PASADENA, Calif. (July 20, 2017) – Caltech women's basketball will add four newcomers to bring its roster to 11 scholar-athletes spanning just three classes, with no seniors listed for the 2017-18 academic year.
Kali Drango (Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lake Oswego)
Paulina Ridland (Crestline, Calif. / Rim of the World)
Lauren Suezaki (San Ramon, Calif. / California)
Amy Wang (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Pine Creek)
"I'm excited to add this group of rookies to what is already an experienced squad despite its youth," first-year Head Coach Bridgette Reyes said. "These recruits help us cover every position to where we have options for substitutions and game plans. I can't wait to have everyone together on campus and start building our team culture."
Kali Drango
Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lake Oswego
5-9, Wing/Forward
Drango headlines the class as a four-year Varsity letterwinner in basketball and two-year letterwinner in track & field. A member of the National Honor Society and four-year fixture on the Honor Roll, she is a versatile forward with range out to the three-point line.
"Kali is a strong shooter, especially from the corner three spot," Reyes said. "She has a high basketball IQ and is a good communicator on defense who can play on the wing and transition into posting up when needed."
Paulina Ridland
Crestline, Calif. / Rim of the World
5-6, Guard
A four-year Varsity CIF Academic athlete, Ridland was also co-Valedictorian at Rim of the World High School.
"Paulina took some time off from basketball after injury, but brings an intense focus on defense and has an eye for passing," Reyes.
Lauren Suezaki
San Ramon, Calif. / California
5-3, Guard
A three-year Varsity player and team captain as a senior, Suezaki received the Coach's Award each of her last two seasons, leading California High School to a 22-8 record a year after the graduation of SCIAC Newcomer of the Year Grace Peng. She is a member of the National Honor Society and made the Honor Roll all four years while also earning the US Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award and serving as an officer for the California Scholarship Federation.
"Lauren is a tough, physical player who will go after every rebounds and is aggressive on defense," Reyes said. "She is coachable and willing to share the ball on offense, but also recognizes when to take it to the basket herself."
Amy Wang
Colorado Springs, Colo. / Pine Creek
5-6, Guard
A versatile wing player in high school, Wang was her class Valedictorian, an AIME and Knowledge Bowl qualifier and National Merit Finalist. She also qualified for the state championships in tennis as a singles player after claiming her regional title.
"Amy is a good shooter who tends to score her points on jump shots or driving at openings," Reyes said. "She is particularly adept at surveying the court and making good passes."
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