North Carolina State University Athletics
Coach Yow Signs Two Players From Nebraska
11/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. NC State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow announced Wednesday that two student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent on the first day of the early signing period.
Yow has received commitments from guard Marissa Kastanek and forward Kelsie Lliteras.
“Both players come from the state of Nebraska and will play an essential role in the future of Wolfpack women’s basketball,” said Yow. “Marissa will help us add depth to the guard position with Shayla Fields currently in her final year with us, while Kelsie gives us another option in the post with her size.
Kastanek, a 5-9 guard from Lincoln, Neb., is a pre-season honorable mention All-American by Sporting News and the 42nd-ranked guard nationally by ESPN Hoop Gurlz.
She gave a verbal commitment to Coach Yow all the way back in Sept. 2007, and according to Kastanek is living out a dream. “When I started playing as a little girl, my goal was to play in the ACC and on the East Coast where basketball is big.”
The three year all-state selection has already scored over 1,000 points heading into her final season playing for head coach John Larson at Lincoln Southeast High School.
Kastanek was tabbed All-Super-State as a junior after averaging 18 points, seven rebounds and four steals. She helped lead the Knights to a state championship by scoring 23 points in the title game over Millard West.
The three-time all-conference honoree also led Crete High School into the state title game as a sophomore. Kastanek was a second team Super-Stater that season, leading Crete to a 25-1 record and a Class B runner-up finish at the state tournament. She averaged 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, five steals and 4.5 assists per game.
In addition to her success on the basketball court, Kastanek was the state champion in the 800 meter dash as a sophomore, is a member of the National Honor Society and has a GPA in the top 10-percent of her graduating class of 395.
“Marissa is a competitor that gives 110-percent every time she is on the court,” said Kastanek’s AAU coach Dan Lesoing. “One of her best attributes is the ability to make everyone she plays with better.”
Lliteras is a 6-4 forward from Chadron, Neb., and like, Kastanek, is a pre-season honorable mention All-American by Sporting News. She will play her fourth and final season at Chadron High School for coach Curt Holmquist this school year.
As a junior, she was named honorable mention All-State after averaging 13.7 points and 8.9 rebounds, while shooting 45.1 and 69.8 percent from the field and free throw line respectively. She set game high’s last season with 28 points against Bayard and 17 rebounds against Sidney.
Lliteras averaged 8.1 points and 7.9 rebounds as a sophomore. She has also lettered three years in volleyball.
“Kelsie brings good height and build that will be well suited for the Division I level,” explained Holmquist. “She runs the floor well, has excellent shooting range for a 6-4 player and I only expect her to get better at the next level.”
Yow has received commitments from guard Marissa Kastanek and forward Kelsie Lliteras.
“Both players come from the state of Nebraska and will play an essential role in the future of Wolfpack women’s basketball,” said Yow. “Marissa will help us add depth to the guard position with Shayla Fields currently in her final year with us, while Kelsie gives us another option in the post with her size.
Kastanek, a 5-9 guard from Lincoln, Neb., is a pre-season honorable mention All-American by Sporting News and the 42nd-ranked guard nationally by ESPN Hoop Gurlz.
She gave a verbal commitment to Coach Yow all the way back in Sept. 2007, and according to Kastanek is living out a dream. “When I started playing as a little girl, my goal was to play in the ACC and on the East Coast where basketball is big.”
The three year all-state selection has already scored over 1,000 points heading into her final season playing for head coach John Larson at Lincoln Southeast High School.
Kastanek was tabbed All-Super-State as a junior after averaging 18 points, seven rebounds and four steals. She helped lead the Knights to a state championship by scoring 23 points in the title game over Millard West.
The three-time all-conference honoree also led Crete High School into the state title game as a sophomore. Kastanek was a second team Super-Stater that season, leading Crete to a 25-1 record and a Class B runner-up finish at the state tournament. She averaged 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, five steals and 4.5 assists per game.
In addition to her success on the basketball court, Kastanek was the state champion in the 800 meter dash as a sophomore, is a member of the National Honor Society and has a GPA in the top 10-percent of her graduating class of 395.
“Marissa is a competitor that gives 110-percent every time she is on the court,” said Kastanek’s AAU coach Dan Lesoing. “One of her best attributes is the ability to make everyone she plays with better.”
Lliteras is a 6-4 forward from Chadron, Neb., and like, Kastanek, is a pre-season honorable mention All-American by Sporting News. She will play her fourth and final season at Chadron High School for coach Curt Holmquist this school year.
As a junior, she was named honorable mention All-State after averaging 13.7 points and 8.9 rebounds, while shooting 45.1 and 69.8 percent from the field and free throw line respectively. She set game high’s last season with 28 points against Bayard and 17 rebounds against Sidney.
Lliteras averaged 8.1 points and 7.9 rebounds as a sophomore. She has also lettered three years in volleyball.
“Kelsie brings good height and build that will be well suited for the Division I level,” explained Holmquist. “She runs the floor well, has excellent shooting range for a 6-4 player and I only expect her to get better at the next level.”
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