New York Gauchos Collegiate Women - NY/NJ

Yuliya Serebryanskaya
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
High School: Abraham Lincoln
Height: 6-3
Position: Center
Birthdate: 12/13/1985

AT ABRAHAM LINCOLN: Played four years of varsity basketball at Abraham Lincoln High School...Averaged 11.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots as a senior (2003-04)...Registered a career-high 35 points and 29 rebounds in a single game during her senior season...Led Abraham Lincoln to the City Semifinals in 2004.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Olga Soboleywa...Born December 13, 1985...Has one younger sister, Sasha...Lived in Ukraine until the age of 11...Planned major of study is undecided.

Niki Avery
# 3
Guard - G
Height: 5-4
Freshman
Experience: High School
Previous Affiliations
John F. Kennedy HS
Manhattan, N.Y.

Release: 10/01/2004
High School: Attended John F. Kennedy HS her senior year after playing at St. Raymond's Academy her sophomore and junior seasons ... played for coach O'Neal Glenn at JFK ... named Bronx Player of the Year and second-team all-city as a senior after averaging 17 points, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 rebounds per game ... also set a school record with five three-pointers made per game ... had a career-high 36 points, including eight three-point field goals, against Roosevelt ... won the city’s three-point shootout, which was held at Madison Square Garden ... was 7-of-12 in the finals during the 30-second period ... following her senior season, she was selected to play in the Senior Exceptional Game and the Senior City Game ... at the Senior City Game, she was named MVP and earned the top assist award ... As a junior, she averaged 25 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds per game ... named team MVP as well ... averaged 15.0 points per game as a sophomore ... team captain her sophomore and junior seasons ... played AAU ball for the Inner City Stingers (three years), the New Heights Warriors (one year), the Gauchos (one summer) and the Riverside Hawks (one summer) ... was also recruited by Ohio State, Cincinnati, Lafayette and Wofford.

Personal: Full name is Niki Venus Avery ... born on Jan. 21, 1986 in New York ... daughter of Floyd and Georgia Avery ... has one brother (Virgil, 20).

Krystal Coke
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
High School: Poly Prep Country Day

College: 2003-04: Played in all 27 games, starting in 20 of them. Finished the season as the second leading rebounder with an average of 4.6 rebounds per game, 125 total boards. Averaged six points-per-game in her freshman year. Finished her freshman campaign as the leading shot blocker for the Blue Devils with 16 blocks. Also finished last year second on the team in field goal percentage hitting 44% of her shots (68-154). Scored in double figures in five games and led the team in scoring in two of those games. Scored a career-high 14 points on two occassions, against Mount St. Mary's on January 8, 2004 and again 11 days later against Wagner. Led the team in rebounding in four games. Recorded double digit rebounds twice as a freshman with 10 against Mercer in the season opener on November 21, 2003 and against Monmouth on January 22, 2004. Recorded 27 of her 37 steals in conference play and averaged 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in the 18 conference games.

Before Central: Played four years of varsity basketball, four years of field hockey and ran four years of track at Poly Prep Country Day School. Named Most Valuable on the basketball and field hockey teams. Reached the 1,000-point plateau in her senior season. Named First Team All-State, All-Ivy League and All-City. Named Student Athlete of the Year as a freshman and sophomore.

Bellva May
G
5-9
Jr.
Orange, N.J.
2003-04 (Junior)
Missed the entire season recovering from preseason knee surgery.
Talented and athletic offensive player who owns an excellent jumpshot.

Junior College
Named first team all-region and to the region all-tournament team after averaging 15.8 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds at Louisburg College playing for Michael Hollman ... named Most Outstanding Offensive Player on the Lady Canes after leading them to a 25-5 record and eighth-place finish at the NJCAA National Championships ... top 40 JUCO player according to All-Star Girls Report.

High School
Named first team all-state and honorable mention all-American as a senior at Orange High School playing for Pia Frazier ... led Tornadoes to a state championship, two sectional championships and four conference titles ... named conference co-player of the year as a junior and senior at Orange High ... all-county three times and second team all-state as a junior ... scored 2,090 points in her career.

Personal
Born December 17, 1981 ... daughter of the late Valeria May Parker ... raised by grandmother Eugina May ... has two older brothers, Omar and Jermaine, and two older sisters, Laika and Niameeah ... majoring in criminal justice ... Bearcat Scholar (GPA > 3.0) during fall quarter.

Jessica Simmonds
Class: Senior
Hometown: South Orange, NJ
High School: Columbia
Height: 6-2
Position: Forward/Center
Birthdate: 12/21/1983

Junior Year: Did not appear in any games in 2003-04 due to NCAA transfer regulations.

Sophomore Year (at Providence): Saw playing time in 26 games, starting 22 in 2002-03 ... Ranked second on the team in scoring (9.7 ppg), first in rebounds (6.2 rpg), and first in steals (1.5 spg) ... Finished 12th in the Big East in rebounding.

Freshman Year (at Providence): Appeared in 26 games, starting 20 in 2001-02 ... Ranked second on the club in scoring (8.4 ppg), first in rebounds (6.5), blocks (1.4 bpg) and steals (1.4 spg) ... Scored a season-high 19 points, pulled down seven rebounds and dished out two assists in a 91-77 victory versus Pittsburgh ... Named to the Big East All-Rookie Team.

High School: Played two seasons at The Chad Science Academy before transferring to Columbia High School for her final two seasons ... Named to the All-State Group IV Second Team ... Also selected as the area's Player of the Year and was named to the all-area team ... Holds the Columbia school records for points (1,287), rebounds (1,023) and blocks (342).

Personal: Jessica Reta Simmonds ... Born December 21, 1983 in Newark, NJ ... Daughter of Reta and Sterling Simmonds ... Five brothers, Duval, Dale, Paul, Seymour, Calvin, and two sisters, Ama and Erica ... Majoring in business administration.

Vanessa Gidden
#43 Vanessa Gidden
6-3, Sophomore
Center
Stamford, Connecticut
High School: Stamford
High School Coach: Curtis Tinnin

AT HOFSTRA
2003-04: Played in 27 games, starting five…Averaged 4.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game…Tied for team lead in blocks (20)…Ranked fourth on the team in rebounds…Scored 10 points in just 12 minutes of action at William & Mary…Scored 10 points versus Drexel…Had 13 rebounds (10 offensive) at Delaware…Grabbed 13 boards at James Madison…Grabbed 11 rebounds versus Pepperdine…Scored nine points and grabbed nine rebounds versus UNC Wilmington…Tallied four blocked shots at James Madison…Blocked three shots at Old Dominion…Averaged 5.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in conference games…Averaged 14.7 minutes per game.

HIGH SCHOOL/PERSONAL
Played basketball at Stamford High School in Stamford, Connecticut…Second team All-Southern Connecticut Athletic Conference selection as a senior after averaging 15 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks for the 12-9 Lady Knights…Team Most Valuable Player as a senior and junior…All-Southern Connecticut Athletic Conference selection as a junior…Averaged 13 points and 12 rebounds as a junior…Is the first player in Curtis Tinnin’s 12 year tenure as head coach at Stamford to receive a Division I basketball scholarship…Born July 1, 1985 in Montego Bay, Jamaica…Moved to America at age 10…Has two brothers and one sister…Undecided major.

Career Highs:
PTS: 10, twice, most recently vs. Drexel, 1-29-04
REBS: 13, twice, most recently at James Madison, 1-25-04
ASTS: 1, several times, most recently vs. James Madison, 2-29-04
FGM: 5 vs. Drexel, 1-29-04
FGA: 9 at James Madison, 1-25-04
3FGM: None
3FGA: None
FTM: 5, twice, most recently vs. Delaware, 2-15-04
FTA: 9 at George Mason, 2-1-04
OR: 10 at Delaware, 1-15-04
DR: 6 vs. Pepperdine, 12-29-03
TO: 5 at James Madison, 1-25-04
BS: 4 at James Madison, 1-25-04
ST: 2 vs. UNC Wilmington, 1-9-04
MIN: 32 at Delaware, 1-15-04

1) Why did you choose to come to Hofstra University?
I chose to come to Hofstra because I saw the opportunity to be a part of something special.

2) What kind of legacy do you wish to leave behind at Hofstra University?
I want to be remembered for my hard work and strong dedication

3) Your greatest sports memory is?
My greatest sports memory will have to be our victory over Old Dominion last season.

4) What career do you hope to have when your basketball career is over? Why?
When my college career is over, I would like to play professional basketball. I also want to manage my own business.

5) What advice would you give to a younger player just learning the game?
My advice to a younger player would be never say I can’t because if you think that you can’t, then you will never be able to do it. Also always be open to constructive criticism and use it to make yourself better. Lastly, never settle for just being average – always strive to be the best at anything you do.

6) What player did you pretend to be growing up? Why?
When I started playing I pretended to be Shaq because I admire his dominant force in the paint. Nevertheless, despite the fact that I am 6-4, I sometimes “try” to be like Allen Iverson, since he is still my favorite basketball player.

7) Finish these sentences:
I HAVE love for the game.
I WANT to get better at the game.
I WILL be the best that I can be.
I CAN make it to the WNBA.
I LOVE my family.

Whitney Hollis
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
High School: Canarsie High
Height: 6-2
Position: Center
Birthdate: 04/06/1986

Coach Garrick Says:
"Whitney is going to be a cornerstone in the women's basketball program for four years. Originally we though that she was going to be a player who developed further along in her career, but she is looking like she will be able to make a quick transition to the college game."

High School:
Graduated from Canarsie High in 2004 ... three-year starter for coach Michelle Goodman ... averaged 13 points, 18 rebounds and two assists per game as a junior, earning first-team All-Brooklyn honors from Newsday and the New York Daily News ... averaged 12 points, 17 rebounds and two assists per game as a senior, earning second-team All-Brooklyn honors ... team captain and was named Canarsie's team MVP as a senior in 2003-04 ... was MVP of Thanksgiving Genesis Tournament in 2002 ... played AAU basketball for the New York Gauchos with current Rhode Island freshman Mia Marcus under coaches Walter Welsch and Earl Elliott ... also played softball for coach Mike Camaderse ... honor roll student who graduated in the top 10-percent of her class.

Personal:
Whitney Nichole Hollis was born on April 6, 1986 ... daughter of Michael and Lori Hollis of Brooklyn, N.Y. ... has four brothers, Quentin, Matthew, Devin and Jordan ... undeclared major ... volunteered with the Salvation Army After School Community Center and has worked as a peer leadership counselor.

Mia Marcus
Class: Freshman
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
High School: St. Michael Academy
Height: 5-8
Position: Guard
Birthdate: 09/27/1986

Coach Garrick Says:
"Mia is one of the more talented recruits to come into the Rhode Island women's basketball program in several years. She is a typical New York City guard in that she is tough and confidant. We expect her to step in and give us quality minutes right away."

High School:
Graduated from St. Michael Academy in 2004 ... a two-year starter under coach Apache Paschall at St. Michael after transferring from Bishop Louglin High, where she spent her freshman and sophomore years ... averaged 18.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a senior, helping St. Michael Academy to the Manhattan Division title and earning honorable mention all-city by the New York Daily News ... was named team MVP in both her junior and senior year ... captained the team in her senior year ... played AAU basketball with current Rhode Island freshman Whitney Hollis for the New York Gauchos Excel team under coaches Walter Welsh and Earl Elliot ... was an honor roll student in her senior year.

Personal:
Mia Monee Marcus was born on Sept. 27, 1986 in New York, N.Y. ... daughter of Marian Marcus of New York, N.Y. ... undeclared major.

Ayanna Phillip
6-2
F
S. Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's

After redshirting in 2002-03, started slow last season but peaked at the right time, eventually earning a spot in the starting lineup during the WNIT... Improved her strength during the offseason and should be one of the leaders of Seton Hall’s post group.
In 2003-04:

Played in 23 games, making two starts against George Mason and Saint Joseph’s in the WNIT... Averaged 2.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game... Moved into 13th-place on the Seton Hall all-time list with 60 career blocks... Registered five points and five rebounds against Charlotte in the championship game of the Seton Hall Basketball Classic presented by Aeropostale... Tallied a career-high 11 points along with five rebounds off the bench at Providence... Posted eight points against Syracuse... Recorded seven points and five rebounds against Villanova... Notched five points and a season-high seven rebounds against George Mason.

In 2002-03:
Redshirted, sitting out the season for personal reasons.

In 2001-02:
Played in 26 games, starting eight... Averaged 3.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game... Had 28 blocks, second on the team... Posted a season-high nine points along with 10 rebounds vs. West Virginia... Had eight points and six boards against Rutgers... Notched seven points and five rebounds against Notre Dame... Also tallied seven points at Georgetown... Registered six points and five boards against George Mason... Had a career-best 11 rebounds along with six points against Sacramento State.

In 2000-01:
Played in 25 games, averaging 2.1 points and 1.7 rebounds... Second on team in blocks with 22 despite playing only 9.7 minutes per game... Registered five points, six rebounds and two blocks vs. Loyola... Recorded a season-high six points at Towson along with five rebounds and three blocks... Tallied five rebounds and two blocks against Mount St. Mary’s... Chipped in five points and two blocks vs. Syracuse... Posted a six-point, five-rebound effort vs. Notre Dame... Notched five points and three boards at Syracuse... Scored six points and pulled down six rebounds at Rutgers.

High School/Personal:
Finished her high school career with 1,374 points and 1,027 rebounds... As a senior, averaged 15.1 points and 10.0 rebounds in leading St. Peter’s to a 22-6 record... Led St. Peter’s to four straight Staten Island championships and Archdiocesan championships... A three-time Staten Island Advance All-Star... Had 10 blocks in finals of CHSAA city championship game vs. Christ the King... Named MVP of the Jacques Game (Staten Island All-Stars)... Also ran track for two years and was borough champion in the long jump and as a member of the 4x100 meter relay team... Member of National Honor Society... Majoring in advertising art... Born March 8, 1982.

Danielle Chambers
High School: Bishop Loughlin
Last College: George Mason
Height: 6-0
Position: F

2003-04: Sat out the first eight games of the season to fulfill transfer requirements...She appeared in 20 games, providing much needed help off the bench...Averaged 8.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game... Second in the team, shooting 41.3 percent (59-for 143) from the field...Posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. Dayton...Followed up with 10 rebounds and eight points vs. Miami...Scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds vs. Cornell...Grabbed nine rebounds at Syracuse...Posted her second double-double of the season with season-highs in points (19) and rebounds (13), also added three steals...Scored 12 points and pulled down five rebounds vs. Pittsburgh...Led team with eight rebounds at Seton Hall...Had 11 points and two steals off the bench at Connecticut....Had 10 points and 7 rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench against Villanova...Scored 12 points and grabbed nine boards while adding a season-high two blocks vs Providence... Matched a career/season-high with 13 rebounds against Miami...Scored ten points and grabbed six rebounds against Villanova...Posted ten points and added four assists and two steals vs Boston College...Tallied eigth points and added seven rebounds against Seton Hall...Scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds against Virginia Tech.

Before St. John's: Averaged 2.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 31 games as a freshman at George Mason...Had a season-high 12 points, shooting 5-for-8 from the field at William and Mary (1/11/02)...Grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds and scored seven points at home versus William and Mary (2/10/02)...Shot 44.9% (35-for-78) from the field...Amassed over 1,000 points in her career at Bishop LoughlinHigh School...A NY Daily News All-Star her senior year...Averaged 17 points, 14 rebounds and four steals per game as a senior...Was an honor roll student...Played AAU ball with the New York Gauchos.

Adeola Olanrewaju No: 22
Position: C
Height: 6-3
Weight:
Year: SR
Hometown/High School Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Laughlin/N.C. State

2004-05 Outlook: The expectations for Olanrewaju this season are not limited to her play on the court. She can help Xavier if she increases both her offensive output and defensive presence, but her leadership ability may be her most valuable contribution to the Musketeers in the coming year.

As a Junior in 2003-04: After transferring into Xavier from N.C. State at the beginning of the 2003 spring semester, Olanrewaju did not become eligible until mid-year when the 2003 fall semester ended • In her first game as a Musketeer, she had 11 points and 10 rebounds at Michigan on Dec. 21 • Pulled down a career high 14 rebounds against La Salle at Cintas Center on Feb. 6 • Had 11 rebounds at Massachusetts and La Salle • Had at least six rebounds in 13 of her 22 games played • Second on Xavier with an average of 6.4 rebounds per game • Her rebounding average would be good for 11th in the Atlantic 10 rankings, but she did not played enough games to qualify for the rankings • Pulled down more than half of her total rebounds (71 of 140) off the offensive glass • Averaged 3.2 offensive rebounds per game, which would tie her with teammate Tara Boothe for second in the Atlantic 10 • Had her second double-double of the year when she scored 14 points to go with her 14 rebounds against La Salle • Scored in double figures 10 times, including in five of the final eight games of the regular season • Scored a season high 16 points twice, against Richmond on Jan. 5 and against Fordham on Jan. 18 • Hit at least three field goals in 14 games • Hit at least 60 percent of her shots (min. 5 atts) in seven games • For the season, shot 49.7 percent from the field • Hit a three pointer against Temple on Feb. 8 • Hit all four free throws she took in three games (Richmond, La Salle and Dayton), and all three on three other occasions • Had a season high three steals against St. Francis (Pa.) • Recorded two steals in five other games • Dished out three assists in three games (Richmond, Temple and at George Washington).

Postseason: Grabbed 10 rebounds against Fordham in the Atlantic 10 Tournament First Round • Shot better than 50 percent in all three postseason games • Tallied 11 points against Miami (Ohio) in WNIT First Round • Was perfect on three free throw attempts against the RedHawks • Stole the ball twice against Miami • Recorded one assist in each postseason game.

Before Xavier: Played in 65 games at N.C. State, starting in four contests • Scored a career high of 16 points against Duke on Feb. 18, 2001 • Grabbed career high 12 rebounds against Arizona State on Nov. 26, 2000 • One career double-double, a 16 point, 10 rebound game against No. 4 Duke as a freshman • Was third on team in rebounding as a freshman and sophomore • One-time ACC Rookie of the Week • At Bishop Loughlin, she was named to Street & Smith’s All-City Team and an Honorable Mention All-American twice • USA Today Honorable Mention All-American • All Star Girls Report named her the eighth best post player in the nation • The Blue Star Recruiting Index rated her the 44th best player in the nation • Holds BLHS game records for points (35) and rebounds (23) • 1999 Deep South Classic MVP.

Personal: Parents Olabode and Anthonia • A Communications major • Born Jan. 12, 1982 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Betty Mendieta
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: North Bergen, N.J.
High School: North Bergen
Height: 5-7
Position: G

2003-04: Made 25 starts in 31 appearances...team leader in steals (67) and second in assists (63)...averaged 6.6 points and 2.7 rebounds per game...had six games in double figures...named NYCAC Rookie of the Week (2/16) after a career-high 18 points and a school single-game record of 11 steals versus Mercy (2/11).

At North Bergen High School: Lettered in basketball, track, cross-country and volleyball...team captain and MVP as a junior and senior... led team to its first ever State Sectional Final...finished her career as the school's second all-time leading scorer with 1,270 points...became the first female in school history to go to the North/South All-Star game... first-team all-county and second team all-state-Group 4...in track a four-time all-county selection in the javelin...member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honors Club.

Personal: Daughter of Felix and Betty R. Medieta...born August 16, 1985...majoring in physical education...athletes she most admires are Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd and Venus and Serena Williams...enjoys dancing, reading, poetry and hanging out with friends...a three-year member of the NYC Gauchos.

Mayowa Onikute
5-7, Combo Guard
Park West High School (Queens, NY)
Career High School stats
- 16.1 points
- 7 rebounds
- 4 assists

Mayowa Onikute is one of the most recent basketball players to sign a letter of intent to play basketball for the Barton County Community College women’s basketball team next season. Onikute comes to Barton from Queens, NY where she was a star prep player in the New York City area. She is the 4th out of state player to ink with new coach Lane Lord and the 10th overall signee in the 2004-05 recruiting class.

Onikute put up some good numbers from her combo guard spot at Park West High School in Queens. The 5-7 Onikute averaged 16.1 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists during her career with Park West. She has played all 3 guard spots.

Coach Lane Lord comments
Mayowa, a left-handed scorer, has exceptional ball handling skills as well as court awareness. She can play any of the three guard positions which makes her a versatile threat for the Cougars. Mayowa can slash to the basket, hit the pull up jumper, or run the point guard position. She will provide an immediate impact for the Cougars.

is a 5'7 combo guard from Queens, New York. Mayowa played at Park West High School in New York - averaging for her high school career, 16.1 points per game; 7 rebounds per game; and 4 assist per game.

MATEE AJAVON
POS: G
HT: 5-8
CLASS: Fr.
HS: Malcolm X Shabazz
HMTN: Newark, NJ

Prior to Rutgers: Played in the 2004 McDonald’s and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America Games with fellow Rutgers recruit Essence Carson ... Named to the Parade All-America Second Team and the USA Today Super 25 All-America Team ... Was invited to the 2004 USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Trials ... Led her Malcolm X Shabazz High School team to back-to-back New Jersey Tournament of Champions titles (2003, 2004), the first girls team in state history to accomplish the feat ... Shabazz went 31-1 in 2004, winning the North 2, Group 3 title, was the top-ranked team in the Star Ledger Top 20 Poll and was 10th in the final USA Today Top 25 Poll ... Shabazz defeated Carson’s team, Eastside High School, for the 2004 state title ... Averaged 12 points, four rebounds, eight assists, two blocked shots and four steals per game as a senior, earning Essex County Player-of-the-Year honors ... Was a three-time Associated Press all-state pick ... Named a third-team All-American by Street & Smith’s as a junior, averaging 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game ... Scored 26 points and added four assists and three steals to lead Shabazz to the 2003 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title, the first state title for a boys’ or girls’ team from Newark ... Was named the 2003 T of C Most Valuable Player, as well as the MSG Tri-State Player of the Year ... A USA Today Sophomore All-American, she played on the 2003 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival East Team that won a gold medal ... Ranked as the 12th-best prospect nationally by the All Star Girls Report and 20th by Blue Star, she was an honorable-mention Street & Smith’s All-American in 2001 and 2002 ... At the adidas Top Ten All-America Camp, she was the co-Most Valuable Player of the 2002 Underclassmen Game and was named to the Super Six of the 2003 Senior All-Star Game ... Played club ball with the New York Gauchos ... Mother is Patience Wilson ... Is the third of four children ... Is enrolled at Rutgers College.

Ashley Embry
Position: Forward
Year: Sophomore
Hometown High School: Hempstead, NY Hempstead
Height: 5'9 Weight