Aberdeen, SD (NSUWolves.com) – Northern State University head coach Kaley Ness announced five additions to her first signing class today. Sydney Anderson (Wayzata, Minn.), Hailey Cota (Woodville, Wis.), Alicia Jeanson (Lakeville, Minn.), Riley O’Connell (Shoreview, Minn.), Kinsley Stover (Papillion, Neb.), and Shayla Warak (Papillion, Neb.) will join the Wolves in the fall of 2025.
“We are excited to officially welcome Hailey, Shayla, Kinsley, Sydney, Alicia, and Riley to our Wolves softball family,” noted Ness. “These individuals are not only dedicated students and driven athletes, but, more importantly, they are outstanding people who align with the vision of NSU softball. This recruiting class is made up of talented student-athletes who will each make a meaningful impact on our program. All six of them will be valuable additions to both Northern and the Aberdeen community.”
Sydney Anderson – Infield, Wayzata, Minn. / Wayzata HS
Sydney Anderson is a 5-foot-8 infielder out of Wayzata High School. She is a 4-year starter and senior team captain for the Trojans under the direction of head coach Amy Kotzmacher. Anderson hit .386 a season ago with 34 hits, including five doubles and two homeruns, as well as 18 RBI. She is a 2-time all-conference selection and 2-time Section 6AAA All-Tournament team member. Anderson is a member of the Minnesota Vortex where she hit .440 in the fall of 2024 with 20 RBI, three doubles, and two homeruns. She is the daughter of Kent and Amylou Anderson.
Hailey Cota – Shortstop, Woodville, Wis. / Baldwin-Woodville HS
Hailey Cota is a 5-foot-9 shortstop out of Baldwin-Woodville High School. She is a 2-year starter for the Blackhawks under the direction of head coach Tim Klatt. Cota tallied a career best average of .485 in the spring of 2022. She is a 2-time MBC All-Conference selection and 2023 all-district second team pick. BWHS won the conference and regional championships in both 2022 and 2023, advancing to the Wisconsin State Tournament in the spring of 2022. Cota is a member of the Minnesota Bombers and Mission Fastpitch. She hit .442 with a .510 on-base percentage, and .674 slugging percentage. She is the daughter of Rich and Sara Cota.
Alicia Jeanson – Infield, Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville North HS
Alicia Jeanson is a middle infielder out of Lakeville North High School. She is a 4-year starter and senior team captain for the Panthers under the direction of head coach Scott Halupczok. Jeanson is a 3-time South Suburban All-Conference selection and a MSHSL State Tournament participant with LNHS in 2021. She is also a member of the Minnesota Bombers program, winning three straight state tournaments from 2021-23. In the fall of 2024, Jeanson tallied a .314 average, 26 stolen bases, and four homeruns. She is the daughter of Brian and Tiffany Jeanson.
Riley O’Connell – Pitcher, Shoreview, Minn. / Centennial HS
Riley O’Connell is a pitcher out of Centennial High School. She is a 5-year starter and team captain for the Cougars under the direction of head coach Rick Thomas. From 2023-24, O’Connell threw 239 innings with 287 strikeouts and ERAs under 2.00. She is a 4-time Northwest Suburban All-Conference selection, 3-time all-section team member, and 2024 all-metro team honoree. O’Connell is a member of the Midwest Speed program. She is the daughter of Mark and Jennifer O’Connell.
Kinsley Stover – Utility, Papillion, Neb. / Papillion LaVista South
Kinsley Stover is a 5-foot-5 utility player out of Papillion LaVista South. She was a 4-year starter for the Titans under the direction of head coach Tom Horton. Stover hit .482 as a junior and .497 as a senior. She was a 4-time all-state selection, all-metro honoree, all-region member, and academic team pick. Papillion LaVista South won the district championship her freshman and sophomore seasons. She is the daughter of Amy Stover.
Shayla Warak – Outfield, Papillion, Neb. / Papillion LaVista South
Shayla Warak is a 5-foot-6 outfielder out of Papillion LaVista South. She was a 4-year starter for the Titans under the direction of head coach Tom Horton. Warak held a career average of .430, including a season best mark of .510 in 2023. She was a 3-time all-academic and all-metro team member, a 2023 NFCA All-Region selection, and 2024 all-state honoree. She is the daughter of Nick and Carrie Warak.