BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State women's basketball head coach Angel Elderkin and the coaching staff is excited to announce the signing of four student-athletes for the class of 2020-21.
"We are excited about the future of our women's basketball program and our four newest Mountaineers," coach Elderkin said. "Each year, our coaching staff is tasked with finding the right student-athletes that fit our DNA as a program, while each of these ladies bring something different to the basketball court. They embody the core values of our athletics program. We can't wait to have them immersed in not only our program, but our entire community."
App State inks a quartet of future Mountaineers from three different states in Faith Alston (Virginia), Dane Bertolina (North Carolina), Bailey Trumm (Tennessee) and a Canadian forward in Mackenzie Ash-Smith. Ash-Smith is the sixth international player signed by the Black and Gold since 2017, which is the most in the Sun Belt.
Faith Alston | Guard | 5'7 | Paul VI Catholic High School | Centerville Va.
Alston is a letterwinner under head coach Scott Allen at perennial powerhouse, Paul VI Catholic High School. She was named the Most Valuable Player her junior year and the Most Valuable Defensive Player. Alston helped her squad win the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division 1 State championship in back-to-back seasons. Alston has helped Paul VI off to a 6-0 start and a No. 2 ranking in the DC Area poll, with five of the wins coming in double digits. Voted on by the coaches during travel ball, she was named to multiple AAU All-Star teams while playing for the Loudon Flight under Clair Volker. Born on August 6, 2020, She is the daughter of Shah and Liz Alston. Faith has one sister, Hope. Her relative, Brianna, plays women's soccer at Texas A&M.
Elderkin on Alston: Faith Alston is a super competitive point guard with a limitless amount of energy on both sides of the basketball. Her ability to make plays in transition is a perfect fit for our up-tempo style of play.
Dane Bertolina | Guard | 5'10 | Charlotte Catholic | Charlotte, N.C.
Bertolina plays at Charlotte Catholic under the tutelage of Bobby Conrad, where she has two varsity letters. The in-state product is a back-to-back team MVP, while she was named to the All-Southern Carolinas Conference Team. A year later, she was named the unanimous 2018 SCC Player of the Year and made the all-district squad. As she's progressed through her career, she's improved her numbers each season. In 2018, she turned in 15.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 29 games. She's averaged double figures in back-to-back seasons while posting 809 career points, 244 rebounds, 200 steals, and 148 assists. Through four games this season, she is averaging career highs in scoring (21.8 ppg), rebounding (5.5 rpg) and assists (3.0 apg). She has scored 29 points in two contests with one double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds. Bertolina played her travel ball with the Lady Phoenix for Tony Busby and Delaney Rudd. She was born on April 23, 2002, and is the daughter of Ian and Susannah Bertolina. She has two siblings, Sam and Bella. Her brother is a twin while her sister attends App State.
Angel on Bertolina: Dane is a blue-collar player with a tremendous amount of passion for the game of basketball. Her ability to score on three levels will add to our depth on the perimeter.
Mackenzie Ash-Smith | 6'0 | Forward | Dawson College (Quebec) | Montreal, Quebec
Smith plays for the Dawson College Blues in her home country on the women's division I team. Ash-Smith has been at the forefront of the 7-1 start for the Blues through the first eight games of the season. She is putting up some staggering numbers as her 20.5 points and 15.3 rebounds per game are both first in her league. She is also shooting 50 percent from the field, which is third and sixth in blocks averaging 1.3 per game. She was born on March 9, 2000. Mackenzie is the daughter of Celine Ash. Ash-Smith helped her travel team (TW Bloodhounds) win the Nike Chicago U.S. Junior Nationals. She has two older siblings. Off the court, she likes to play guitar and produce music.
Elderkin on Ash-Smith: Rebounding has been a staple for our program and Mackenzie is a tremendous rebounder. Her versatility and toughness in the paint with be an asset to our program.
Bailey Trumm | Guard | 5'7 | Powell High School | Powell, Tenn.
Trumm is a four-year letter winner under John Fisher. She's put forth a stellar high school career going into her senior season. She was named all-district all three seasons while being named to the All-Prep Xtra Team. The sharpshooter from Tennessee has led the state in 3-pointers made all three seasons and is ninth all-time in state history in trifectas. Most recently, Trumm hit her 300th-career trey, which was just one of the milestones she has reached. She hit the 1,000-point career mark in her junior campaign. So far this season, she has done it all this season, averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. Bailey has averaged double figures all three years of her career. Last season, she posted numbers of 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, which were all career highs. Trumm played for her father on Kentucky Premier during travel ball. Bailey was born on March 14, 2002. She is the daughter of Will and Jennifer Trumm and has one sister, Reagan. She coaches a youth basketball team and likes to work and watch Netflix.
Elderkin on Trumm: Bailey is a prolific shooter and we are excited about her ability to stretch the floor on offense for us. Her countless hours spent in the gym to improve will have a positive impact on our culture.
