Pioneer Women's basketball announce 2020 recruiting class
Platteville, Wis.- Head coach Kelly McNiff and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women’s basketball team proudly announce the addition of 11 student-athletes to the program. This is McNiff’s first recruiting class as she enters her second season at UW-Platteville after being named head coach in August of 2019. “Once our staff was hired last August, we made it our goal to bring in student-athletes that will make us a deeper, more competitive basketball program,” McNiff said.
Platteville, Wis.- Head coach Kelly McNiff and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team proudly announce the addition of 11 student-athletes to the program. This is McNiff's first recruiting class as she enters her second season at UW-Platteville after being named head coach in August of 2019.
"Once our staff was hired last August, we made it our goal to bring in student-athletes that will make us a deeper, more competitive basketball program," McNiff said. "Now looking at how this first recruiting class has shaped up, I am really proud of my staff and excited about the players we have joining the UW-Platteville community. I love the mix of strength, athleticism, and versatility included in this group. I believe we have brought in a class of young women who work just as hard in the classroom as on the basketball court. As a staff, we are working to build something extremely special with the UW-Platteville program and I am grateful these players want to be part of that!"
McNiff and the Pioneers are coming off a season where they defeated two top 25 teams and earned a top 25 ranking for the first time in school history.
The following student-athletes will join the Pioneer program this fall.
Addison "Addie" Baierl
Position: Forward/Guard
Hometown: Marshfield, Wisconsin
High School: Columbus Catholic
AAU Program: Team Wisconsin
Baierl was a 2019-20 All-State selection, a three-time All-Conference selection and twice lead her team in scoring and rebounding. Baierl averaged 18.7 points per a game as a senior and finished with 845 career points, 328 rebounds and 187 assists. "Athletically, I was immediately interested in the women's basketball program and the direction it is heading," Baierl said. "I am excited to be a part of the Platteville community!"
Coach McNiff on Baierl: "Every team needs a 'lunch pail kid' and Addie is just that. She'll dive on the floor, take charges and fight for every rebound. Offensively, she can get to the rim or hit the three. I look forward to Addie getting healthy and getting back on the floor in blue and orange!
Columbus Catholic head coach Ron Wilczek on Baierl: "Addison is very passionate about basketball and has worked hard to become a college basketball player. She is a solid and versatile player but an even better person. Addison has made significant contributions to our basketball program on and off the court and I am confident she'll do the same at UW-Platteville."
Madalyn "Maddy" Bohn
Position: Power Forward
Hometown: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
High School: Wisconsin Rapids Assumption
AAU Program: Wisconsin Playmakers
Bohn was a two-time unanimous first team All-Conference selection and a 2020 honorable mention All-State selection. Bohn was Assumption's leading scorer and rebounder for three consecutive years, finishing her career with 1,023 points, 525 rebounds and 100 steals. "The first time I met the team they were very welcoming and I felt like I fit in right away," Bohn said. There is no doubt in my mind UW-Platteville is the right fit for me."
Coach McNiff on Bohn: "Maddy has good hands and great footwork. She is smooth with her back to the basket, but also has the ability to face up and hit midrange shots. Maddy is a great addition to our program!"
Assumption High School head coach Ryan Klein on Bohn: "Maddy is an extremely versatile player on both ends of the floor. She has great length and is strong inside and out. Maddy has improved her scoring average every year despite a constant barrage of defenses geared to stop her. Coming off of an ACL tear that cut her senior year short, Maddy has put a great deal of work in to getting back to form. Her competitive nature leads to continued improvement year after year, and with a thirst for action she is poised to have a great career with UW-Platteville"
Hannah Butler
Position: Guard
Hometown: South Wayne, Wisconsin
High School: Black Hawk
AAU Program: Wisconsin Academy
Butler was the 2019-20 conference player of the year. She was a two-time All-State selection and four-time first team All-Conference selection. Averaged 18.7 points her senior year and scored 1,582 career points, along with 666 career rebounds and 370 steals. "My older sister graduated from UW-Platteville and encouraged me to go," Butler said. "It was important to me to find a good opportunity that was close to home."
Coach McNiff on Butler: "When you are trying to develop a winning attitude, it helps to have players who've been there before. Hannah is bringing more than her basketball skills to our program. Hannah comes from an extremely well coached, successful program. She knows what it takes to win!"
Black Hawk High School head coach Mike Flanagan on Butler: "Hannah is a very talented player who can attack and score effectively with either hand. She has great body control and court vision and is difficult to defend because of her ability to finish at the rim and to knock down perimeter shots. Most importantly, she is a great teammate who plays selflessly and prioritizes her team's goal over her own."
Hannah Erickson
Position: Point Guard
Hometown: Elkader, Iowa
High School: Central Elkader
AAU Program: Martin Brothers
Erickson was a two-time second team All-State selection, a three-time All-Region, three-time All-District and, three-time first Team All-Conference selection. She scored 1,376 career points, had 305 career assists and 249 career steals, all career school records. "I loved every conversation I had with the coaches and players and knew I would fit in with the team," Erickson said. "I am so excited to be a part of the UW-Platteville class of 2020!"
Coach McNiff on Erickson: "Hannah's ability to score at all three levels makes her a dangerous offensive threat. That, paired with the competitiveness and grit she plays with, makes Hannah a very exciting add to our 2020 class!"
Elkader Central head coach Mark Wiley on Erickson: "Hannah's work ethic made her an exceptional basketball player within our program. Her willingness to put in the time of preparation with skills, drills and film made her a great asset to the team. Hannah set countless records at Central because she put the time in when nobody was watching."
Lily Guerra
Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Hometown: Yorkville, Illinois
High School: Yorkville
AAU Program: Illinois Evolution
Guerra was a two-time All-Conference, two-time All-Area and two-time team MVP. She scored 707 career points and finished third in school history with 211 career assists. "The minute I stepped on campus I knew I was home," Guerra said. "After meeting the coaches and players it truly solidified it for me. I'm excited for this next chapter and continuing to meet my future family."
Coach McNiff on Guerra: "I'm really looking forward to adding Lily to our point guard group. Her floor vision and basketball IQ are two of her many great qualities that will make our program better."
Yorkville High School head coach Kim Wensits on Guerra: "Lily is an extremely dedicated player who strives to be the best player she can be as well as the best teammate. She is always looking to lift others around her."
Becca Hoyer
Position: Guard
Hometown: Belmont, Wisconsin
High School: Platteville
AAU Program: Iowa Elite and Wisconsin Elite
Hoyer was a three-time All-Conference honoree, including a first team selection her senior season. Was named to the 2019-20 Telegraph Herald All-Area Team. Team achieved an 87-15 record throughout her career. Finished career with 935 points, 356 rebounds and 214 Steals. "I chose Platteville because it feels like home," Hoyer said. "When I first stepped on campus it was very welcoming. I look forward to helping Pioneer women's basketball make history and I believe in the coaching staff."
Coach McNiff on Hoyer: "Becca is a local kid who comes from a well-coached, successful program. You can see her lateral quickness, speed, athleticism, and toughness in her clips. But I believe her best is yet to come."
Platteville High School head coach Michael Foley on Hoyer: "Becca is an athletic player with a motor that doesn't quit. She is an aggressive, defensive player and has the ability to be a shut-down defender. Becca can play inside and outside and is able to finish at the rim."
Olivia "Liv" Liddicoat
Position: Guard
Hometown: Rewey, Wisconsin
High School: Iowa-Grant
AAU Program: Team Wisconsin
Liddicoat was a 2020 Honorable Mention All-State selection, a three-time first team All-Conference selection and was the team's leading scorer all four years of her career breaking the school's scoring record with 1,634 career points. "Platteville made me feel at home," Liddicoat said. "The community support I saw at games made me want to play on Bo Ryan Court."
McNiff on Liddicoat: "I love Liv's athleticism. She is explosive with and without the ball, she plays with fearlessness and has the potential to be a force for us on both ends of the floor."
Iowa-Grant head coach Dan Liddicoat on Liddicoat: "Olivia has great court awareness and is a very successful offensive and defensive player. It has been said she plays bigger than she is as she rebounds very well. She is unselfish with the ball and humble and just loves to play the game of basketball."
Payton Marvin
Position: Forward
Hometown: Iron Ridge, Wisconsin
High School: Horicon
Marvin was the 2019-20 conference player of the year, All-State and All-Area selection and a two-time first team All-Conference honoree. She set a school record for career three-point shots made with 169. She finished her career with 1,130 points and 436 rebounds. "I chose Platteville because it reminded me of the town I grew up in," Marvin said. "It is one the best for my intended major, and gave me the opportunity to play basketball!"
Coach McNiff on Marvin: "Payton has a great mix of strength and smoothness to her game. Her quick release makes her dangerous from anywhere on the floor!"
Horicon High School head coach John LeBlanc on Marvin: "Payton is one of the most naturally gifted basketball players I have ever coached. Along with her competitive drive and leadership on the floor, there is no doubt in my mind Payton will have a successful career at UW-Platteville."
Sarah Mueller
Position: Forward
Hometown: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
High School: Stevens Point Pacelli
AAU Program: Wisconsin Blizzard
Mueller was the 2019-20 conference player of the year, honorable mention All-State and a three-time unanimous first team All-Conference selection. Finished career with 1,409 points, 750 rebounds and 115 blocks. "I chose UW-Platteville because I know it is going to offer me the best experience possible," Mueller said. "Not only athletically but also academically. I cannot wait to be a Pioneer!"
Coach McNiff on Mueller: "I love Sarah's versatility; being able to score back to the basket, drive the hoop or step behind the three-point line makes her a tough matchup for opponents! She is another great addition to our squad!"
Pacelli High School head coach Jake Jalling on Mueller: "I can't say enough as for what Sarah did for our program. Sarah and I arrived at Pacelli at the same time and the program was STRUGGLING, but she stepped in as a freshman and was a leader from the jump. The accolades really rolled in for her this past year, and I was so happy for her! She is so well respected by her teammates, teachers, coaches and community."
Sydney Vogel
Position: Guard
Hometown: Cleveland, Wisconsin
High School: Sheboygan North
AAU Program: Wisconsin Legends
Vogel she was a two-time All-Conference selection and two-time team MVP. Finished third in the school's record book with 211 career assists to go with 707 career points and 141 career steals. "They just have a really good program to start with," Vogel said. "I decided I wanted to try and play for Platteville, so then once I did find out that could become a reality, I kind of just thought to myself, 'Syd you have to do this'."
Coach McNiff on Vogel: "Sydney is fundamentally strong and has great length and athleticism. I see her potentially becoming a shutdown defender for us!"
Sheboygan North High School head coach Keith Conway on Vogel: "Sydney has a great combination of athleticism, basketball IQ, drive to improve and love of the game! These attributes made it easy to enjoy coaching Syd the last three years, and reasons she will be missed. The Pioneers are gaining a defensive warrior, a player that wants to battle with the other team's best on every possession. This type of competitiveness is infectious and fun to watch, I can't wait to see it at the college level!"
Danyelle Waldera
Position: Guard
Hometown: Taylor, Wisconsin
High School: Blair-Taylor
AAU Program: Wisconsin Playmakers
Waldera will join the Pioneer program after spending a season at Ripon College. Walkdera was a three-time 1st team All-Conference selection, three-time team MVP and leading scorer and was selected to the 2019 WBCA D5 All-Star game. Waldera set the school record in career points (1,414) and career steals (387). She pulled down 699 career rebounds and had 230 career assists. "I chose Platteville because of the great education programs and job placement after college," Waldera said. "The players and coaching staff in the women's basketball program have been very inviting."
Coach McNiff on Waldera: "With a year of college basketball under her belt, Danyelle is bringing experience of what it takes to play at this level. She definitely has the tools to make our program better!"
Blair-Taylor High School head coach Duane Waldera on Waldera: "Danyelle is a very versatile player that is able to play multiple positions or roles on the team. Danyelle can hit the three-point shot, is able to drive and finish at the rim and is a very good defender. Danyelle can run the point guard position or play a small post position if needed. Danyelle plays the game much larger than her physical size. She is a good teammate and well-rounded basketball player."