University of St. Thomas Athletics
Photo by: Abby Bondi
St. Thomas signs four on National Signing Day
11/13/2024 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The 2024-25 season is officially underway for the University of St. Thomas women's basketball team. As the Tommies begin their fourth season of Division I play, they look to the future, as head coach Ruth Sinn announced the 2025 recruit class Wednesday afternoon.
St. Thomas will welcome five new faces to campus next season, as four players signed their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. Lydia Aalsma (Waupan, Wis. / Waupan), Savannah Gage (Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny), Autumn McCall (Blaine, Minn. / Centennial) and Addison Schliewe (Sheboygan Falls, Wis. / Sheboygan Falls) will join the Tommies for the 2024-25 season after storied careers on both the high school and AAU scene.
Meet the incoming class of 2025:
Lydia Aalsma (Waupan, Wis. / Waupan)
Aalsma travels from Wisconsin to Minnesota, joining St. Thomas after a strong prep career at Waupan High School. A basketball and track star, Aalsma earned First Team All-Conference and All-State honors twice in her career and led Waupan basketball to a state title in 2022. She additionally earned a silver medal in the 400 meter dash at the Wisconsin State Track and Field Championships in 2024 and plays club basketball for Wisconsin Impact.
Off the court, Aalsma is a an honor roll student and claims to not like spaghetti. Her sister, Abbie, currently plays college basketball for Illinois State. At St. Thomas, Aalsma intends to major in marketing.
Sinn's Comments: Lydia is a coach's daughter who has lived in the gym growing up. Her approach has always been that of growth and a deep understanding of this game. She brings her whole self to her team each day, which in turn makes everyone better. I am so excited to have Lydia wear our St Thomas jersey and represent the purple!
Waupan head coach Tim Aalsma's comments: Lydia has been an impact player for our team from the moment she stepped on the floor as a freshman, helping us win our school's first state championship. She is a two time All-State player and has steadily improved as a leader throughout her time here. I'm excited to watch her grow and develop under the coaches at St. Thomas, not only as a basketball player, but as a person as well.
Savannah Gage (Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny)
A point guard from Anekny, Iowa, Gage brings a wealth of experience to the Tommies backcourt next season. A four year starter and two-time team captain, Gage earned a slew of honors in her first four high school seasons, including three All-Conference, one All-District and one All-State honor. She currently holds the Ankeny program records for points per game, averaging 13.8 throughout her career, and ranks third in career points with 886.
Off the court, Gage is a four-year academic letter winner with a cumulative GPA of 4.2. She intends to major in nursing at St. Thomas.
Sinn's comments: Savannah is a combo guard who understands the game, loves the game and continues to find ways to grow and improve. She is a positive leader who makes others better. I am looking forward to having her here at St Thomas and representing our program!
Ankeny head coach Nate Tobey: Savannah Gage left her mark at Ankeny High School on and off the court. She will graduate as one of the most decorated players in school history. Savannah has propelled the Ankeny girls' basketball program to new heights and has been a major part of a renewed level of success. Most importantly, Savannah is a tremendous leader at her school and is well-respected by everyone around her. St. Thomas is not only getting ab elite shooter, experienced winner and dynamic play-maker, they are also getting an outstanding person and something that will be transformational asset to her team and program.
Autumn McCall (Blaine, Minn. / Centennial)
McCall journeys to St. Thomas from Blaine, Minnesota, playing prep basketball at Centennial High School and with the Minnesota Fury. A four-year varsity starter and team captain, McCall earned All-Conference honors while with Centennial High School, and led the Minnesota Fury to a Final Four appearance at the UAA Finals in July 2024.
Off the court, McCall was a member of the Minnesota State High School League's Spotlight on Scholarship program. She is fluent in Spanish and intends to major in business at St. Thomas.
Sinn's comments: Autumn is a tireless worker who strives to be her best for her team each day. She is committed to learning and welcomes challenges as opportunity for growth. Her athleticism and skill set her apart from others. She will be a big contributor for us on both ends of the floor. I look forward to having Autumn here at St Thomas. Welcome Autumn!
Centennial head coach Jamie Sobolik's comments: Autumn is a player that will be talked about for a long time. She worked her way from the traveling B-team in elementary school to a sub on the A-team to a starter later in middle school to a varsity starter by her ninth grade season. She has been a dominant rebounder these past three years and is on pace to break the school career rebounding record. Autumn could be the first player in school history to have 1000 points and 100 rebounds.
Addison Schliewe (Sheboygan Falls, Wis. / Sheboygan Falls)
A 6'2 forward from Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, Schliewe will join the Tommies after a strong prep career at Sheboygan Falls in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference (EWC). A three-year varsity starter for the Falcons, Schliewe earned multiple honors in her first three high school seasons, including All-Conference and All-State nods. As a sophomore and junior, Schliewe was a unanimous First Team All-League selection and was voted the EWC Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 20.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.1 steals and 2.8 blocks for Sheboygan Falls. That same season, Schliewe led the Falcons to a 23-3 record, including a perfect 14-0 mark in conference play, and an EWC title. Entering her fourth and final high school season, Schliewe has scored 1175 points and tallied 723 career rebounds.
Off the court, Schliewe is a member of NHS and earned Academic All-State honors every semester of high school. She plays three different instruments, piano, bassoon and clarinet, and was a member of Sheboygan Falls' volleyball and soccer teams. Schliewe intends to major in health sciences and minor in psychology.
Sinn's comments: Addison is athletic, long and has a presence out on the court. She is a multi-dimensional player who can contribute on both sides of the ball. Offensively at the high post or on the low block and defensively through her ability to be a rim protector. Addison has so much potential. I can't wait to see her in our Tommie jersey!
Sheboygan Falls head coach Paul Houwer's thoughts: It has been a privilege to coach Addison since her freshman season. She is a leader, coachable and the consummate teammate. She will leave a positive and indelible mark on the girls' basketball program at Sheboygan Falls High School. St. Thomas isn't just getting an outstanding basketball player, but an even better person and student. I can't think of anyone better to represent the Tommies.
St. Thomas will welcome five new faces to campus next season, as four players signed their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. Lydia Aalsma (Waupan, Wis. / Waupan), Savannah Gage (Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny), Autumn McCall (Blaine, Minn. / Centennial) and Addison Schliewe (Sheboygan Falls, Wis. / Sheboygan Falls) will join the Tommies for the 2024-25 season after storied careers on both the high school and AAU scene.
Meet the incoming class of 2025:
Lydia Aalsma (Waupan, Wis. / Waupan)
Aalsma travels from Wisconsin to Minnesota, joining St. Thomas after a strong prep career at Waupan High School. A basketball and track star, Aalsma earned First Team All-Conference and All-State honors twice in her career and led Waupan basketball to a state title in 2022. She additionally earned a silver medal in the 400 meter dash at the Wisconsin State Track and Field Championships in 2024 and plays club basketball for Wisconsin Impact.
Off the court, Aalsma is a an honor roll student and claims to not like spaghetti. Her sister, Abbie, currently plays college basketball for Illinois State. At St. Thomas, Aalsma intends to major in marketing.
Sinn's Comments: Lydia is a coach's daughter who has lived in the gym growing up. Her approach has always been that of growth and a deep understanding of this game. She brings her whole self to her team each day, which in turn makes everyone better. I am so excited to have Lydia wear our St Thomas jersey and represent the purple!
Waupan head coach Tim Aalsma's comments: Lydia has been an impact player for our team from the moment she stepped on the floor as a freshman, helping us win our school's first state championship. She is a two time All-State player and has steadily improved as a leader throughout her time here. I'm excited to watch her grow and develop under the coaches at St. Thomas, not only as a basketball player, but as a person as well.
Savannah Gage (Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny)
A point guard from Anekny, Iowa, Gage brings a wealth of experience to the Tommies backcourt next season. A four year starter and two-time team captain, Gage earned a slew of honors in her first four high school seasons, including three All-Conference, one All-District and one All-State honor. She currently holds the Ankeny program records for points per game, averaging 13.8 throughout her career, and ranks third in career points with 886.
Off the court, Gage is a four-year academic letter winner with a cumulative GPA of 4.2. She intends to major in nursing at St. Thomas.
Sinn's comments: Savannah is a combo guard who understands the game, loves the game and continues to find ways to grow and improve. She is a positive leader who makes others better. I am looking forward to having her here at St Thomas and representing our program!
Ankeny head coach Nate Tobey: Savannah Gage left her mark at Ankeny High School on and off the court. She will graduate as one of the most decorated players in school history. Savannah has propelled the Ankeny girls' basketball program to new heights and has been a major part of a renewed level of success. Most importantly, Savannah is a tremendous leader at her school and is well-respected by everyone around her. St. Thomas is not only getting ab elite shooter, experienced winner and dynamic play-maker, they are also getting an outstanding person and something that will be transformational asset to her team and program.
Autumn McCall (Blaine, Minn. / Centennial)
McCall journeys to St. Thomas from Blaine, Minnesota, playing prep basketball at Centennial High School and with the Minnesota Fury. A four-year varsity starter and team captain, McCall earned All-Conference honors while with Centennial High School, and led the Minnesota Fury to a Final Four appearance at the UAA Finals in July 2024.
Off the court, McCall was a member of the Minnesota State High School League's Spotlight on Scholarship program. She is fluent in Spanish and intends to major in business at St. Thomas.
Sinn's comments: Autumn is a tireless worker who strives to be her best for her team each day. She is committed to learning and welcomes challenges as opportunity for growth. Her athleticism and skill set her apart from others. She will be a big contributor for us on both ends of the floor. I look forward to having Autumn here at St Thomas. Welcome Autumn!
Centennial head coach Jamie Sobolik's comments: Autumn is a player that will be talked about for a long time. She worked her way from the traveling B-team in elementary school to a sub on the A-team to a starter later in middle school to a varsity starter by her ninth grade season. She has been a dominant rebounder these past three years and is on pace to break the school career rebounding record. Autumn could be the first player in school history to have 1000 points and 100 rebounds.
Addison Schliewe (Sheboygan Falls, Wis. / Sheboygan Falls)
A 6'2 forward from Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, Schliewe will join the Tommies after a strong prep career at Sheboygan Falls in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference (EWC). A three-year varsity starter for the Falcons, Schliewe earned multiple honors in her first three high school seasons, including All-Conference and All-State nods. As a sophomore and junior, Schliewe was a unanimous First Team All-League selection and was voted the EWC Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 20.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.1 steals and 2.8 blocks for Sheboygan Falls. That same season, Schliewe led the Falcons to a 23-3 record, including a perfect 14-0 mark in conference play, and an EWC title. Entering her fourth and final high school season, Schliewe has scored 1175 points and tallied 723 career rebounds.
Off the court, Schliewe is a member of NHS and earned Academic All-State honors every semester of high school. She plays three different instruments, piano, bassoon and clarinet, and was a member of Sheboygan Falls' volleyball and soccer teams. Schliewe intends to major in health sciences and minor in psychology.
Sinn's comments: Addison is athletic, long and has a presence out on the court. She is a multi-dimensional player who can contribute on both sides of the ball. Offensively at the high post or on the low block and defensively through her ability to be a rim protector. Addison has so much potential. I can't wait to see her in our Tommie jersey!
Sheboygan Falls head coach Paul Houwer's thoughts: It has been a privilege to coach Addison since her freshman season. She is a leader, coachable and the consummate teammate. She will leave a positive and indelible mark on the girls' basketball program at Sheboygan Falls High School. St. Thomas isn't just getting an outstanding basketball player, but an even better person and student. I can't think of anyone better to represent the Tommies.
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