THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Cal Lutheran Women's Basketball head coach Lindsay Samaniego announced her 2018-19 incoming class, Tuesday morning, featuring eight incoming freshmen and two transfers.
"This year's incoming class is very dedicated and hard working. I anticipate some of them will make an immediate impact on the court. They are a group of really good people who will have a positive influence on our program. I'm looking forward to getting on the floor with them!" said Samaniego.
Karly Beyers
Beyers joins the Regals from Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California. The 5'9" forward played two seasons for the Bulldogs, nabbing Female Scholar Athlete of the Year and First Team All-Western State Conference honors in 2018. In addition to her six double-doubles, she ranked third in conference with 3.8 assists per game, sixth with 7.9 rebounds per game and ninth with 12.5 points per contest. During her two-year career, she averaged 11 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and shot 36.5 percent from 3-point range.
In high school, Beyers was three-year varsity letterwinner in basketball for Pioneer Valley High School, earning All-Pac 8 League accolades as a junior and senior. In 2014, she led the team to its first Pac 8 League Championship title in school history. She was additionally named an all-league honoree four straight years in softball.
Off the court, Beyers was a scholar athlete in the classroom and graduated with high honors (3.8 GPA) during both tenures. She received her associate's degree in Liberal Arts: Math and Science from Allan Hancock. She also volunteered with Relay 4 Life, the Special Olympics and at her local hospital.
"I'm excited to continue playing basketball at the school I've wanted to attend since I graduated high school," said Beyers.
Kamakani DeBlake
DeBlake joins the program from Manoa, Hawaii. The 5'4" guard was a four-year varsity basketball letterwinner for Punahou High School, named team captain and an All-Interscholastic League of Hawaii Honorable Mention.
Outside of basketball, DeBlake also competed one year in volleyball and two in track and field (sprints and triple jump) for the BuffnBlu. She was also a four-year Honor Roll member.
In her community, DeBlake volunteered as an AVID tutor at Washington Middle School, Mai Poina Tour Guide at 'Iolani Palace, and KP Training Assistant Coach. She additionally served in Sustainability Club Beach Clean Ups, Native Plant Restoration, and Loko I'a (fishpond) and Lo'i Kalo (taro patch) Maintenance.
"I chose Cal Lutheran because of community that's already present. You feel welcomed as soon as you step foot on campus. I truly felt at home and at that point I knew Cal Lutheran was where I wanted to be," said DeBlake.
Mackenzy Iwahashi
Iwahashi joins Cal Lutheran from Granada Hills, California. She was a four-year letterwinner for Chaminade College Preparatory, and was named to the All-Mission League Second Team and a team captain. The 5'4" guard led the Eagles to two Southern Section Open Division Championships and three CIF Open Division Championships.
Off the court, Iwahashi received the Student Athlete award and volunteered with the Young Buddhist League and the San Fernando Valley Athletics Association. She also played for the Girls Lights Out and Valley Team basketball clubs in Van Nuys, California.
Said she chose Cal Lutheran for its "great basketball team and amazing academic program."
Cameron Mallory
Mallory joins the Regals from Santa Ana, California. The 5'9" forward was a four-year varsity letterwinner for Foothill High School, leading the Knights as team captain her junior and senior year. She additionally received Second Team All-Crestview League and Coaches Award honors.
She was also an Honor Roll member, Vice Chairman of the Assistance League and California Scholarship Federation member.
"I chose Cal Lutheran because it's a great community of people and the academics and basketball are a great fit for me. I'm super excited to get to work and try to win a national championship!" said Mallory.
Kylie McEnroe
McEnroe joins the program as a 5'7" guard from Thousand Oaks, California. The Conejo-valley native played two years on varsity at Thousand Oaks High School, leading the team to the 2017 CIF Southern Section 3AA Championships as a junior.
She was also awarded the Scholar Athlete Award four years in a row, named the Lancers' team captain, and received the Coach's Award for Leadership. Off the court, she was President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and ASB Secretary. She also served as a youth basketball coach and vacation bible school leader at church.
"I chose Cal Lutheran because I love the sense of community and ability to pursue both my athletic and academic endeavors," said McEnroe.
Danielle Roberts
Roberts joins Cal Lutheran from Gardena, California. The 6'0" post was a four-year varsity letterwinner for The Archer School for Girls, earning All-CIF Southern Section and All-Liberty League accolades as a senior.
She additionally holds the Panthers' record for most three pointers made in a game with nine made against Pacifica Christian/Santa Monica on December 16, 2017. She finished the season averaging 16.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
"I'm excited about being able to continue playing at the next level and improving my skills while at Cal Lutheran. I also cannot wait to build and create new memories with my coaches, teammates, and friends along the way," said Roberts.
Alexis Rodriguez
Rodrigues joins the Regals from North Hills, California as a 5'3" guard. She was a four-year varsity letterwinner at Chaminade College Preparatory, taking the program to Division 1 Southern Section finals in 2018 as team captain.
"I chose California Lutheran University because of the diversity and how close I am to home. I am excited to meet new people along the way and continue to play the sport I love," said Rodriguez.
Abi Torres-Drozd
Torres-Drozd joins Cal Lutheran as a junior transfer from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California, after taking the team to its first postseason conference tournament in program history.
The 5'7" forward was a three-year varsity letter winner at William J. Palmer High School, where she holds the school record for most three pointers made in a single game at seven and finished second in most three-pointers made in a career.
During the 2013-14 season, she finished second amongst her team in scoring and fourth in the conference for three-point shooting, earning her the Coach's Award and All-Colorado Springs Metro 5-A League Honorable Mention. The next year, she led the team as captain, earned all-league accolades and ranked fourth in the conference for the second consecutive year from three-point range.
Off the court, Torres-Drozd was a National Honor Society and Honor Roll member. She additionally served as a Youth Ambassador with the Filipino American Association of Southern Colorado and with the Make-A-Wish foundation, KKTV Stocking Stuffers Program and Safe Passage program.
"I chose Cal Lutheran because it provides the best opportunity for me to grow both athletically and academically. Cal Lutheran will also be able help in my after-college endeavors and help me grow as a person," said Torres-Drozd.
Haley Tyrell
Tyrell joins the Regals from Henderson, Nevada. The 5'9" guard was a three-year varsity letterwinner for Coronado High School. During her tenure as a Cougar, she became the first female to reach 1,000 points in only three varsity seasons. Her performance earned his First Team All-4A Desert League all three years and All-Nevada state as a junior and senior.
In addition, Tyrell served on student council as Freshman Class President, Student Body Public Relations Officer, Student Body Historian and was a four-year member of the AP Academy.
"I chose Cal Lutheran because of all the opportunities it has to offer. I feel it has a good balance between the focus on academics as well as athletics. Cal Lutheran has all the tools to help me succeed and progress throughout the future. I am excited to take on new challenges, obstacles, and opportunities while learning new things from a different perspective," said Tyrell.
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Release by Christy Effendie, Assistant Sports Information Director