Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Insell announces addition of four new Lady Raiders
11/15/2018 1:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Signing Period underway for 2019 Class
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Head Women's Basketball Coach Rick Insell has announced the addition of four student-athletes to the Lady Raider program, including the first McDonald's All-American in program history.
Middle Tennessee had three student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent (NLIs) and another sign a grant-in-aid on the first day of the NCAA Early Signing Period Wednesday.
Joining Middle Tennessee in the Class of 2019 are Tennessee transfer Anastasia Hayes, who has signed a grant-in-aid, along with prep standouts Aislynn Hayes, a 5-foot-7 guard from Murfreesboro; Taylor Lewis, a 5-foot-10 small forward from Columbia, S.C.; and Kiya Turner, a 5-foot-6 guard from Ponte Vedra, Fla.
"We are delighted with this outstanding signing class," Insell said. "We absolutely filled some needs and were able to add some outstanding young ladies to our program with this group. I believe our fans will be excited to watch them compete as Lady Raiders. I know I am thrilled.
"I also want to thank our coaches for the outstanding job they did in the recruiting process. Kim (Brewton), Matt (Insell) and Shalon (Pillow) worked tirelessly. I can't thank my coaches enough for the work they put in on the recruiting trail."
Anastasia Hayes | Guard | 5-7 | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | University of Tennessee
Heralded guard Anastasia Hayes has signed a grant-in-aid with Middle Tennessee after transferring from Tennessee.
Hayes is a four-time prep All-American and was named the Sixth Woman of the Year in the Southeastern Conference in 2017-18. Following a brilliant prep career at Riverdale High School, Anastasia was named WBCA All-American, Naismith All-American, McDonalds All-American and MaxPreps First-Team All-American. She also earned an invite to play in the prestigious Jordan Brand Classic.
"Anytime you bring a McDonalds All-American into your program it just shows you are bringing in the top young ladies in the country, and Anastasia Hayes has certainly proven she is that," Insell said. "Anastasia brings quickness, toughness and the winning attitude we need at Middle Tennessee. We are very happy to have Anastasia Hayes in our program."
While at Tennessee, Anastasia Hayes was the first player off of the bench 27 times and scored double figures 18 times. Her career high for scoring was 17 points against defending national champion South Carolina. She also averaged 3.5 assists per game, which was fourth all-time for a Lady Vol freshman.
In addition to her All-American status at Riverdale, Anastasia Hayes was the No. 7-rated player in the country in 2017. She was named a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year (2017), the Gatorade Tennessee Girls Player of the Year (2017), Tennessee Class AAA Miss Basketball (2017) and a three-time All-State selection (2015-17).
Aislynn Hayes | Guard | 5-6 | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Riverdale HS
Exceptional combo guard Aislynn Hayes has signed with Middle Tennessee after being named most valuable player of the 2018 Class AAA state basketball tournament. Hayes was instrumental in helping lead Riverdale to its third straight state title.
"(Aislynn) is just a very unique individual and a tremendous, tremendous basketball talent," Insell said. "I believe the young lady is a premier point guard who exhibits great vision, has a great basketball mind and can shoot the basketball extremely well. Aislynn has all of those intangibles you look for in a point guard. She is a quick, hard-nosed talent. We are delighted to have her join the Lady Raider family."
Aislynn Hayes has a chance to lead Riverdale to a fourth-straight Class AAA state title in 2018-19, a feat that has not been accomplished at the highest level of Tennessee High School girls basketball since Insell's Shelbyville HS teams won four straight from 1988-1992.
"Not many people get to do what Aislynn has a chance to do at Riverdale this year, especially at that level," Insell said. "We are really excited to have her in our program for the next four years."
Aislynn Hayes enjoyed a breakout junior campaign when she averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 steals. She shot a sizzling 52 percent from the field overall and a very impressive 38 percent from 3-point range.
Taylor Lewis | Guard | 5-10 | Columbia, S.C. | Spring Valley HS
Taylor Lewis is an exceptional 5-10 talent who will play the 3 and 4 positions for the Lady Raiders.
Insell compared Lewis to current Lady Raider Anna Jones as far as what to expect.
"Taylor brings some length and she can play the 3 or 4, much like Anna Jones," Insell said. "She can slash with the basketball. It just looks like she was born with a basketball in her hands. It is just part of her. Taylor has great vision, she knows how to compete. Taylor is a tough-minded young lady that knows how to go out and get a win."
Lewis averaged 15.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.1 steals per game as a junior at Spring Valley. Not only is she a strong offensive presence from the inside or out, but she is also a tenacious defender.
Kiya Turner| Guard | 5-6 | Ponte Vedra, Fla. | Ponte Vedra, Fla.
Kiya Turner is a dynamic combo guard who brings an electric style of play to the Lady Raiders.
The cousin of Ebony Rowe, Middle Tennessee's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Turner plays at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Fla.
"Kiya is a winner," Insell said. "She sees the court well and she can play three different positions, the 1, 2 or 3. She is small in stature but big in heart. She will do what it takes because she wants to win. She is a team player with a great attitude. All she wants to do is win, and we like that."
Turner averaged 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game at Ponte Vedra last season.
Middle Tennessee had three student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent (NLIs) and another sign a grant-in-aid on the first day of the NCAA Early Signing Period Wednesday.
Joining Middle Tennessee in the Class of 2019 are Tennessee transfer Anastasia Hayes, who has signed a grant-in-aid, along with prep standouts Aislynn Hayes, a 5-foot-7 guard from Murfreesboro; Taylor Lewis, a 5-foot-10 small forward from Columbia, S.C.; and Kiya Turner, a 5-foot-6 guard from Ponte Vedra, Fla.
"We are delighted with this outstanding signing class," Insell said. "We absolutely filled some needs and were able to add some outstanding young ladies to our program with this group. I believe our fans will be excited to watch them compete as Lady Raiders. I know I am thrilled.
"I also want to thank our coaches for the outstanding job they did in the recruiting process. Kim (Brewton), Matt (Insell) and Shalon (Pillow) worked tirelessly. I can't thank my coaches enough for the work they put in on the recruiting trail."
Anastasia Hayes | Guard | 5-7 | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | University of Tennessee
Heralded guard Anastasia Hayes has signed a grant-in-aid with Middle Tennessee after transferring from Tennessee.
Hayes is a four-time prep All-American and was named the Sixth Woman of the Year in the Southeastern Conference in 2017-18. Following a brilliant prep career at Riverdale High School, Anastasia was named WBCA All-American, Naismith All-American, McDonalds All-American and MaxPreps First-Team All-American. She also earned an invite to play in the prestigious Jordan Brand Classic.
"Anytime you bring a McDonalds All-American into your program it just shows you are bringing in the top young ladies in the country, and Anastasia Hayes has certainly proven she is that," Insell said. "Anastasia brings quickness, toughness and the winning attitude we need at Middle Tennessee. We are very happy to have Anastasia Hayes in our program."
While at Tennessee, Anastasia Hayes was the first player off of the bench 27 times and scored double figures 18 times. Her career high for scoring was 17 points against defending national champion South Carolina. She also averaged 3.5 assists per game, which was fourth all-time for a Lady Vol freshman.
In addition to her All-American status at Riverdale, Anastasia Hayes was the No. 7-rated player in the country in 2017. She was named a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year (2017), the Gatorade Tennessee Girls Player of the Year (2017), Tennessee Class AAA Miss Basketball (2017) and a three-time All-State selection (2015-17).
Aislynn Hayes | Guard | 5-6 | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Riverdale HS
Exceptional combo guard Aislynn Hayes has signed with Middle Tennessee after being named most valuable player of the 2018 Class AAA state basketball tournament. Hayes was instrumental in helping lead Riverdale to its third straight state title.
"(Aislynn) is just a very unique individual and a tremendous, tremendous basketball talent," Insell said. "I believe the young lady is a premier point guard who exhibits great vision, has a great basketball mind and can shoot the basketball extremely well. Aislynn has all of those intangibles you look for in a point guard. She is a quick, hard-nosed talent. We are delighted to have her join the Lady Raider family."
Aislynn Hayes has a chance to lead Riverdale to a fourth-straight Class AAA state title in 2018-19, a feat that has not been accomplished at the highest level of Tennessee High School girls basketball since Insell's Shelbyville HS teams won four straight from 1988-1992.
"Not many people get to do what Aislynn has a chance to do at Riverdale this year, especially at that level," Insell said. "We are really excited to have her in our program for the next four years."
Aislynn Hayes enjoyed a breakout junior campaign when she averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 steals. She shot a sizzling 52 percent from the field overall and a very impressive 38 percent from 3-point range.
Taylor Lewis | Guard | 5-10 | Columbia, S.C. | Spring Valley HS
Taylor Lewis is an exceptional 5-10 talent who will play the 3 and 4 positions for the Lady Raiders.
Insell compared Lewis to current Lady Raider Anna Jones as far as what to expect.
"Taylor brings some length and she can play the 3 or 4, much like Anna Jones," Insell said. "She can slash with the basketball. It just looks like she was born with a basketball in her hands. It is just part of her. Taylor has great vision, she knows how to compete. Taylor is a tough-minded young lady that knows how to go out and get a win."
Lewis averaged 15.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.1 steals per game as a junior at Spring Valley. Not only is she a strong offensive presence from the inside or out, but she is also a tenacious defender.
Kiya Turner| Guard | 5-6 | Ponte Vedra, Fla. | Ponte Vedra, Fla.
Kiya Turner is a dynamic combo guard who brings an electric style of play to the Lady Raiders.
The cousin of Ebony Rowe, Middle Tennessee's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Turner plays at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Fla.
"Kiya is a winner," Insell said. "She sees the court well and she can play three different positions, the 1, 2 or 3. She is small in stature but big in heart. She will do what it takes because she wants to win. She is a team player with a great attitude. All she wants to do is win, and we like that."
Turner averaged 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game at Ponte Vedra last season.
Players Mentioned
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