University of St. Thomas Athletics
Tommies ink four on National Signing Day
11/8/2023 3:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
2024 recruit class consists of top talent from Minnesota, Wisconsin
ST. PAUL, MINN. – It's a big day for the University of St. Thomas women's basketball team. After opening the 2023-24 season on Monday, the Tommies made a splash in the Division I basketball world on Wednesday, announcing their 2024 recruit class. St. Thomas will welcome four new Tommies in 2024-25, with all four signing their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
Three highly touted recruits from Minnesota, Alyssa Sand (Albany, Minn. / Albany), Laura Hauge (West St. Paul, Minn. / St. Croix Lutheran) and Savanah Gardner (Apple Valley, Minn. / Eastview) are set to join Sinn's roster next season, while Mikayla Werner (Hortonville, Wis. / Hortonville) will make the trip over from Wisconsin to round out the 2024 recruit class.
Meet the incoming class of 2024:
Savanah Gardner (Forward; Apple Valley, Minn. / Eastview)
A talented shooter, Gardner is one of three Minnesotans set to join the Tommies next season after an outstanding prep career at Eastview High School and with North Tartan. As a member of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL), Gardner led North Tartan to the 16U National Championship in 2022 and helped the club team win the Minnesota AAU State Championship that same season. Her accomplishments with Eastview are equally impressive. She averaged just below 10.0 points per game as a sophomore and junior, scoring 461 points in 54 games between the two seasons.
Sinn's comments: Welcome Savanah to our Tommie women's basketball program! Savanah is a strong athlete with so much potential. Her ability to create mismatches on both ends of the floor makes her a problem for opponents. She is a shooter who can post up or use her speed to attack downhill. Savanah is a true team first player. She is always looking to serve her teammates and help them succeed. She has great empathy and understanding, which helps her team build trust and understanding of each other. I am so excited to partner with Savanah on this next chapter in her life. Roll Toms!
Laura Hauge (Guard; West St. Paul, Minn. / St. Croix Lutheran)
Like Gardner, Hauge opted to stay close to home, signing her National Letter of Intent to play at St. Thomas in 2024-25. Entering her senior season at St. Croix Lutheran, Hauge already has an impressive basketball resume. As a junior, she became the all-time leading scorer and surpassed 2000 career points, becoming the first player in program history to eclipse the milestone. As a member of North Tartan's club team, Hauge was named the MVP of the 2022 Minnesota AAU State Championship (2024).
Sinn's comments: I am so excited to welcome Laura to our St. Thomas women's basketball program. Laura is a gym rat. She lives in the gym, shooting threes and working on her game, but what separates Laura is her ability to bring others with her. She is a consummate teammate who serves others, brings joy, and makes life a celebration. She is exactly the type of person and player I want wearing a St. Thomas uniform, and I am so excited for Laura to wear the Purple! Welcome Laura!
Alyssa Sand (Forward / Center; Albany, Minn. / Albany)
A highly touted recruit from Albany, Minnesota, Sand will remain in purple after an outstanding prep career with Albany High School and the Minnesota Comets. As a junior in 2022-23, Sand earned First Team All-State, All-Section and All-Conference honors after averaging 17.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game for the Huskies. She additionally helped Albany repeat as both Conference and Section Champions and led the Huskies to the AA State Championship Game against Providence Academy, where she scored 29 points and pulled in 21 rebounds in the loss.
Sinn's comments: I am excited to welcome Alyssa into our basketball family. Alyssa is a phenomenal athlete who can control the game in so many aspects. She is a hybrid forward who exerts her presence on both defense and offense. Offensively, she can face the basket or stretch the floor. On the defensive end, she is agile, long and a tough shot blocker. She is a wonderful teammate who is about building community and is unconditionally loyal to her team. I know she is going to be great here as a Tommie! Welcome Alyssa!
Mikayla Werner (Guard; Hortonville, Wis. / Hortonville)
Werner travels from Minnesota to Wisconsin after earning multiple honors as a guard for Hortonville High School and with WI Flight Elite AAU team. As a junior, Werner helped lead Hortonville to the Wisconsin State Tournament for the fifth time in seven years and closed the 2022-23 season ranked fourth in the state after a run to the semifinal. She additionally put up impressive stats as a junior, as she averaged 9.1 points per game thanks to .561 shooting from the floor.
Off the court, Werner is a member of the National Honor Society at Hortonville. Her sister, Maggie, is a member of the University of Minnesota softball team.
Sinn's comments: I want to welcome Mikayla into our Tommie Community! Mikayla is a long, athletic player with an eye for the basket. Her ability to shoot the ball is exceptional. She is an all-around player who gives unconditionally of herself for the betterment of the team. She cares for her teammates first and foremost as people. She brings an open heart to her team each day, and I can't wait to have Mikayla on our court wearing the jersey!
