Stacia Robertson Returns to HPU Women’s Basketball for 2014-15 Season

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Redshirt-senior Stacia Robertson will return to the High Point University women’s basketball team for the 2014-15 season, head coach DeUnna Hendrix announced Tuesday. Robertson was a first-team All-Big South selection last year.

Robertson originally decided to graduate after the 2013-14 season but after a few months away from the game approached the coaching staff about returning. With one year of eligibility remaining the team welcomed her back.

“I met with the coaches a few times this summer to see if it was a possibility,” Robertson said. “Four years of Div. I basketball takes a toll on your body and last year I thought I was making the right decision to graduate but I missed being a part of this team. I am so thankful they welcomed me back for one more year and I can’t wait to get back in the gym with them. We have such a talented group of post players this year that it is not guaranteed I will start. The team worked so hard this summer and I wasn’t there so I have to work twice as hard this fall to earn minutes.”

Last year Robertson was named to the All-Big South first team and helped High Point to the Big South regular season title. She started all 33 games and averaged 12.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. She led the team with 290 rebounds, 76 steals and 60 blocks. The forward ranked second in the Big South with her 60 blocks and 1.82 per game.

“After everything Stacia has done for this program it was a pretty easy decision to bring her back,” Hendrix said. “But we let the upperclassmen have a vote and they welcomed her back without hesitation. She adds experience and leadership to a very special group. This is a special time for High Point women’s basketball.”

With Robertson’s return, Hendrix has all five starters back from last year’s WNIT team. Along with Robertson, the Panthers welcome back Big South Freshman of the Year Kaylah Keys, Latrice Phelps, Teddy Vincent and Ashante Richard. DeAnneisha Jackson, Lindsay Puckett and Maja Michalska also return as key contributors.

The Panthers have seven newcomers on the roster including juniors Aariel Allen and Lydia Harvey. The four freshmen on the team are Kat Harris, Hunter Fleming, Kennedy Currie and Abby Tinsley. Katie Vincent, a senior on the HPU volleyball team will also join the women’s basketball team when the volleyball season ends.