Eastern Michigan Athletics
Women's Basketball Inks Three on National Signing Day
11/10/2021 5:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Eagles are set to welcome three top-tier high school players to next season's roster
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Sixth-year Eastern Michigan University women's basketball head coach Fred Castro announced the signing of three high school seniors to National Letters of Intent Tuesday, Nov. 10. The Eagles inked Dara Capaldi (Madison Heights, Mich.-La Lumiere (Ind.)), Sophia Nittinger (Webster Groves, Mo.-Webster Groves), and Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind.-South Side).
"This class of 2022 gives us great balance, covering the point guard, wing, and post positions," said Castro. "All three of these student-athletes come from great families that value work ethic. I'm not only excited about the talent of these young women, but the character that they display on a daily basis."
Castro also praised his staff for their efforts in helping to build the 2022 class, as well as his current student-athletes for the roles they play in the success of the program.
"This great class is made possible by the tremendous efforts by my coaching staff and our players who represent EMU and our program in such a positive way," remarked Castro.
Dara Capaldi G 5-9 Fr.-Fr. Madison Heights, Mich.-La Lumiere (Ind.)
EMU: Joins the EMU basketball program as an incoming signee...HIGH SCHOOL: Attends La Lumiere High School and plays under Head Coach Matthew Marvin as a Laker...Has earned two varsity letters and has been named a team captain on three different occasions...Averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks per contest in her most recent prep campaign...Helped lead her high school team to a 2020 Indiana state championship...Has earned first team all-county and conference MVP honors during her prep career to date...Also played as a member of The Factory AAU basketball team when not participating for La Lumiere...Rated as a top-125 player in the State of Indiana, according to MaxPreps...PERSONAL: Full Name: Dara Marie Capaldi...Daughter of Jerry Capaldi and Deborah Moss...Has one brother, Antonio, and one sister, Lydia...Major: Social work/Psychology intent.
"Dara comes from a basketball family, so it's in her DNA," said Castro. "Dara has great size for a guard; combined with her athleticism and IQ, she has the potential to be an elite defender. Her explosiveness allows her to finish at the rim against guards and posts. She will also stretch defenses with her ability to shoot the three."
Sophia Nittinger C 6-2 Fr.-Fr. Webster Groves, Mo.-Webster Groves
EMU: Joins the EMU basketball program as an incoming signee...HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Webster Groves High School and plays under Head Coach Josh Sphul...Has played on the varsity squad in each of her four years...Has led the team in rebounds in each of her last two seasons...Recorded a school-record 57 blocks during the 2020-21 campaign...Was named a second team all-conference honoree in 2021...Helped lead the Statesmen to a Missouri State High School Activities Association runner-up finish a season ago...Is a member of the Players First travel basketball organization under Head Coach Ramiro Dominguez...Also played three varsity seasons as a member of the school's volleyball team...PERSONAL: Full Name: Sophia Layan Nittinger...Daughter of Mike Nittinger and Soraya Miramadi...Has one brother, Griffin...Major: Biology intent.
About Nittinger, Castro remarked, "Sophia is a 6-foot-2 post player that flies around the court and chases down every loose ball. Her size and athleticism will fit perfectly with our brand of basketball. Her experiences at a championship-caliber high school program will help her transition to college."
Olivia Smith G 5-5 Fr.-Fr. Fort Wayne, Ind.-South Side
EMU: Joins the EMU basketball program as an incoming signee...HIGH SCHOOL: Attends South Side High School and plays under Head Coach Juanita Goodwell...Has been a member of the varsity program and a team captain in each of her four years of attendance...Averaged 18.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game during the 2020-21 campaign...Helped lead her prep team to a 12-6 record in her most recent season.....Named an Indiana Junior All-Star...Has collected first team all-conference honors...PERSONAL: Full name: Olivia Isabella-Rose Smith...Daughter of Ty and Julie Smith...Has two sisters, Karrina and Gracie...Major: Criminal justice intent.
"Olivia has been coming to EMU camps since eighth grade," noted Castro. "Every time she was on campus, she made a positive impression. She is a tenacious defender and is a tough cover because of her ability to shoot the deep three as well as break down defenses. Olivia is a winner, simply put, and that quality is huge at the point guard position."
Castro and the current Eagles roster are set to continue their 2021-22 campaign Saturday, Nov. 13 when the team hosts the University of Detroit Mercy. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and WEMU 89.1 FM.
"This class of 2022 gives us great balance, covering the point guard, wing, and post positions," said Castro. "All three of these student-athletes come from great families that value work ethic. I'm not only excited about the talent of these young women, but the character that they display on a daily basis."
Castro also praised his staff for their efforts in helping to build the 2022 class, as well as his current student-athletes for the roles they play in the success of the program.
"This great class is made possible by the tremendous efforts by my coaching staff and our players who represent EMU and our program in such a positive way," remarked Castro.
Dara Capaldi G 5-9 Fr.-Fr. Madison Heights, Mich.-La Lumiere (Ind.)
EMU: Joins the EMU basketball program as an incoming signee...HIGH SCHOOL: Attends La Lumiere High School and plays under Head Coach Matthew Marvin as a Laker...Has earned two varsity letters and has been named a team captain on three different occasions...Averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks per contest in her most recent prep campaign...Helped lead her high school team to a 2020 Indiana state championship...Has earned first team all-county and conference MVP honors during her prep career to date...Also played as a member of The Factory AAU basketball team when not participating for La Lumiere...Rated as a top-125 player in the State of Indiana, according to MaxPreps...PERSONAL: Full Name: Dara Marie Capaldi...Daughter of Jerry Capaldi and Deborah Moss...Has one brother, Antonio, and one sister, Lydia...Major: Social work/Psychology intent.
"Dara comes from a basketball family, so it's in her DNA," said Castro. "Dara has great size for a guard; combined with her athleticism and IQ, she has the potential to be an elite defender. Her explosiveness allows her to finish at the rim against guards and posts. She will also stretch defenses with her ability to shoot the three."
Sophia Nittinger C 6-2 Fr.-Fr. Webster Groves, Mo.-Webster Groves
EMU: Joins the EMU basketball program as an incoming signee...HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Webster Groves High School and plays under Head Coach Josh Sphul...Has played on the varsity squad in each of her four years...Has led the team in rebounds in each of her last two seasons...Recorded a school-record 57 blocks during the 2020-21 campaign...Was named a second team all-conference honoree in 2021...Helped lead the Statesmen to a Missouri State High School Activities Association runner-up finish a season ago...Is a member of the Players First travel basketball organization under Head Coach Ramiro Dominguez...Also played three varsity seasons as a member of the school's volleyball team...PERSONAL: Full Name: Sophia Layan Nittinger...Daughter of Mike Nittinger and Soraya Miramadi...Has one brother, Griffin...Major: Biology intent.
About Nittinger, Castro remarked, "Sophia is a 6-foot-2 post player that flies around the court and chases down every loose ball. Her size and athleticism will fit perfectly with our brand of basketball. Her experiences at a championship-caliber high school program will help her transition to college."
Olivia Smith G 5-5 Fr.-Fr. Fort Wayne, Ind.-South Side
EMU: Joins the EMU basketball program as an incoming signee...HIGH SCHOOL: Attends South Side High School and plays under Head Coach Juanita Goodwell...Has been a member of the varsity program and a team captain in each of her four years of attendance...Averaged 18.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game during the 2020-21 campaign...Helped lead her prep team to a 12-6 record in her most recent season.....Named an Indiana Junior All-Star...Has collected first team all-conference honors...PERSONAL: Full name: Olivia Isabella-Rose Smith...Daughter of Ty and Julie Smith...Has two sisters, Karrina and Gracie...Major: Criminal justice intent.
"Olivia has been coming to EMU camps since eighth grade," noted Castro. "Every time she was on campus, she made a positive impression. She is a tenacious defender and is a tough cover because of her ability to shoot the deep three as well as break down defenses. Olivia is a winner, simply put, and that quality is huge at the point guard position."
Castro and the current Eagles roster are set to continue their 2021-22 campaign Saturday, Nov. 13 when the team hosts the University of Detroit Mercy. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and WEMU 89.1 FM.
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