they won the South Region Tournament as the seventh seed. The Sharks enter the NCAA Tournament with a 21-8, 13-7 SSC record, where they will be led by Madison Frederick who earned All Sunshine State Conference First-Team and Newcomer team honors, and All-SSC Second-Team member Hailey Conley.

Both Tampa and Lynn were the other two SSC programs to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, as the Spartans collected the No. 1 seed and will face Tuskegee. While Lynn secured the No. 5 seed and are set to face Lee. 

Union and Valdosta State round out the remainder of the NCAA South Region. 

The winner of NSU and Eckerd will advance to play the winner of Union (TN) and Valdosta State.  

To stay up-to-date with NSU’s postseason run, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com, or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_Wbasketball. 
 

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Frederick and Conley Selected to All-SSC Teams

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference released its 2022-23 All-SSC Women’s Basketball selections on Wednesday afternoon. Madison Frederick and Hailey Conley were recognized by the SSC, with Frederick earning All Sunshine State Conference First-Team and Newcomer team honors, while Conley was selected to the All-SSC Second Team. 

Frederick, a graduate transfer from Iowa State, was the leading scorer for NSU in her first season as a Shark, averaging 17.8 points per game, while shooting 41.7% from three. The Ohio native ranks third in the SSC in points per game, second in three-point percentage, and second in assists per game (5.1). Frederick tabbed two SSC Player of the Week honors this season, November 28 and January 23. The graduate transfer had 14 outings where she scored 20 or more points, including a season-high 31 points against Eckerd on December 3rd. Frederick also had a triple-double against Lynn on Jan. 21st, which made her the first Shark to record a triple-double since Christen Prasse did it on February 27, 2019, against Palm Beach Atlantic.   

Conley, the Connecticut native, made a significant impact on the court for NSU in her fifth season as a Shark, finishing second on the team in scoring (14.3). The Graduate Student ranks 8th in the SSC in points per game and second in the league with 61 made three-pointers this season. Conley had four 20-point outings this season, including a season-high 27 points against Lynn on January 21. The North Franklin product also had 10 games with three or more made three-pointers, including three matches with 5 or more. Defensively, Conley finished with 21 steals, where she had seven games with two or more steals.  

The Nova Southeastern Sharks finished the 2022-23 regular season with a 21-7 record, 13-6 in the Sunshine State Conference and advanced to the quarterfinals of the SSC Championship Tournament. 

To stay up-to-date on the Sharks Women’s Basketball program, be sure to follow on both Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_WBasketball 

All-conference selections and individual award winners are determined by a vote of Sunshine State Conference head coaches with oversight and approval from member institution Athletic Directors.

Player of the Year: Sydney Kin, Tampa
Defensive Player of the Year: Lauryn Vieira, Eckerd
Newcomer of the Year: Sydney Kin, Tampa
Freshman of the Year: K’Nari Holliday, Barry
Coach of the Year: Tom Jessee, Tampa

2022-23 Women’s Basketball All-SSC First Team

Pos.

Name

School

Yr.

Hometown

C

Sydney Kin

Tampa

Sr.

Carey, Ohio

G

Sofia Persson^

Eckerd

Jr.

Arvika, Sweden

F

Melijah Sullivan~†

Tampa

Sr.

Bartow, Fla.

G

Madison Frederick

Nova Southeastern

Gr.

Tipp City, Ohio

C

Maya Price*Δ

Eckerd

Sr.

Bury St. Edmunds, England

2022-23 Women’s Basketball All-SSC Second Team

Pos.

Name

School

Yr.

Hometown

G

Jada Marone

Lynn

Gr.

Lakewood, Ohio

G

Amanda Ulrich*†‡

Saint Leo

Sr.

Secaucus, N.J.

F/C

Ashley Shell

Florida Southern

Gr.

Deerfield Beach, Fla.

G

Audrey Ramsey

Tampa

So.

Boca Raton, Fla.

G

Hailey Conley

Nova Southeastern

Gr.

North Franklin, Conn.

2022-23 Women’s Basketball Honorable Mention

Pos.

Name

School

Yr.

Hometown

F

Ella Fiore

Lynn

So.

Narragansett, R.I.

2022-23 Women’s Basketball All-SSC Newcomer Team

Pos.

Name

School

Yr.

Hometown

C

Sydney Kin

Tampa

Sr.

Carey, Ohio

G

Madison Frederick

Nova Southeastern

Gr.

Tipp City, Ohio

G

Jada Marone

Lynn

Gr.

Lakewood, Ohio

F

Ella Fiore

Lynn

So.

Narragansett, R.I.

C

K’Nari Holliday

Barry

Fr.

Apopka, Fla.

* = 2021-22 All-SSC First Team ^ = 2021-22 All-SSC Second Team Δ = 2021-22 All-SSC Player of the Year

~ = 2020-21 All-SSC First Team † = 2019-20 All-SSC Second Team ‡ = 2019-20 Freshman of the Year

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Sharks Drop Heartbreaker In SSC Quarterfinals

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team fell in the Sunshine State Conference Quarterfinals on Tuesday evening, losing to Florida Southern 67-69. The Sharks were led by 15 points from Kyannah Grant and 12 points from Madison Frederick in the tournament loss.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Records: Nova Southeastern 21-8, 13-8 SSC | Florida Southern 15-13, 11-10 SSC
Score: Nova Southeastern 67, Florida Southern 69
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball | Facebook – NSU Women’s Basketball

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter – Madison Frederick started the scoring for the Sharks with a deep mid-range. Florida Southern jumped out to an 8-2 lead, but three consecutive layups from Kyarrah Grant, Hailey Conley and Skyla Osceola tied the game with under five minutes remaining. A pair of free throws from India Shepherd and back-to-back three-pointers from Mackenzie Steele and Suzan Kinran gave the Sharks a 16-13 advantage. The Mocs answered with a three of its own, but consecutive deep three-balls from Steele and Kyannah Grant extended the lead to 22-15 with just over a minute remaining. Out of a timeout, Kinran hit another three to put NSU up 25-17 at the end of the first quarter.

Second Quarter – Nova Southeastern struck first after Shepherd was fouled while hitting a layup. The Mocs went on a 6-0 run that was ended by a contested layup from Conley. Osceola added to the three-point barrage, hitting a shot from deep over a Florida Southern defender. Kyannah Grant made a layup to put NSU up 34-28 with just over five minutes left in the half. The Mocs caught fire, going on an 13-2 run to end the quarter. The Sharks would go into halftime trailing 36-41.

Third Quarter – The Sharks got on the board first after a corner three-ball from Kyannah Grant and a pair of free throws from Frederick. Nova Southeastern lowered its deficit to 45-47 after back-to-back baskets from freshman Delaney Wolfe with just over four minutes remaining. A pair of free throws from Kyarrah Grant and a tough layup from Frederick helped tie the game 49-49 with just over a minute left in the third. The Mocs ended the quarter on a 6-0 run, and the Sharks would go into the fourth quarter trailing 49-55.

Fourth Quarter – Kyannah Grant hit a three to start the quarter, but the Mocs would take a 52-61 lead with nine minutes remaining in the quarter. The Sharks went on a 9-0 run to tie the game after six straight points from Frederick and a three-pointer from Kyannah Grant with just over six minutes left in the game. Florida Southern regained the lead, but an offensive rebound and score from Conley tied it up. The Sharks gained the advantage after a pair of free throws from Kyannah Grant with three and a half minutes remaining. Kyannah Grant continued her domination, scoring a layup while being fouled to put NSU up 67-63. The Mocs would take the lead on a 6-0 run with 11 seconds left, and the Sharks were unable to convert two last second shots. NSU would fall 67-69 in a heartbreaker to Florida Southern.

STATS OF THE NIGHT

Kyannah Grant was averaging 4.2 points over the last five games before her 15-point output vs. Florida Southern.

Madison Frederick has scored 12+ points in each of the last five games.

UPCOMING

The Sharks will await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday, March 5 at 10:30am.

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NSU to Face Florida Southern In SSC Quarterfinals

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball team kicks off SSC tournament play tonight at the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. with NSU facing off against Florida Southern. The Sharks (21-7, 13-7 SSC) enter the SSC Championship Tournament as the fourth seed, while the Moccasins (14-13, 10-10 SSC) finished the regular season in fifth place. 

The Sharks will make their 11th straight trip to the SSC tournament under the direction of Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry. NSU has won the league three times, with their most recent victory coming in 2015.  

Heading into the matchup, both teams split the season series. On January 1st, NSU secured the 78-67 victory over Florida Southern at the Rick Case Arena. Later that month, FSC defended their home court and pulled out the 66-58 win over Nova.  

NSU is led by the offensive tandem of Madison Frederick and Hailey Conley. Frederick ranks third in the SSC in points per game (17.8), second in the conference in three-point percentage (41.7%) and she is also second in the league in assists per game (5.1). Conley has been putting up impressive numbers as well, ranking eighth in the conference in points per game (14.3.), and second in the league with 61 made three-pointers this season. 

The tournament seeds are as follows, the University of Tampa earns the No. 1 seed, Eckerd College (No. 2), Lynn University (No. 3), Nova Southeastern University (No. 4), Florida Southern College (No. 5), Barry University (No. 6), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (No. 7), and Saint Leo University (No. 8) round out this year’s tournament field. 

Following Tuesday’s quarterfinal round, the Sunshine State Conference Tournament semifinal round will be played on Thursday, March 2, with the final being played on Sunday, March 5. Each round of the SSC Tournament will be played at the host site of the higher-seeded institution. The SSC champion will receive an automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA Division II Championships. 

For complete coverage and to stay up-to-date on Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball, follow on Instagram and Twitter – NSU_WBasketball. 

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