NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Iona University women's basketball head coach Angelika Szumilo announced the addition of three student-athletes for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Sierra DeAngelo (Pittsburgh, PA), Ella Fajardo (Bergenfield, NJ) and Zoey Ward (Gastonia, NC) have signed to compete for the Gaels next season. DeAngelo, Fajardo and Ward are Szumilo's first recruits since taking over as head coach of the Maroon & Gold.

Sierra DeAngelo is a 6-0 graduate transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson, having played with the Knights under Szumilo for the past four seasons. In four seasons at FDU, DeAngelo played in 104 contests and averaged 7.5 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game. As a senior in 2022-23, DeAngelo played in and started 31 games for the Knights, posting career-best marks in ppg (12.5), rpg (5.0), field goal percentage (48.2%) while averaging more than 30 minutes played per contest. DeAngelo gained valuable postseason experience last season, helping the Knights reach the WNIT where they faced off with the eventual national runner-up Columbia in the opening round. DeAngelo was a 2022-23 All-NEC Second Team honoree and a member of the 2023 NEC All-Tournament Team.

 

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, DeAngelo played scholastically at Oakland Catholic High School where she was a First Team All-Section selection and helped lead her squad to the PIAA Quarterfinals in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Off the court, DeAngelo was a part of the National Honor Society and the Joan of Arc Society programs.

"We are very excited about the addition of Sierra into our Gael family. She is a proven winner and a leader on and off the court. She possesses high-character traits and her second-to-none work ethic and leadership qualities will play an important role in our transition. Sierra had a fantastic senior year which earned her all-conference honors at FDU. She has a knack for scoring. She shoots the three extremely well, can attack the basket and post up. We look forward to Sierra being a major contributor in her final year."

Ella Fajardo is a 5-4 guard who also comes to Iona from Fairleigh Dickinson, having spent the prior two seasons in Teaneck, New Jersey under Szumilo. During the Knights' historical 2022-23 season, Fajardo played in all 32 contests and averaged 7.8 ppg. She made an immediate impact, scoring a career-high 16 points in her first collegiate game on the road at Marquette. Fajardo scored in double-figures in the first four games of the season and reached double-digit points in 14 contests overall.

 

Fajardo has extensive experience on the national stage, competing with the Philippines National Team and earning a bronze medal at the FIBA U18 3x3 Asia Cup as well as finishing eighth out of 20 teams at the FIBA U18 3x3 World Cup. Scholastically, Fajardo played at Gill St. Bernard's where she earned Skyland Conference First Team distinction as a junior and a senior.

"Ella comes to us from FDU where she played a very important role in the team's historical season. Ella is a point guard, but because of her scoring ability she can very easily move to the two spot. She can shoot, attack the basket and create shots for others. She's also gained a lot of valuable experience playing for the Philippines National Team the last two years against powerhouses such as Australia and China. We look forward to Ella having an immediate impact on and off the floor at Iona. Her work ethic, high character and vibrant personality will fit very well into our team."

Zoey Ward is a 6-0 forward from Gastonia, North Carolina who played scholastically at Ashbrook High School before transferring to Concord Academy and reclassifying to the class of 2023. Ward spent two seasons at Ashbrook, helping her squad to Big South 3A regular season and tournament titles. Individually, Ward was named the 2019-20 Big South 3A Player of the Year and earned All-District distinction during her time at Ashbrook.

 

In her final season at Concord Academy, Ward and her team won the NCISAA 3A State Championship. Ward scored a team-high 28 points in the championship, guiding the Eagles to their second state championship in school history. For her efforts during her senior season, Ward was one of four Charlotte-area McDonalds All-America nominees and was a NCISAA Senior All-Star.

"We are thrilled to announce the signing of Zoey into our Gael family. Zoey will be a mismatch on both ends of the court because of her size and strength. She is a big wing with a great ability to attack the basket and post up smaller defenders.  She is also a very proficient outside shooter. We think Zoey is capable of having an immediate impact in a Gael uniform."

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