SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana women's basketball coach
Nate Vogel announced the addition of five student athletes to the Viking roster, as
Ella Bockenstedt,
Mia Donald,
Maliyah Elliott,
Miranda Lomax and
Ava Pautz are all set to join next season.
Coach Vogel on the group: "We're excited to add these transfers to our roster along with the local high school kids we already have signed. These transfers will be able to come and contribute immediately as they have already put up great numbers with their previous programs."
Ella Bockenstedt | Forward | Marion, Iowa | Marion High School | William Jewell
Coach Vogel on Bockenstedt: "Ella was a starter as a freshman last year so you know she can play. At 6'1, she adds a ton of versatility to our program. She shoots the 3 at an extremely high percentage and can also put her back to the basket and score inside. Ella will be a mismatch nightmare for opposing teams next year."
Previous School: After medical redshirting in 2023-24, Bockenstedt appeared in 22 games with 16 starts for the Cardinals. She averaged 18 minutes a game and was second on the team with 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 35% from three and blocked more than one shot a game
High School: Bockenstedt was a four-year starter and letterwinner with captain honors her senior season at Marion High School. She collected First Team All-WaMac East Division (unanimous selection), First Team All-Metro, First Team All-Region and Third Team All-State recognitions
Personal: Ella is the daughter of Wendy and Travis Bockenstedt and plans to major in Psychology while at Augustana
Mia Donald | Forward/Center | North Olmstead, Ohio | North Olmstead High School | Wheeling
Coach Vogel on Donald: "Mia had a start as a freshman and we think she's really going to come into her own as a sophomore. She brings great physicality and athleticism to our front court. She's an extremely hard worker and will add a great deal of toughness to our program."
Previous School: Donald appeared in 13 games for the Cardinals with one start, averaging 2.1 points and 1.3 rebounds, and qualified for the MEC Tournament
High School: Was a two-year starter and letterwinner for Eagles, accruing First Team GLC honors as a junior. Donald collected Player of the Year and Center of the Year accolades alongside her Northeast Ohio District Honorable Mention and First Team GLC recognitions. She also broke the school record for blocks in a season with 57
Personal: Mia is the daughter of Pia Donald and intends to earn her degree in Nursing with a minor in Chemistry while at Augustana
Maliyah Elliott | Guard | Auburn, Wash. | Auburn Mountainview High School | Snow College
Coach Vogel on Elliott: "Maliyah is a dynamic guard who can score a lot of different ways. She's very hard to guard with her explosive quickness and ability to shoot the 3 at a high percentage. She will also create a lot of problems for the opposing team with her ability to guard. She's very disruptive on the defensive side of the ball."
Previous School: Elliott played two seasons with the Snow Badgers, appearing in 59 games with 36 starts. She saw an average of 23.4 minutes of action and accrued 463 points and 198 rebounds off a .402 shooting percentage while also earning Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors
High School: Elliott is a four-year letterwinner, three-year starter and two-year captain for the Lions. She earned NPSL League MVP and team MVP honors while collecting NPSL First Team All-Defense accolades
Personal: Maliyah is the daughter of Joseph Elliott and Tari Free and plans to earn her degree in Sport Management at Augustana
Miranda Lomax | Guard | Cathlamet, Wash. | R.A. Long High School | Concordia University Irvine
Coach Vogel on Lomax: "Miranda can play multiple guard spots and will add versatility to our backcourt. She handles the ball well. She will help us stretch the floor as she shoots a high percentage from 3. She had multiple games this past year scoring over 20 points so we're excited to add her scoring ability."
Previous School: Played two seasons as Concordia University Irvine with 25 appearances. Averaged a .380 shooting percentage while shooting .296 from beyond the arc. Also played a season at Alaska Fairbanks, appearing in 26 games with 15 starts and averaging 9.9 points and 2.6 rebound a game
High School: Lomax was a four-year letterwinner and starter and a three-year team captain for the Lumberjacks. She collected three First Team All-League honors in her career and thrice earned Team MVP while eclipsing 1,000 points her senior season
Personal: Miranda is the daughter of Amy and Tory Lomax and aims to complete an MBA degree at Augustana
Ava Pautz | Guard | Phoenix, Ariz. | Norte Dame Preparatory | Missouri Southern State
Coach Vogel on Pautz: "Ava played major minutes for a good MIAA team last year as a freshman. She is a super versatile player on both ends of the floor. She can play inside or out on the offensive end. Her main job this past year was to guard the other team's best player which oftentimes was a point guard. To have a 6'0" player that can guard a PG and score on multiple levels on the offensive end is a huge asset to our program."
Previous School: Pautz played her freshman season at Missouri Southern State and appeared in 27 games for the Lions. She shot .400 from the floor and battled at the glass, averaging 3.4 rebounds a game.
High School: A four-year letterwinner and starter and a three-year captain, Pautz was a Gatorade Player of the Year nominee in her senior season, collecting three Region Player of the Year honors throughout her career while eclipsing 1,000 points her junior season.
Personal: Ava is the daughter of Bart Pautz and DelRae Urban and will pursue a major in Communications at Augustana
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