Seton Hill women's basketball brings in 7 new players

Seton Hill women’s basketball coach Mark Katarski found away to build a solid recruiting class for the 2020-21 season, mainly online.

The incoming class includes junior transfer Sonia Sarda of Granollers, Spain. Sarda played the past two seasons at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma, where she averaged 11.2 points as a sophomore. She scored a career-high 25 points against Harding.

Katarski said his team’s trip to Spain in 2017 helped him meet people that helped him recruit Sarda.

The experience of the 5-foot-6 guard should help with the loss of two starters to graduation.

“We’re excited about the class we have coming in,” Katarski said. “I felt like a football coach recruiting these players. We had to depend on a lot of video since we’ve been unable to see players in person.”

The remainder of the class includes Woodland Hills forward Joi Burleigh, Central Valley guard Christiane Frye, Westinghouse forward Khamille Andrews, Fountain Valley, Colo., forward Katie Prantl, Highlands guard Sarah Sawhook and Freeport forward Sidney Shemanski.

Katarski said all the players are at the top of their class academically. Burleigh signed in November.

“Joi, Christiane and Sidney are very athletic,” Katarski said. “All of them have special skills. I told the players that because next year’s class has the potential to graduate seven players, we want them to be ready to contribute this winter.”

Katarski said the upcoming season will be different for everyone.

Seton Hill has a smaller schedule, only playing seven games before the Christmas break and 15 after New Year’s Day.

“There are a lot of precautions we’re preparing for,” Katarski said. “This is something new for everyone, just like 9-11 was.”