Lange Announces Addition of Four New Recruits
May 9, 2018 | Women's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha women's basketball head coach Brittany Lange announced the additions of four student-athletes on Wednesday. The quartet of newcomers will join two previously announced signees on the Mavericks' roster for the 2018-19 season.
The Maverick additions are freshman Sophie Johnston, and junior college transfers Rayanna Carter, Juliana Chagas and Andi Pierce.
"We are excited to announce this recruiting class," said Lange. "Our staff has done a great job finding experienced players that fit our vision and style of play. All four of these student-athletes will inject toughness, work ethic, perimeter skill and pride into our program.
"Our recruiting class consists of diverse experiences from Division I, junior college and international basketball that will help us take the next step as a program. These ladies are excited to be Mavericks and compete at the highest level, and we are thrilled to coach them."
Rayanna Carter
G, 5-7, Cedar Park, Texas (Leander/Blinn College)
Carter, a 5-7 guard from Cedar Park, Texas, comes to Omaha from Blinn College, where she played for coach Jeff Jenkins in 2017-18. Carter earned NJCAA Region XIV Honorable Mention recognition, averaging 9.8 points and 3.0 assists per game.
Carter began her collegiate career at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi in 2016-17, appearing in 10 games in reserve for the Islanders. At Leander High School, Carter was a three-time all-district honoree. She also was named a Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State player and Legacy All-Star.
"Rayanna is a tremendous athlete and true point guard that will be able to help us push the pace," said Lange. "She can lock people down on the defensive end and will be one of the fastest people in our league with the ball."
Juliana Chagas
G, 5-6, Santo Andre, Sao Paulo, Brazil (Colegio Singular/Barton County)
Chagas, a 5-6 guard from Sao Paulo, Brazil, comes to Omaha from Barton County Community College, where she played for coach Alan Clark the past two seasons. Chagas averaged 9.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 2017-18 for the Cougars. She shot 50.4 percent from the field, 64 percent from 3-point range and 76 percent at the free throw line.
"Juliana is a competitor with an infectious personality and a great passion for the game," said Lange. "She is a strong, explosive and quick guard who can create shots for herself and others. Juliana makes others better around her, and we believe her best basketball is still in front of her."
Sophie Johnston
G, 5-10, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (Hillcrest Christian College)
Johnston, a 5-10 guard from Australia, attended Hill Crest Christian College. Johnston played for the Gold Coast Waves under coach Cassie Dover. She averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while serving as team captain.
"Sophie is a high-energy perimeter player who has an aggressive scoring mentality," said Lange. "We love her ability to get to the basket, shoot from the perimeter and attack the boards as a guard. She will bring an enthusiasm and competitiveness to our team that will influence us immediately."
Andi Pierce
G, 5-10, Garber, Okla. (Garber/Western Illinois/Northern Oklahoma College-Enid)
Pierce, a 5-10 guard from Garber, Okla., comes to Omaha from Northern Oklahoma College-Enid, where she played for coach Scott Morris in 2017-18. Pierce earned First Team All-Region honors, averaging 15.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game and led her team to a 25-6 record.
Pierce began her collegiate career at Western Illinois in 2016-17, appearing in 13 games in reserve for the Fighting Leathernecks.
At Garber High School, Pierce averaged 21.7 points per game along with nine rebounds during her senior season. She shot 44 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 87 percent at the line. Pierce was a member of the Oklahoma VYPE Top 100 list.
"Andi has won and excelled everywhere she's been at the high school, Division I, and junior college ranks," said Lange. "She is a relentless worker on both ends of the court. Andi is known for her 3-point shooting skill, but she can score from anywhere on the court. She is a great fit for our style of play and will thrive in our system."
The Maverick additions are freshman Sophie Johnston, and junior college transfers Rayanna Carter, Juliana Chagas and Andi Pierce.
"We are excited to announce this recruiting class," said Lange. "Our staff has done a great job finding experienced players that fit our vision and style of play. All four of these student-athletes will inject toughness, work ethic, perimeter skill and pride into our program.
"Our recruiting class consists of diverse experiences from Division I, junior college and international basketball that will help us take the next step as a program. These ladies are excited to be Mavericks and compete at the highest level, and we are thrilled to coach them."
Rayanna Carter
G, 5-7, Cedar Park, Texas (Leander/Blinn College)
Carter, a 5-7 guard from Cedar Park, Texas, comes to Omaha from Blinn College, where she played for coach Jeff Jenkins in 2017-18. Carter earned NJCAA Region XIV Honorable Mention recognition, averaging 9.8 points and 3.0 assists per game.
Carter began her collegiate career at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi in 2016-17, appearing in 10 games in reserve for the Islanders. At Leander High School, Carter was a three-time all-district honoree. She also was named a Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State player and Legacy All-Star.
"Rayanna is a tremendous athlete and true point guard that will be able to help us push the pace," said Lange. "She can lock people down on the defensive end and will be one of the fastest people in our league with the ball."
Juliana Chagas
G, 5-6, Santo Andre, Sao Paulo, Brazil (Colegio Singular/Barton County)
Chagas, a 5-6 guard from Sao Paulo, Brazil, comes to Omaha from Barton County Community College, where she played for coach Alan Clark the past two seasons. Chagas averaged 9.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 2017-18 for the Cougars. She shot 50.4 percent from the field, 64 percent from 3-point range and 76 percent at the free throw line.
"Juliana is a competitor with an infectious personality and a great passion for the game," said Lange. "She is a strong, explosive and quick guard who can create shots for herself and others. Juliana makes others better around her, and we believe her best basketball is still in front of her."
Sophie Johnston
G, 5-10, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (Hillcrest Christian College)
Johnston, a 5-10 guard from Australia, attended Hill Crest Christian College. Johnston played for the Gold Coast Waves under coach Cassie Dover. She averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while serving as team captain.
"Sophie is a high-energy perimeter player who has an aggressive scoring mentality," said Lange. "We love her ability to get to the basket, shoot from the perimeter and attack the boards as a guard. She will bring an enthusiasm and competitiveness to our team that will influence us immediately."
Andi Pierce
G, 5-10, Garber, Okla. (Garber/Western Illinois/Northern Oklahoma College-Enid)
Pierce, a 5-10 guard from Garber, Okla., comes to Omaha from Northern Oklahoma College-Enid, where she played for coach Scott Morris in 2017-18. Pierce earned First Team All-Region honors, averaging 15.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game and led her team to a 25-6 record.
Pierce began her collegiate career at Western Illinois in 2016-17, appearing in 13 games in reserve for the Fighting Leathernecks.
At Garber High School, Pierce averaged 21.7 points per game along with nine rebounds during her senior season. She shot 44 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 87 percent at the line. Pierce was a member of the Oklahoma VYPE Top 100 list.
"Andi has won and excelled everywhere she's been at the high school, Division I, and junior college ranks," said Lange. "She is a relentless worker on both ends of the court. Andi is known for her 3-point shooting skill, but she can score from anywhere on the court. She is a great fit for our style of play and will thrive in our system."
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
