Last updated on January 18, 2023
By: Thomas Matchell
The Volunteer State women’s basketball team is looking a lot different this year since they added seven players. Volunteer State women’s basketball started their season with a record of (2-3). Last season, their first win wasn’t until Nov 29. when they beat University of Tennessee Southern 64-47.
The Lady Pioneers have two wins secured and have shown a great amount of improvement after defeating Gadsden State Community College (86-71) and Motlow State Community College (59-36).
Player showcase:
Maidra Treece #00:
Maidra Treece is a sophomore player at Volunteer State Community College and went to high school at Eagleville High School.
Last season, she played only six games and averaged 1.5 points per game.
Her best skill last season was rebounding, she averaged just over five blocks per game.
Treece has yet to play a game for the 2022-23 season.
Monica Peralta #1:
As one of the new players at Vol State, Monica Peralta comes from Siegel High School in Murfreesboro, TN.
In her debut game, she scored six points, gained six assists, grabbed three rebounds, and successfully stole the ball three times.
Peralta so far this season has played four games; starting three of them.
She looks to become a big part for winning future games for the Lady Pioneers, and a great recruitment by coach Key.
Kayla Northrup #2:
Another freshmen recruit, Kayla Northrup, is a guard from Independence High School.
Northrup has averaged 5.8 points per game in her four first starts. She went 1-10 on field goals in her debut.
“I was just off that night so now I know I need to not put so much pressure on myself and just play the game that I know how to play and have fun with it cause when I have fun, I do good,” says Northup
She then went on to become one of the key contributors for their first win of the season against Gadsden State Community College. She put up 13 points with a shooting percentage of 33.3 percent and a free-throw percentage of 75 percent.
A lot of potential is to come from Kayla Northrup.
Desiree Cross #3:
Desiree Cross has yet to start a game for the 2022-23 season. The freshman from Bolivar Central High School has played two games for Volunteer State Community College.
Cross played against Northeast Mississippi Community College and Gadsden State Community College.
There is still time for the freshman to make her mark on the court and with time to develop as the season progresses.
Cherokee Upton #4:
Like Cross, Cherokee Upton has not started a game this season. The freshman comes from Clay County High School.
The guard debuted in the season opener against Gadsden State. In that game, Upton was able to knock down two free throws and grabbed herself one rebound in the time that she played.
Ny’Lia Rankins #5:
As one of the few forwards on the team, Ny’Lia Rankins has been phenomenal in her first four starts as a freshman.
Rankins has averaged 7.3 points per game on a 42.9 field goal percentage, 8.5 rebounds per game, and 1.5 steals per game.
In the win against Gadsden State, she put up 12 points, and grabbed 11 rebounds. This gave her the first of many double doubles to come.
Rankins has already proved why she deserves her starting role.
Haley Davis #10:
The third-year player, Haley Davis, is a huge part of this women’s team. Last season, Davis was one of the leading scorers. Davis averaged 10.5 points per game last season in the eight games she started.
She is a third-year player who has started since her first year at Volunteer State Community College.
Davis is an excellent three-point shooter with a percentage of 39.7 percent for her career with Vol State.
Assistant coach, Tony Thompson, talked to her about being recruited to a four-year university, but “I don’t think I plan to go anywhere else; I think I’m just ready to start my life I guess,” says Haley Davis.
Armonie Toliver #14:
The Lady Pioneers have a new set of twins on the team, and one of them is Armonie Toliver. From White House Heritage High School to Volunteer State Community College, the freshman has played four games but has not yet started.
In her first four games off the bench, she has a shooting percentage of 42.9 on seven field goals attempted.
There is still a lot of games left on the season for the guard to prove herself.
Alecea Wilkerson #15:
Astonishing is the perfect word for Alecea Wilkersons amazing start on the season.
The freshman forward is off to an amazing start with a total of 56 points in her first four starts. According to the National Junior College Athletic Association, Wilkerson is ranked 11th for blocks (10), and 3rd for field goal percentage (72.4) of all players attending two-year colleges in the nation. Wilkerson says she makes it a goal to win “Freshman of the Year.”
“I have really gotten close with all the girls, it has brought a lot of friendships,” says Wilkerson on what Vol State basketball means to her.
Audrey White #20:
From Greenbrier High School, Audrey White is another freshman recruit to join the Lady Volunteers.
She has played in three games but has not started in any of them.
Coming off the bench, White has been limited to her playing time with only three shot attempts and no score.
The freshman has time to develop under coach Key’s mentorship, but as of right now there is not much to go off based on the current season.
Snowden Scott #22:
As one of the few sophomores on the team, Snowden Scott has been on the team since the 2020-21 season.
Scott has not played this season due to surgery on her shoulder in the month of June. In the 2021-22 season, Snowden Scott averaged 4.1 points per game, and had a 38.1 three-point percentage. Her expected return date is Nov. 22 but can be sooner depending on her doctor’s approval.
“My goal is to get back on the floor with my teammates, and to push the team even harder. I’m ready to give my all for my teammates after not being able to go up to this point yet. I want to bring out the best in my teammates and of course a team goal is to finish as conference champions and that why we need to push each other every day in and day out,” says forward Scott.
Armariee Toliver #23:
The other twin sister Armariee Toliver has joined her sister in playing her first couple of games of the season for the Lady Pioneers.
Toliver has not started any games and has played a limited amount of time off the bench. So far, she has only put up two shots in the two games she has played.
“I try to work better to help my team be successful, lead my team to win games, and be a good player for the team,” says guard Toliver.
Emma Disney #24:
To secure Vol States’ first win of the season, freshman Emma Disney was an amazing part coming off the bench. In that game, she put up 11 points, four rebounds, and made her only three point shot attempt.
Though Disney has only started one game, she is a very important part of this women’s team by playing her role.
“Having fun is my main goal, all the time,” says Emma Disney.
Makaley Whittle #25:
The transfer from Grossmont Community College, Makaley Whittle, came to Volunteer State Community College for the 2022-23 season.
Whittle didn’t play any games for Grossmont last season and has not yet played a regular season game for the Lady Pioneers.
Makaley Whittle played basketball at Poway High School; a school located in California.
Whittle still looks to make her debut for Vol State.
Savanah Hinkle #32:
From East Robertson High School, Savanah Hinkle is a freshman guard who has not yet played a game for Volunteer State.
Hinkle waits for her debut for the Lady Pioneers.
A’Niya Boone #34:
Sophomore forward, A’Niya Boone has made her Volunteer State debut very noticeable, and noteworthy.
Coming off the bench, in four games Boone has averaged six points per game with a field goal percentage of 69.2 and currently has a perfect three throw percentage of 100.
Boone is another important piece for this team’s offense off the bench and has been very productive doing so in the time that she has been on the court.
The roster is full of talent and has been proved with how well their season has started. The team has proved to fans that this season is no joke and has a serious chance to win it all.
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