Bowling Green women's basketball announces 3 new signees

11/16/2012

BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green State University women’s basketball program has signed three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Guards Kennedy Kirkpatrick of Lawrence, Kan., and Rachel Konieczki of Rockford, Ill., along with center Abby Siefker of Ottoville, Ohio, will join the Falcons for the 2013-14 academic year.

“Our staff is thrilled to announce the signing of three recruits in the 2012 recruiting class,” Falcons coach Jennifer Roos said. “These three young women have all of the qualities that we were looking for during the recruiting process.

“All three recruits have outstanding character, are in the top of their class academically, are fierce competitors, and want to make an impact at Bowling Green. I strongly believe that they will make our program better the first day they arrive on campus.”

Kirkpatrick is a 5-foot-10 guard in her senior year at Free State High School. She was named to the all-state first team in Class 6A (the large-school division) as a junior, leading the Firebirds to a school-record 16 wins. Kirkpatrick averaged 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season.

“Kennedy is one of the most talented shooting guards in the Midwest, who can score in a variety of ways," Roos said. "Not only does she have a scoring mentality, but she is proven scorer at the top high-school level and AAU level. She truly values what it means to be a team player, and will set high goals for the team and herself to achieve as a freshman.”

Konieczki is a 5-3 point guard who attends Rockford Lutheran High School. She earned all-state first-team honors as a junior after being named to the second team as a sophomore.

A three-time All-Big Northern Conference First-Team selection, Konieczki averaged 14.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.2 steals per game a year ago, helping the Crusaders to a 24-9 mark and a Big Northern West title. She helped the team to a 29-1 mark as a sophomore, averaging 11.8 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.2 steals that winter.

“I have not met a player who is in the gym more than Rachel,” said Roos. “She has an extremely high basketball IQ, and she will become a coach on the floor at the point guard position. Rachel has strong leadership skills and has the uncanny ability to make everyone around her better. She is a true competitor who can shoot the three and create off of the dribble.”

Siefker is a 6-2 center who attends Ottoville High School. She earned All-Ohio second team honors last season after leading the Big Green to the regional finals in Division IV.

Siefker averaged a double-double, with 14.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, and was named Putnam County League Player of the Year. Siefker helped coach Dave Klemen’s team to a 23-1 record last season.

“Abby was the first player in the Class of 2013 to verbally commit to BG and the new staff,” said Roos. “She brings size, skill and toughness to our team. Being the lone local recruit in this class, she knows our program and our style very well. She will be able to score inside, outside and in transition. Having played for one of the top AAU teams in Ohio, Abby has developed a true post presence on the floor.”

Kirkpatrick, Konieczki, and Siefker will join Erica Donovan in their first playing seasons in 2013-14. Donovan, a 5-11 guard who played a year at North Carolina State University, is sitting out the 2012-13 campaign because of NCAA transfer rules.

The BGSU men's team is expected to announce three signees — Zack Denny, Garrett Mayleben, and J.D. Tidsale — early next week.

Contact John Wagner at: jwagner@theblade.com, 419-724-6481 or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.