Women's Basketball | December 5, 2019

PHILADELPHIA – Five new faces will be joining the La Salle women's basketball team next season, head coach Mountain MacGillivray announced Wednesday. In his second class at 20th & Olney, MacGillivray welcomes Morgan Adams (New Oxford, Pa.), Jaye Haynes (North Wales, Pa.), Michelle Kozicki (Wilmington, Del.), Kayla Richardson (Red Bank, N.J.), and Emilee Tahata (Springfield, Australia).
 
"I am super excited about this class," MacGillivray said. "We have added major talent, depth, and versatility to our front court and a defensive stopper and go to scorer in our backcourt. These young ladies will help us continue to build a program that will be a source of pride for La Salle University and our North Philly community."

Morgan Adams | 6-1 | F | New Oxford, Pa.
Adams is a three-sport athlete at New Oxford High School, playing volleyball, basketball, and softball. The New Oxford, Pa. native was named a YAIAA Second Team All-Star as a junior in basketball. Her team also went on to PIAA Districts. Outside of high school, she plays AAU for York Thunder 2020.
 
"I really love the coaching staff and players," Adams said. "I also really love the department for my major as well as the campus. Being on campus feels like home and the team already feels like family."
 
In the classroom, Adams consistently made distinguished honor roll and is a member of the National Honor Society. At La Salle, she intends on studying elementary education.
 
"Everything that Morgan does, she does really well," MacGillivray said. "It's rare when an athlete can dominate in three sports, be musically gifted, and excel academically. As basketball becomes her sole athletic focus she is going to be a major force with the ability to score from anywhere on the court and rebound at a high level."

Jaye Haynes | 5-8 | G | Fort Washington, Pa.
Haynes comes to the Blue & Gold from Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, Pa. The 5-8 guard was a PIAA 1st-Team 3A All-State and First Team All-Inter-AC selection as a junior. Residing in North Wales, Pa., Haynes is the daughter of former Villanova men's basketball player and pro overseas, Jonathan Haynes. As a sophomore, Haynes brought home Third Team All-State, Second Team All-Intelligencer, and First Team All-Inter-AC. Outside of school, she plays AAU for the Lady Runnin Rebels. ESPN ranked Haynes as a three-star recruit and 56th overall at her position with an overall grade of 89.
 
"La Salle felt like a home away from home," Haynes said. "I instantly loved the coaching staff and the players. They all have positive attitudes."
 
"Jaye is a two-way player who can defend and score the ball at a high level," MacGillivray said. "She comes form a great high school program and is familiar with playing in high level games against great competition. She is comfortable with having been both a defensive stopper and a go-to offensive player."
 
Michelle Kozicki | 6-0 | F | Wilmington, Del.
Kozicki hails from Wilmington, Del. and plays high school basketball and volleyball at Padua Academy. The 6-0 forward was a Third Team DSBA All-State and First Team All-Catholic Conference selection as a junior. On the volleyball court, Kozicki was named to the Under Armour Watchlist after claiming her spot as a Third Team All-State and First Team All-Catholic Conference in 2019. Outside of high school, Kozkicki plays AAU for the Lower Delco Wildcats.
 
"I chose La Salle because I saw the way that the coaches and the team interacted," Kozicki said. "I just really wanted to be a part of that. When I visited, it immediately felt like home and that I belonged here."
 
"We are excited to Michelle join our Explorer family," MacGillivray said. "She is a quick leaper who is relentless when she pursues the ball. She is a talented passer who can finish around the hoop."

Kayla Richardson | 5-11 | G/F | Red Bank, N.J.
Richardson is fresh off a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV State Championship title as a junior at Middletown High School South. In the championship game, the 5-11 guard/forward dropped 23 second half points to lead all-scorers and corralled 19 rebounds. The Red Bank, N.J. native was selected Coaches First Team All-Division in her most recent season, while also being named Hoop Group Third Team All-Shore Conference and Shore Sports Network Third Team All-Shore Conference after averaging 13.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, and 2.6 spg. Outside of school, she plays AAU for the New Jersey Panthers.
 
"I chose La Salle because of the family environment," Richardson said. "The players, as well as the coaches, made me feel at home."
 
Academically, Richardson is a high honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society. When she arrives at La Salle, she plans to major in psychology.
 
"Kayla can flat out score the ball. She has the unique ability to be a spot up shooter, a playmaker off the dribble, and a nightmare of a matchup in the post," MacGillivray said. "There is not an offensive position she cannot play for us here at La Salle. As a state champion out of the Shore Conference in Jersey, she knows how to win."

Emilee Tahata | 6-1 | F | Springfield, Australia
Tahata hails from Springfield, Australia and is the third Australian signee for MacGillivray and his staff. She has played for the New Zealand Youth National team and will provide more depth as a 6-1 forward. In the 2018 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup, Tahata made four appearances of her team's seven games and averaged 7.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 1.8 apg.
 
"I chose La Salle because the coaching staff and team made me feel so welcomed," Tahata said. "Moving far away from your family into a whole new atmosphere is pretty daunting, but the team made it feel like home. Also, I believe the coaching staff will better me as a player and person both on and off the court."
 
"Our fourth International signing in three years, Emilee is the first with national team experience as she has been a member of the New Zealand Youth National teams," MacGillivray said. "Her length and high skill level are going to make her a very difficult match up. Having already played against some of the best players in the world she will be arriving prepared."