Women’s Basketball Lands Five Signing Day Commitments

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State head women’s basketball coach Beth Cunningham has announced the commitments of Natasha Barnes, Kaemyn Bekemeier, Kyrah Daniels, Blake O’Grady and Louis Volker. All five will enter Missouri State as freshmen next fall.
 
Louis Volker • F • 6-1 • Fr. • Purcellville, Va. • Paul VI Catholic HS
A four-year high school starter, Volker helped lead Paul VI Catholic High to a state championship as a junior in 2021-22. She was also named to the All-WCAC team and surpassed 1,000^th career points in her junior campaign. Volker spent her first two high school seasons at Loudoun Valley High School, where she was a two-time district and regional champion, while making two appearances in the state semifinals. As a sophomore, Volker earned District and County Player of the Year in addition to being selected to the all-state first team. In her freshman season, she set the school record for most blocked shots in a game (11) and blocks in season (76) to help her earn first-team all-district and all-county honors. Volker also played for the Fairfax Stars of the EYBL. Her father, Clair, played basketball at Fairmont State and her sister, Lee, currently plays basketball at Duke.
 
Coach Cunningham on Volker:
“Louis is a hard-working and versatile post player that has competed at very high levels during both her high school career and on the AAU circuit. She will fit our offensive style well with her ability to face up and facilitate from the forward position. Louis is a proven winner and knows what it takes to be a part of something special.”
 
 
 Kaemyn Bekemeier • G • 5-9 • Fr. • Republic, Mo. • Republic HS
A local product and four-year starter out of Republic High School, Bekemeier averaged 22.8 points and 8 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line as a junior, helping lead the Tigers to a 21-7 record. She is a two-time Central Ozark Conference Player of the Year, a three-time first-team all-conference, all-district and all-state selection and a two-time all-Ozone team honoree. Bekemeier has broken numerous school records, highlighted by breaking the single-game (48) and single-season (639) scoring records during her junior year. As a sophomore, Bekemeier averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds per game, shooting 49 percent from the field and 80 percent from the charity stripe on a 19-8 Tigers team. During Bekemeier’s freshman campaign, she tallied 15.3 points and 5 rebounds per game as she helped lead the Tigers to a 20-10 record and a district championship. She also played basketball for the Missouri Phenom of the EYBL. Her father, Lance, played baseball at Evangel and her mother, Michelle, played basketball at Southwest Baptist University. Bekemeier is also the cousin of Missouri State women’s basketball assistant coach and former Lady Bear, Kenzie Kostas.
 
Coach Cunningham on Bekemeier:
“Kaemyn is a dynamic guard that can score from anywhere on the court, coupled with her ability to defend multiple positions on the other end. She is a great rebounder at the guard position and will be a great fit in our system. She is a local product that truly understands what it means to be a Lady Bear. We are so excited for her to join our Lady Bear family.”
 
 
Kyrah Daniels • G • 6-0 • Fr. • Highlands Ranch, Colo. • ThunderRidge HS
A two-year high school starter, Daniels spent her junior season at Ridgeview High School in Redmond, Oregon where she helped lead her team to an Intermountain Conference championship with a 9-1 record and a third-place finish in the state tournament. After averaging 25.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.0 steals per game in the state tournament, she earned first-team all-tournament honors. Daniels spent her freshman and sophomore seasons in Australia, where her father, David, coached the Lakeside Lightning of the NBL1 semi-professional basketball league. Her mother, Vicki, played college basketball at Penn State University, while her father played basketball in college, was a member of the Canadian National Team that competed in the Olympics, and also played professionally, including a stint with the Denver Nuggets.
 
Coach Cunningham on Daniels:
“Kyrah is a versatile player that has the ability to shoot the ball with range and provide a lot of size in the guard position. She is a scorer. She has a great basketball IQ that will help her make an impact on both ends of the floor. She comes from a basketball family and has a passion for the game that will show in her hard work and dedication to our team. She is going to be a great addition to the Lady Bear program.”
 
 
Blake O’Grady • F • 6-0 • Fr. • Brookline, Mass. • Dexter Southfield School
A 6-0 forward out of Dexter Southfield School (Mass.), O’Grady was named a team captain and averaged 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game as a junior, as she helped lead her team to the NEPSAC semifinals. In her sophomore campaign, she averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. As a freshman, O’Grady was named a NEPSAC all-star after averaging 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game as her team advanced to the NEPSAC championship. She played AAU basketball as a member of the Bay State Jaguars.
 
Coach Cunningham on O’Grady:
“Blake is a player that can play multiple positions on both ends of the floor and can stretch the floor with her shooting ability. She is a high-character kid that is going to bring a lot of energy day in and day out. She will be a perfect fit in our culture and a great teammate to those around her.”
 
 
Natasha Barnes • G • 5-9 • Fr. • Chicago, Ill. • Kenwood Academy
Barnes is a three-year starter out of Kenwood Academy (Ill.). She averaged 24 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game in her last season. Barnes was named to the Oak Lawn Shootout All-Tournament Team and was a 4A All-State honorable mention after posting 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game for the Broncos as a freshman. She also played AAU basketball with the Lady Meanstreets based in Chicago. Her mother, Lekesha, played college basketball at UIC from 1999-2003 and was a first-team All-Horizon League and Horizon League All-Defensive team selection during her career.
 
Coach Cunningham on Barnes:
“Natasha is a combo guard that knows how to score. She can stretch the defense with her ability to shoot the three, along with being able to create and facilitate off the bounce. Coming from a basketball family, Natasha has developed a work ethic and understands what it takes to compete at a high level.”