The UAA women's basketball team, which finished runner-up in NCAAA Division II this season thanks it part to its suffocating defense, has signed a junior college transfer whose resume includes a defensive accolade.
Seawolves coach Ryan McCarthy on Wednesday announced the signing of 5-foot-9 guard Zhara Laster from Peninsula College in Washington. Laster this past season was honored as the Northwest Athletic Conference's Northern Region Defensive Player of the Year. She averaged 9.7 points per game, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.9 assists, and was All-NWAC second-team.
"Her relentless effort on defense really stands out, but she can also be an effective offensive threat and brings a very high ceiling for improvement,'' McCarthy said in a press release. "Just as importantly, she has proven to be a winner on the court, with her team going 48-11 in her two seasons.''
UAA this past season led Division II in steals for the third straight season and went 38-3, setting a Division II record for single-season victories.
Laster is McCarthy's third recruit for next season. The Seawolves previously signed Utah high school guard Kaitlyn Roy and Seattle high school guard Kimijah King.