First Lady Hornet Signing Class for MJ Baker

Women's Basketball | 7/10/2025 8:30:00 AM

July 10, 2025-Head coach MJ Baker has announced her first recruiting class for the Lady Hornets. Kaitlyn Sanders, Katiya Casey, Micah Hanna, Maria Luisa Montes, Julia Clavero and Allison Reese will be attending Emporia State next year and playing basketball for the Lady Hornets. They join previous signee Vanessa Coleman in the recruiting class for 2025-26 at Emporia State.
 
"I am stoked about the seven talented newcomers to the program," said Baker. "With a strong returning core already in place, these players are expected to elevate the team's competitiveness and culture."
 
Kaitlyn Sanders | G | 5-5 | Miami, FL | Gulliver Prep/Eastern Florida/Rollins
Rollins is a 5-5 guard from Miami that reunites with Coach MJ after spending last season at NCAA Division II member Rollins.  She averaged 11.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists shooting .469 from the field and hit 56 of 128 three-pointers last season.  She led the Sunshine State Conference and ranked fifth in the nation in three-point percentage at .438 while leading the league in assist to turnover ratio, She had a career high 24 points against Saint Leo, nine rebounds at Florida Tech and eight assists at Florida Southern.  She averaged 11.2 points per game and hit 63 of 174 three-pointers in 2021-22 at Eastern Florida State College. She averaged 20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game as a senior at Gulliver Prep and scored 1408 points in her three year varsity career.
MJ on Sanders: Kaitlyn is a walking bucket and a born leader. She has the 'it' factor — a smooth handle, high IQ, and can score it at all three levels. She makes everyone around her better and plays with a mature poise beyond her years.
 
Katiya Casey | G | 5-6 | Crestview, FL | Crestview HS/Pensacola State College
Casey is a 5-6 guard from Crestview Fla. that transfers to Emporia State from Pensacola State College. She averaged 10.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game as a sophomore for the Pirates.  She earned first-team All-Panhandle Conference honors last season. She averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game as a senior for Crestview HS as she led them to the District Championship. She scored 1000 points in her career, graduated Magna Cum Laude and named to Honor Roll all four years.
MJ on Casey: Katiya is TOUGH. She brings grit, intensity, and that dog mentality every coach wants on the floor. She's a lockdown defender, an elite shooter, and most importantly, a competitor who hates to lose.
 
Micah Hanna | G | 5-8 | Ocoee, FL | Ocoee HS/Sante Fe College
Hanna is a 5-8 guard from Ocoee, Fla. that comes to Emporia State after one year at Sante Fe College.  She scored 11.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as a freshman for the Saints on her way to second-team All-Citrus Conference honors. She had career highs of 30 points against Daytona State, 14 rebounds against Pensacola State and six steals against St. Petersburg College. She was a first-team All-Metro performer and was the Female Athlete of the Year for Ocoee HS.
MJ on Hanna: Micah is electric. She has next-level quickness, creative playmaking, and a motor that doesn't stop. She can flip a game in a matter of seconds and is only scratching the surface of her potential.

Maria Luisa Montes | G | 5-10 | Seville, Spain | IES Ciudad Jardin/Central Arizona College
Montes is a 5-10 guard from Sevilla, Spain that will join the Lady Hornets after a two year career at Central Arizona College.  She averaged 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore for the Vaqueras. She scored a career high 24 points against Cuyamaca College and had 13 rebounds against North Idaho College.
MJ on Montes: Maria is extremely versatile and brings valuable experience to the team. She can shoot, handle, rebound, defend — she just impacts winning. Her basketball mind and work ethic are off the charts.
 
Julia Clavero | F | 6-2 | Barcelona, Spain | Basketball Almeda
Clavero is a 6-2 forward from Spain that will have four years of eligibility left with the Lady Hornets. She averaged 10.2 points per game for Basketball Almeda of the LF2 league in Spain with a career high of 20 points in a single game. She was a Champion of Catalonia, finishing 11th in all of Spain.  
MJ on Clavero: Julia brings international experience and a unique inside-out game. She can post up with power, but also knock down threes. Her length and feel for the game make her a key piece for us moving forward.
 
Allison Reese | G | 5-5 | Houston, TX | Summer Creek HS/Paris JC/Independence CC
Reese is a 5-5 guard from Houston, Texas that comes to Emporia State from Independence CC. She averaged 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game as a sophomore for the Pirates. She had back-to-back 20 point games to end the season with a career high 25 against Fort Hays Tech Northwest and 21 at Cowley County CC. She spent her freshman year at Paris Junior College where she averaged 10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. She had 20 points against Hill College and grabbed a career high 11 rebounds against Eastern Oklahoma State College. She was a second-team All-District 21 in Texas Class 6A as a senior for Humble Summer Creek HS. The Lady Bulldogs were 73-8 over her final two seasons.
MJ on Reese: Allison is a floor general with heart. She leads, defends, scores, and competes at a high level. Every team needs an A5 — she plays with purpose and passion every time she hits the hardwood.

These six will join previous signee Vanessa Coleman in the Lady Hornet recruiting class.  Coleman was rated as the 13th best small forward in the state of Oklahoma by Girls Prep Report and led Tulsa Union HS to the Oklahoma Class 6A State Tournament this past season.
 
"This group brings a mix of talent, toughness, and character that will fit perfectly with our returning players," said Baker. "The Hive is buzzing with energy, and we can't wait to get to work."
 
Baker will be in her first season with the Lady Hornets in 2025-26.  She comes to Emporia State after an eight year run at Eastern Florida State College.  She went 183-58 with three conference championships and three trips to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament during her time in Florida.