London, ON – The Mustangs Women's Basketball team will see 9 new faces added to the program this fall as they announce their 2024-25 recruit and transfer class.
The new members of the team come from across Canada and one from the United States.
This year's class includes transfers Jenna Button & Kailey Reimeralong with recruits Payton Baker, Maya Ball, Annie Balfe, Rachel Daly, Ainsley Lane, Mia Meldung & Monique Monplaisir.
"We are extremely excited about this year's recruiting class. We are welcoming a group of athletes with tremendous basketball experience. More importantly, it is a group that prioritizes their academic responsibilities, are great teammates, and want to represent our program with pride." said Mustangs Head Coach Nate McKibbon "We think our basketball community will love seeing them compete on the court at Alumni Hall as they continue the proud basketball tradition at Western!"
2024-2025 Mustangs Recruit & Transfer Class Profiles
Transfers
Jenna Button
Hometown: Dundas, Ontario
Previous School: McMaster University
Program of Study: Physical Therapy
Proudest Moment: Having the opportunity to play post-secondary basketball for 5 years in my hometown & receiving the OUA Joy Bellinger Award this past season
Why Did You Choose Western: I chose Western because of the opportunity to receive world-class education as well as the fact that theMPT program model and values align with my personal and professional goals. Additionally, after coming to campus for a visit and speaking with coaches and players, I knew that Western was the right fit for me in this next chapter of my academic and athletic career.
Coaches Quote: Jenna joins our program after an extremely successful first four years at McMaster University. She has established herself as one of the top two way players and leaders in the OUA. We can't wait to see all she accomplishes in purple and in the classroom as she enters her first year of Physical Therapy.
Kailey Reimer
Hometown: Abbotsford, BC
High School: MEI Secondary
Previous School: Trinity Western University
Program of Study: Physical Therapy
Proudest Moment: My proudest moment in basketball was my seniors night this past year because it allowed me to realize and celebrate all the hard work it took for me to reach that point.
Why Did You Choose Western: I chose Western because it has given me the opportunity to continue playing basketball while starting my masters in Physical Therapy. I appreciate how Coach Nate prioritizes relationship and team culture, and I am excited to be a part of that!
Coaches Quote: Kailey joins our program by way of Trinity Western University where she improved every year as a Spartan. In her last year she was an important member of the starting lineup and posted career bests in almost every statistical category. Kailey is also an exceptional student as she enters Physical Therapy this fall.
High School Recruits
Payton Baker
High School: Dundas Valley Secondary School
Club: Hamilton Transway Juel
Program of Study: Kinesiology
Proudest Moment: My proudest moment was winning the Juel Prep championship with my team in grade 10.
Why did you choose Western: I chose Western because the atmosphere fit my vibe as soon as I took a tour and all the girls on the basketball team made me feel welcome and at home as soon as I met them!
Coaches Quote: "Payton joins our program from an outstanding background with Dundas Dynamo and Transway. She is an elite level shooter who competes like crazy and is a fantastic teammate. We can't wait for her to join us in purple in the fall."
Maya Ball
Hometown: London, Ontario
High School: Saint André Bessette
Club/ AAU: London Ramblers JUEL
Program of Study: Psychology
Proudest Moment: My proudest moment is overcoming my anxiety about not knowing my path for basketball. To get through that, I trusted the process, my coaches and teammates. I continued to work hard and push my self out of my comfort zone while training and during games to get to where I am right now.
Why did you choose Western: I chose Western because of the culture. Being at practices and scrimmages gave me a good sense of how positive the environment is. I also enjoy being close to my family. Having my parents close to me is an added bonus.
Coaches Quote: "Local product Maya Ball joins us after a successful career at Bessette and London Ramblers. Maya is recognized as one of the best defensive players in the JUEL league. We look forward to welcoming her to our program in the fall.
Annie Balfe
Hometown: Manitoulin Island, Mindemoya more specifically Rockville
High School: Manitoulin Secondary School
Club: Lo Ellen Park Prep
Program of Study: Kinesiology
Proudest Moment: Moving to Lo Ellen to play basketball, with the little basketball experience I had. It was a big jump coming into a team with a lot of better girls, but I worked really hard and got better and worked through each day.
Why did you choose Western: I chose Western because of several things. I loved the campus and how it feels like you're walking through a park. The campus also has a variety of things to do and everything a university student would need is on the campus. On the athletic side, I loved the team culture and spirit, as well as the coaches and staff were super inviting. I am super excited to become a Mustang!!!!!!
Coaches Quote: "Annie joins us Mindemoya by way of Lo-Ellen Prep. Annie's energy and effort is contagious. She competes like crazy and is an elite level defender. We look forward to Annie joining our program in the fall."
Rachel Daly
Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario
High School: Cathedral high school
Club/AAU: Hamilton Transway
Program of Study: Medical Science
Proudest Moment: Winning 3 OFSAA championships with my high school team.
Why Did You Choose Western: I choose Western because it is close to home, has the program I want and the basketball team is an added bonus!!
Coaches Quote: Rachel is first and foremost a winner. She is a multiple year champion in some of the top leagues in Ontario. She won 3 OFSAA championships with Cathedral high school as well as multiple club championships with Transway. Rachel is an outstanding shooter who does all the little things to help teams perform at their best.
Ainsley Lane
Hometown: Stoney Creek, ON
High School: Saltfleet District High School
Club/AAU: Hamilton Transway Juel
Program of Study: Kinesiology
Proudest Moment: Going to OFSAA with my high school team!
Why Did You Choose Western: I chose Western because of the coaching staff, team dynamic and I love the atmosphere that Western has on and off the court.
Coaches Quote: "Ainsley joins our program from Transways, Dundas Dynamo and Saltfleet. She is a true point guard who has been well schooled by her father, Dan Lane. The biggest compliment I can give Ainsley is she makes teams better. We can't wait for her to help us be better in the fall."
Mia Meldung
Hometown: Boca Raton, Florida
High School: Donna Klein
Club/AAU: Miami Suns, FGB
Program of Study: Kinesiology
Proudest Moment: Winning Districts my Sophom*ore Year
Why Did You Choose Western: Not only is it a beautiful school but I loved the coaching staff and felt like I can make it my second home.
Coaches Quote: "Mia originally born in Toronto comes to us by way of Florida. She comes with a wealth experience playing at Donna Klein and with the Miami Suns. Mia is a fantastic shooter and can create her own shot. She has a great feel for the game with the ball in her hand. We look forward to welcoming Mia back to Canada in the fall."
Monique Monplaisir
Hometown: Scarborough, ON
High School: Bill Crothers Secondary School
Club/AAU: Kia Nurse Elite
Program of Study: Kinesiology (Bachelors of Arts)
Proudest Moment: The first time I made a rep basketball team and when my teammates and I won the Rose League Championship in 2020.
Why Did You Choose Western: I chose Western because when I was on campus, it felt like home and I created a great bond with Coach Nate and he made me feel really wanted throughout my recruiting process. Western is also one of the top schools in Canada for Kinesiology.
Coaches Quotes: "Monique Monplaisir, former teammate of current Mustang Paris Alexander, joins us from Bill Corothers, Kia Nurse Elite and Toronto Matrix. Monique is a top defender but has a well-rounded game. She can shoot the three or attack the rim. We can't wait to get Monique on campus in the fall."
The Mustangs 2024-25 regular season schedule will open on October 25th on the road to take on Carleton. The home opener is set for November 9thwhen we host Lakehead.
Find the full 2024-25 Mustangs Women's Basketball scheduleHERE
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