A physical presence in the post has been missing from the Dickinson State women's basketball team since Kia Herbel finished her career in 2010.
In his first batch of signings for the 2012-13 recruiting class, DSU head coach Andre Goldberg inked a pair of players he hopes can bring a little of that back to the program.
The Blue Hawks have signed high school centers Emily Wolf of New Salem-Almont and Jalyn Klauzer of Baker, Mont., along with guard Sierra Bayles of Broadus, Mont.
Wolf averaged 16.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game for the Holsteins. The 5-foot-11 senior was a North Dakota Class B second team all-state selection. As a junior, she averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds a game with 80 blocked shots.
"She's got great hands, finishes extremely well around the basket and just has a real knack for rebounding," Goldberg said. "She's really going to help us in the frontcourt and just her size as well."
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Wolf said she felt that DSU fit her style.
"Right from the beginning, I knew that's where I wanted to go play," Wolf said. "I loved the style that they play. After meeting with the coach, I knew that's where I wanted to go."
Klauzer is the younger sister of former All-America linebacker Kylan Klauzer, who starred for the DSU football team from 2002 to 2005.
The 6-foot senior was a three-time Montana Class B all-state selection and averaged 16.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game this season.
"She operates really well on the block and finishes really well," Goldberg said. "She has a nice 15-foot game, as does Emily."
Klauzer said she was drawn to DSU because of the fan base and proximity to home. Baker is about two hours from Dickinson.
She and Wolf both know that they may be asked to step in and play quality minutes too.
"I guess I'm just kind of looking forward to putting some work in and seeing where it gets me," Klauzer said.
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Said Wolf: "It's good to know there's a spot for me and that I'll be able to blend in with the team and they can use me."
Klauzer and Bayles played for the Class B East all-star team in the Treasure State Classic tournament, which was held two weekends ago.
Bayles is a 5-7 shooting guard who averaged 11 points per game. She was a Montana Class B, all-District 3 selection playing under head coach Ashley Emmons, a former Blue Hawk standout.
"Playing for Ashley out there, she (Emmons) has them playing really hard and she (Bayles) just gets after it on defense," Goldberg said.
Goldberg said he hopes to add some junior college recruits to the roster in the near future.
DSU loses center Mandy Mullock and guards Kylee Bittner and Jessica Nieves from last season's team.
