Posted: Nov 10, 2015

Women's Basketball Reloads With Six Freshman In 2015-16 Class

CHICOPEE, Mass. – After falling one game shy of their fourth-straight New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) title game appearance, Elms College Head Women's Basketball Coach Michelle Proulx has reloaded the Blazers roster with the goal of capturing their first conference crown since the 2011-12 season.

The 2015 incoming class includes Nakia Mabin (Bridgeport, Conn.), Erin O'Donnell (Glenmont, N.Y.), Kayla Aberdale (Housatonic, Mass.), Dominika Orsaris (Hartford, Conn.), Melissa Robison (White River Junction, Vt.), and Chaniah Pantry (New Haven, Conn.).

Mabin comes to Elms after playing varsity basketball at Notre Dame Catholic High School, as well as AAU basketball for the Connecticut Premier. While at Notre Dame Catholic, Nakia helped guide her team to an appearance in the 2013 state championship, en route to conference honorable mention honors. As a senior, Mabin received All-Divisional and All-Patriot League honors, as well as an invitation to play in the senior all-star game. Nakia will be majoring in Education and minoring in Coaching while at Elms.

O'Donnell wrapped up her prep career at Bethlehem Central High School, where she was a varsity player since eighth grade. In her first season starting as a sophomore, O'Donnell and Bethlehem finished as runners up for the Section 2 Championship. As a senior, O'Donnell helmed Bethlehem to a Section 2 title, a regional championship and an appearance in the New York State Final Four. Erin received multiple defensive and coaches' awards while attending Bethlehem. O'Donnell will be majoring in Psychology while at Elms, and plans to play for the reigning New England Collegiate Conference Softball Champions in the spring.

Aberdale was a three-year varsity player at Monument Mountain Regional High School. As a sophomore, Kayla received the All-South County Girls Basketball Coaches Award, followed by All-South County First Team and All-Western Massachusetts Division III Second Team selections after her junior season. During her senior season, Kayla captained the MMRHS squad, and earned All-South County Second Team recognition. Kayla participated in track at Monument Mountain, and spent time in the AAU circuit with the Massachusetts Frenzy. Kayla is a member of the STEM program, and will be majoring in Chemistry at Elms.

Orsaris was a member of the varsity basketball team at Greater Hartford Classical Magnet School. Dominika played AAU basketball with the Connecticut Northstars. Orsaris was recognized as her team's most valuable player in 2010, 2012, & 2013, and received the Gladiator Award as a senior. Dominika received Classical Magnet's team leader award for her leadership role as the sole senior on a very young team. Orsaris will be majoring in Social Work and Criminal Justice while at Elms.

Robison played varsity basketball at Hartford High School in Vermont, as well as playing AAU basketball for the Stateline Jammers, who were the top-ranked team in the New England power rankings during her junior season. While at Hartford, Melissa won the Division 2 State Championship. Robison has spent a lot of time coaching youth skills basketball camps for her Stateline Jammers AAU organization. Melissa will be majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Elms.

Pantry was a four year player, and a three-year captain, at Hill Regional Career High School. Chaniah assisted in winning back-to-back SCC Championships for Career. Pantry played AAU basketball for Da Fam Club and Connecticut United Queens, who won the state title in 2014. While at Career, Chaniah was a three-year member and two-year captain of the volleyball team. Pantry will be majoring in Criminal Justice at Elms.

The Blazers kick off the 2015-16 season with their home opener against Anna Maria College Saturday afternoon at Picknelly Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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