Two Sign As Terriers For 2016-17 Season
November 16, 2015 | Women's Basketball
BOSTON - Boston University women's basketball head coach Katy Steding announced two newcomers to the 2016-17 roster on Monday afternoon. New England natives Vanessa Edgehill and Nia Irving will join the Terrier squad next season.
"We have brought in two talented, local student-athletes in Vanessa and Nia that will push us to excel at another level," Steding said. "The pair will complement our program and add depth at both positions. Being from New England, both Nia and Vanessa understand and embrace the culture of Boston University and we are excited to implement them into the program."
VANESSA EDGEHILL | 5-8 | COMBO GUARD | FRANKLIN, MASS. - THE RIVERS SCHOOL
Edgehill will be one of two Terriers playing in their home state next season as she joins now-junior Sarah Hope (Medway, Mass.). The Franklin, Mass. native earned All-Independent School League honors in each of her first three seasons and was named a Class A All-New England player during her junior campaign, during which she averaged 13 points per game, seven assists per game and 2.5 steals per game.
With her high school team, Edgehill made it to the Class A finals during her freshman year and Class A semifinals as a sophomore and junior. She is also a member of the Rhode Island Breakers AAU team, ranked in the top-50 nationally, which won two Massachusetts State Championships and a Deep South Championship during her tenure with the team.
Off the court, Edgehill has invested a lot of time serving her local community. She is a member of A Shot for Life, Inc., a cancer research nonprofit organization. Edgehill, along with other high school basketball players, spends her summers raising money for the organization. Additionally, she has served as a coach for the Special Olympics and volunteers for the RISE service program at Rivers that focuses on eliminating gun violence in Massachusetts.
EDGEHILL ON BU: "Since setting foot on campus for the first time during my sophomore year, BU has felt like home to me. Although the campus is non-traditional, the sense of community is overwhelming. I want to go to Boston University because I know that academically and athletically, the school will challenge me and lead me to new heights."
STEDING ON EDGEHILL: "Vanessa is a sharp-shooting combo guard who can drill the three-pointer and has a high basketball-IQ. I get excited just thinking about her wearing the Scarlet and White because of the headiness she brings to the game—no matter what she always makes sure the ball gets to the right place."
NIA IRVING | 6-1 | FORWARD | FAIRFIELD, MAINE - LAWRENCE HS
Irving will be the lone player from Maine next season but will be right at home with assistant coach, Cindy Blodgett, who also played for Lawrence High School. The 2015 Maine State Gatorade Player of the Year, Irving averaged 22.5 points per game, 14.6 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game. She was also a three-time Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A Player of the Year, KVAC Class A First Team member, and Morning Sentinel Player of the Year.
After winning the 2015 Class A State Championship, Irving was named First Team All-State. She has also already reached 1,000 career points and rebounds going into her senior season.
Off the court, Irving volunteers as a basketball coach and at a nursing home. She is also a member of the PRIDE club and is Vice President of her high school’s chapter of the National Honors Society.
IRVING ON BU: "I fell in love with BU when I was in sixth grade. Boston University is known for its academics as well as athletics and I want to be challenged both on and off the court. The coaches and players all made me feel welcomed and a part of the team from the moment I stepped on campus."
STEDING ON IRVING: "Nia is an excellent interior player with a big, strong frame. She's an amazing scorer and rebounder that will excel at this level because of her tenacity in everything that she does."
