Christensen nabs talented in-state duo

MITCHELL, S.D. – Jason Christensen, head women's basketball coach at Dakota Wesleyan University, has added two Class 'AA' standouts in Mateya Walder of Watertown, S.D., and Lindsey Hale of Yankton, S.D.

 Walder comes to the Tigers from Watertown High School, where she was a 2016-17 team captain, while averaging 9.1 points per game. Walder. She was named all-conference last season and was team MVP her junior year. The Watertown Arrow shot 44 percent from the field, 37 percent from beyond the arc and 67 percent from the charity stripe this season. Walder averaged 5.2 rebounds and three assists as a senior, while she is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Gold Honor Roll for four years.

  "Mateya is an all-around excellent athlete," Christensen said. "She will provide us an immediate spark for our team, and I couldn't be more excited to add another Walder to the Tiger family."

 Lindsey Hale joins the Tigers from nearby Yankton High School. As a sophomore she averaged 10 points per game and was named All-ESD Conference Honorable Mention. As a junior, she tallied 10 points per game and was named All-ESD Honorable Mention, while setting the school record for free throw percentage at 87 percent. In her senior year, she averaged 7.5 points and four rebounds per game.

 "I am extremely excited to have Lindsey as a member of our DWU basketball family," Christensen said. "Coming from a Class 'AA' program, she will provide us with immediate experience. She is the type of in-state talent that has the versatility to play at the next level."

 The Tigers take on Milligan College in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City, Iowa.