ELON, N.C.—The Elon University women's basketball team recently announced the signing of Hannah Dereje, Raven Preston, Alyssa Wadkovsky, Regina Walton, Ruby Willard and Chloe Williams. They will begin their collegiate careers with the Phoenix in the 2022-23 season.
 
"We are tremendously excited to welcome our 2022 Signing Class to Elon," said head coach Charlotte Smith. "My staff and I have meticulously handpicked these six amazing young women to join us next year and become the future of our program. We are blessed they chose Elon and they all come from incredible families and have played for top-notch coaches throughout their playing careers."
 
Hannah Dereje | 6-4 | Forward | Burtonsville, N.C. | Elizabeth Seton High School

• Three-year varsity player at Elizabeth Seton High School under head coach David Bell
• Averaging 10 rebounds and two blocks per game

 
What Coach Smith had to Say About Hannah
"Hannah's combination of size and skill are impressive. She has great hands and footwork in the low post and is comfortable facing up and knocking down shots. She runs the floor hard and buries smaller defenders for easy scores. Hannah intimidates opposing drivers when they get into the paint with her length and shot blocking ability."
 
 
Raven Preston | 6-0 | Guard | Greensboro, N.C. | Quality Education Academy

• National champion as well as National Championship MVP as a junior
• 2019 state champion
• 2020 co-state champion
• Two time all-state first team
• 2019 and 2020 all-area honoree
• 2020 first team all-district selection
• Two-time first team all-conference

 
What Coach Smith had to Say About Raven
"Raven is a Swiss Army knife of sorts. She leaves her mark on the game in a variety of ways, and she is effective in multiple roles; she scores, facilitates, defends and rebounds. Raven is also an excellent passer and knows when and where to find her teammates. She makes everyone around her better and that is a special talent."
 
 
Alyssa Wadkovsky | 6-2 | Forward | Denver, N.C. | Lake Norman High School 

• Two time all-conference honoree
• Broke her high school's record for single-season rebounds (250)
• Averaged a double-double as a junior with 13.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per game

 
What Coach Smith had to Say About Alyssa
"It has been fun to watch Aly develop over the past few years. She possesses a motor you have to respect. Aly is strong and physical and she sets amazing screens for her teammates which often lead to open shots for her. She has worked on stretching her range out behind the three-point line and I am excited to see her become a dual threat both inside and out."
 
 
Regina Walton | 5-3 | Guard | Capitol Heights, Md. | Elizabeth Seton High School
 

• 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Maryland
• Four-year player at Elizabeth Seton High School under head coach David Bell

 
What Coach Smith had to Say About Regina
"Regina is a calming presence as a point guard. She is heady, smart, quick as a cat and can score at all three levels. Regina has a knack for knowing when to feed her teammates and when to be aggressive herself. She is difficult to stay in front of when she has the ball and can pester even the best ball-handler. I am excited to see her grow and develop in the point guard role."
 
 
Ruby Willard | 5-9 | Guard | Bozeman, Mont.  | San Dieguito Academy

• Two time first team all-league selection
• 2019 second team all-league honoree
• Finished in the top five in her high school's history in single-season points as a junior (354)
• Broke her school's single-season assists record as a freshman (80)   

 
What Coach Smith had to Say About Ruby
"Ruby's toughness and skill set stands out immediately when watching her play.  She is a strong wing that competes on both ends and is a consummate team player.  Her willingness to do the dirty work, while also being a scoring threat, may go unnoticed by some but is imperative to winning games. Ruby is a competitor."
 

Chloe Williams | 6-0 | Guard | Wake Forest, N.C. | Heritage High School

•  Four-year player at Heritage High School under head coach Pat Kennedy
• 2021 All-Northern Athletic Conference-6 honoree
• Three-time academic all-conference selection

What Coach Smith had to Say About Chloe
"Chloe has a dominant presence on the court. Her size, strength and athleticism are a matchup nightmare for her defenders. Chloe can be difficult to stop on the offensive end when she gets going has the ability to lock up the opposing team's best scorer. She is only beginning to scratch the surface of the player she can be."