DWU continues to build with local talent

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team has begun the recruiting process for the 2019-20 season with the addition of three local standouts, head women's basketball coach Jason Christensen announced Tuesday. Christensen added Mattilynn Reiner of Tripp, S.D., Emma Paul of Dell Rapids, S.D., and Sydnaya Dunn of Sioux Falls, S.D.

 Reiner was a five-year starter for the Tripp-Delmont Nighthawks as she guided them to a third-place finish at the South Dakota Class B Girls State Basketball Tournament in 2018 and an LMVC conference championship.

 Through her first three seasons, Reiner has tallied 1,362 points, 825 rebounds, 319 assists and 295 steals and has been a team captain for four years. She was named to the All-Tournament Team, All-State First Team, All-Conference Team and Q107 Elite 8 Team her junior season. During her sophomore year, she was named to the All-State Second Team and All-Conference Team, while being named to the All-Conference Team her freshman season.

 Academically, she was a White Letter Winner, along with holding the top GPA in her class her freshman, sophomore and junior years. Reiner is also a member of the National Honor Society.

 She is the daughter of Marc and Carrie Reiner and plans to major in sport, exercise and wellness and athletic training.

 "We always want to strive to build on our success from year to year," Christensen said. "It makes it that much better when we can do that with the additions of local talents."

 Joining the Tigers from Dell Rapids, Paul helped lead her team to a 14-6 record her junior season. She averaged 10.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.3 steals per game. Thanks to her efforts on the court, she is a three-time All-Conference Team member and an All-State Team selection once.

 Paul is a three-time member of the basketball state tournament and also competed in track where she placed at the state track meet. She participates in study buddies and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

 She is the daughter of Stacie and Cory Paul and plans to major in elementary education.

 Dunn helped lead the Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots to a 16-3 record her junior season, the second-best mark in Class AA and a third-place finish at the state tournament. She received the Most Improved Player Award, multiple Unsung Hero of the Game Awards and was named the team captain.

 She averaged six points and five rebounds per game, while tallying 40 blocks and 29 assists. Dunn shot 48 percent from the field during her junior season as well. She was voted to the All-Star Team in a tournament in Kansas City.

 She received Academic Excellence Awards all three years in both basketball and volleyball. Dunn is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.

 She is the daughter of Kristi and Sid Dunn and plans to major in nursing.

 "These three girls are difference makers," Christensen stated. "We are beyond excited to see what they will bring to the team, and the legacy they will leave at DWU."