Women's Basketball | 11/8/2017 12:47:00 PM

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball coach Karla Nelson has announced the signing of four-student athletes for the 2018-19 season. Signing with MSUM on Wednesday were Nicole Brown of Madison, S.D.; Nicole Hebranson of Hawley, Minn.; Autumn Schlader of Ashwaubenon, Wis.; and Natalie Steichen of Dilworth, MInn.

"With our 2018 recruiting class we are happy to be able to add some key pieces to help fill the shoes of our outgoing senior class," Nelson said.  All four of these student-athletes are extremely hard workers in the classroom and on the basketball floor, thus it is no surprise how successful they have been up to this point. They each bring a unique, athletic skill set and we look forward to helping them contribute to our Dragon program in the near future.

Nicole Brown (C, 6-3, Madison, S.D./Madison HS)
Has 735 points, 595 rebounds, 97 blocks and 54 steals in career heading into her senior year…averaged a double-double as a junior…all-conference second and third team honoree in career…voted team Defensive Player of the Year in 20-15…three-year letterwinner in basketball…also lettered in volleyball and track and field.

"Nicole is the perfect fit as a student-athlete at MSUM," Nelson said. "From the first time she stepped foot on campus, we had a great connection with her and we immediately knew that she is a perfect fit as a Dragon. Nicole adds to our roster in another post with great size and ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. She has a tremendous upside and we cannot wait to get the most out of her abilities as a Dragon."

Nicole Hebranson (G, 5-9, Hawley, Minn./Barnesville HS)
Enters senior year with 1,211 career points, 552 rebounds and 384 assists…two-time all-conference honoree…three-time team MVP…three-year captain…four-year letterwinner in basketball, volleyball and softball…also lettered in track…has single game highs of 23 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.

"Nicole adds a combo guard to our roster who has played multiple positions throughout her high school career, which makes her skill set more valuable when she begins her Dragon career," Nelson said. "She will have the ability to affect a basketball game in many ways and she takes pride in everything she does. Nicole's dream was to become a Dragon and we are thankful and excited to finally have this happen."

Autumn Schlader (G, 5-11, Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon HS)
Averaged 11.2 points and 2.0 steals per game as a junior…team MVP as a junior…Green Bay Press Gazette All-state honorable mention in 2017…second-team all-conference…four-year letterwinner in basketball…two-time co-captain…also lettered in softball.

"Autumn adds more size to our perimeter game and she can flat out shoot the basketball," Nelson said. "She will bring physicality to our guard position and she does a great job of handling the ball for a guard her size. Autumn is a gym rat and we expect her to continue to grow her game to have the ability to play multiple positions within our program."

Natalie Steichen (G, 5-5, Dilworth, Minn./Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton HS)
Has 1,334 career points entering senior year…conference MVP…four-time all-conference…second team all-state…has a career-high of 42 points..averaged 19 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 5.0 steals per game…team captain…part of two team conference championships.

"Natalie is a point guard with the ability to affect a basketball games in many ways," Nelson said. "She will score in a variety of ways, great passer with tremendous court vision, and a relentless defender. We have enjoyed watching Natalie grow her game over the years and love that our community will get to continue to watch her contribute both on and off the floor."