MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State University head women's basketball coach Tom Webb announced on Thursday, one four-year transfer and two high school standouts, have signed letters of intent and will join the SMSU program for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
 
Natalie Nielsen, a transfer from South Dakota State University, recently signed with the program and will join high school players, Kadence Hesse from Sleepy Eye, Minn., and Nicole Maenke from Shakopee, Minn., who signed with the program during the early signing period last November.
 
"This recruiting class joins an already talented, experienced and hungry roster as we continue to pursue excellence as a program," Webb said. "These three new additions bring not only proven skill sets, but also-- and maybe even more importantly--competitive drive and a commitment to all things team."  
 
Nielsen, a 6-foot-3 forward and a native of Akron, Iowa, spent two seasons at South Dakota State University. Following a redshirt season in 2022-23, Nielsen played in nine games this past season for SDSU, which won The Summit League and advanced to the NCAA tournament. Nielsen, who missed time during the season with an injury, played a career-high nine minutes with a field goal and two rebounds versus NCAA champion South Carolina and added a career-high seven points with three rebounds versus Washburn University. She has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
 
"Natalie is a tough competitor who brings skill, physicality, size, and high-level experience to our team," Webb said. "As Natalie continues to develop, we 're excited about her ability to be a difference maker around the rim."
 
A 2022 graduate of Akron-Westfield High School, Nielsen was a four-time all-conference and three-time all-district honoree. She ranks first in team history with 810 rebounds and is the program's second all-time leading scorer with 1,289 points. She averaged 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as a senior. Nielsen was also a member of the golf, softball and volleyball teams, earning all-state accolades in all three sports.
 
Hesse, a 5-foot-11 guard at Sleepy Eye High School, closed her career as the program's all-time leader in points, steals and assists. She finished her career scoring 2,750 points, grabbing 1,020 rebounds, dishing out 526 assists and recording 529 steals. A five-time all-conference honoree, including twice being named Tomahawk Conference Player of the Year, she was also twice named the New Ulm Journal Player of the Year. She was an all-state honoree following her junior season and was named all-state honorable mention as a senior. A two-time Academic All-State honoree, she averaged 23.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 5.5 steals as a senior helping lead Sleepy Eye to a share of the conference championship.
 
"Kadence is a long, skilled guard that can score on the perimeter and finish at the rim," Webb said. "As she makes the transition to college basketball, Kadence will have the opportunity to learn from and grow alongside of some of the best guards in the NSIC on the court in Mustang practices every day."
 
Maenke, a 5-foot-10 guard at Shakopee High School, missed her senior season due to an injury. As a junior, she averaged 13.5 points, 4.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals, while shooting 52 percent from the field in earning all-conference honors. An academic all-state honoree, she also earned all-conference accolades in track & field.
 
"Nicole is a gifted athlete that can play multiple positions and has the ability to score on many levels," Webb said. "Though she missed her senior season due to injury, she has continued to grow in ways that will undoubtedly serve her well in her collegiate journey. Nicole will also benefit from a competitive roster of scorers whose collegiate experiences will accelerate her return to competitive action."   
 
SMSU, located in Marshall, is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Mustangs finished the 2023-24 season 19-12 overall, finished fifth in the 15-team NSIC with a 15-7 record and advanced to the NSIC tournament semifinals for the second straight season. SMSU has won a combined 38 games the past two seasons, which is the program's highest two-year win total since the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.