Feldhaus Adds Five International Transfers For 2024-25 - Missouri Western State University Athletics (2024)

Women's Basketball 7/5/2024 12:11:00 PM Griffon Sports Insider

Women’s Basketball expands roster size to 13 with the additions

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Newly appointed head coach of Missouri Western Women's Basketball, Ashton Feldhaus, has been busy on the recruiting trail and looks to make an immediate impact in year one with the addition of five international transfers.

This group of veteran transfers features five former NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II players. The new additions include Matilda Soderlund (Stockholm, Sweden / South Plains HS), Laura Toffali (Villasanta, Italy / Limonta Costa Masnaga), Jessica Ford (Marlborough, England / John Madejski Academy), Marie Sepp (Tallinn, Estonia / Audentese Spordigümnaasium) and Malgorzata Byczkowska (Gdynia, Poland / The Independent School).

The Griffons will look to build off an impressive showing from last season that saw them collect their seventh MIAA Regular Season Championship and punch their ticket to the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament.

#5 Matilda Soderlund (S, 5-6, Sr., Stockholm Sweden / South Plains HS / Morehead State)
Soderlund joins Missouri Western following a stint with Morehead State, where she played in all 30 games with five starts last season. She led the Eagles with 45 three-point jumpers made, tallying at 34.9% shooting percentage from behind the arch. In addition to strong shooting, she collected 17 rebounds, 12 assists and seven steals. The Stockholm, Sweden native had a career day against Davis Elkins, as the shooter collected a career-high 24 points on a 9-17 (.529) shooting performance. Before joining Morehead State, Soderlund attended South Plains College for two seasons.

Coach Feldhaus on Soderlund: "We are excited to add an experienced guard to our roster like Matilda. She shot 35% from beyond the arc last season at Morehead State University. She has a great basketball IQ and was an efficient scorer at the D1 level. Her ability to knock down open shots, attack the rim and handle the ball will fit great with our style of play. We are excited to welcome Matilda to St. Joseph!"

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 ✍️

Matilda is officially a Griffon! Welcome to St. Joseph 🦅🦁⬆️ pic.twitter.com/MkMdp2YswG

— Griffon WBB 🏀 (@GriffonWBB) May 8, 2024

#10 Laura Toffali (S, 5-9, Jr., Villasanta, Italy / Limonta Costa Masnaga / Kennesaw State)
Toffali joins Missouri Western after completing two seasons at Kennesaw State. With the Owls, she appeared in 36 games with four starts. She collected 114 points, 33 steals, 31 rebounds and 21 assists during her time in The Peach State. The Villasanta, Italy native showed out against Providence last season with a career-high nine points after netting three shots from behind the arch, while adding a trio of steals and an assist.

Coach Feldhaus on Toffali: "Laura is a great addition to our perimeter with her ability to extend the defense and shoot with range. She has a high motor on both ends of the floor and is a very unselfish player. Her skills, work ethic and infectious personality will be a great addition to our roster both on and off the floor. Our staff is excited to announce Laura as a Griffon!"

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 ✍️

Officially a Griffon! Welcome, Laura 💛 pic.twitter.com/vhANX0rNLW

— Griffon WBB 🏀 (@GriffonWBB) May 8, 2024

#22 Jessica Ford (S, 5-11, Jr., (Marlborough, England / John Madejski Academy / EckerdCollege)
A familiar face that has experience playing for Feldhaus, Ford joins Missouri Western after previously competing at Eckerd College. With the Tritons, she appeared in 31 games with 22 starts, averaging 6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds a game. Additionally, the shooter collected 141 rebounds, 41 assists, 15 steals and seven blocks. The Marlborough, England native had a career day against Tampa with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. Before her time at Eckerd, she played at Colorado Northwestern Community College, where she was named WEABL Most Improved Player (2021-22) and was selected to the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic (2022).

Coach Feldhaus on Ford: "Jessica brings a wealth of DII experience having won the Sunshine State Conference Tournament last season as well as being named to the All-Tournament Team. Her size and length will add to her effectiveness on both ends of the floor. She is also a proven shooter on the perimeter closing out her last 10 games of the season at 42% from '3'. She is a no-brainer when it comes to the culture of our program and we are excited to announce Jessica as a Griffon!"

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 ✍️

Welcome to Griff Nation, Jessie🖤 pic.twitter.com/MYCWbXJfwz

— Griffon WBB 🏀 (@GriffonWBB) May 8, 2024

#30 Marie Sepp (S, 5-5, Jr., (Tallinn, Estonia / Audentese Spordigümnaasium / Albany)
Sepp joins Missouri Western after a two-year stint at Albany. She appeared in 37 games with 28 points, 17 rebounds, 11 assists and five steals for the Great Danes. Last season against Vermont, she collected a career-high five points and two rebounds. In addition to competing at the collegiate level, the Tallinn, Estonia native has represented her country at the European Championships (2021-22), while also appearing on the U16 and U18 teams.

Coach Feldhaus on Sepp: "We were so impressed with Marie throughout the recruiting process. She brings a wealth of knowledge from the D1 level coming from a very successful UAlbany program. Her grit and toughness will be highly effective for our program on both ends of the floor. She is a strong point guard who facilitates the offense and leads her teammates with positive energy. Her character will fit in great with our team and we are excited to have her on board!"

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 ✍️

Welcome to the family, Marie! 🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/ttp9aykenl

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— Griffon WBB 🏀 (@GriffonWBB) May 8, 2024

#33 Malgorzata Byczkowska (S, 5-11, Jr., (Gdynia, Poland / The Independent School / Tarleton State)
Byczkowska joins Missouri Western after previously competing at Tarleton State. She clocked in 52 minutes in nine appearances for the Texans in her sophom*ore campaign last season. Prior to her time with TSU, the Gdynia, Poland native shined at the NJCAA level, earning WJCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition at Howard College, where she averaged 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds a game in 2022-23.

Coach Feldhaus on Byczkowska: "Gosia is a versatile guard with great size. She has the ability to stretch the floor with her shooting as well as play some back to the basket. She uses her length to create an advantage for herself and her teammates. She has a knack for rebounding the ball on both ends of the floor. We are looking forward to having her on board!"

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 ✍️

It's official, she's a Griff! 🦅🦁⬆️ pic.twitter.com/Lbi9TIwFbq

— Griffon WBB 🏀 (@GriffonWBB) May 8, 2024