PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's head women's basketball coach, Mike McLaughlin, has announced his recruiting class for the upcoming 2021-22 season. Six young women—Stina Almqvist, Lexy Calhoun, Lizzy Groetsch, Marianna Papazoglou, Iyanna Rogers, and Sima Visockaite—will join the Quakers' women's basketball roster this season as freshmen.
 
"Every year our coaching staff works extremely hard to recruit a dynamic, well-rounded group of student-athletes who can make an impact both on and off the court and I am thrilled to say we have done just that," said McLaughlin, who is the program's all-time winning coach (199) and enters his 13th season with the Quakers in 2021-22. "This class exhibits the dedication to excellence and the strong work ethic that makes up the foundation of the culture that has been established within the Penn Women's Basketball program. I am really looking forward to beginning this new journey with another tremendous class at one of the best universities in the world. I cannot wait to watch them grow both as individuals and together as an entire class."
 
With Covid-19 keeping the Ivy League off the court last season, Penn finished the 2019-20 season with a 20-7 overall record and finished second in the Ivy League with a 10-4 conference mark, earning the second seed in the Ivy League Tournament before it was canceled due to the pandemic. The Quakers have finished first or second in the Ancient Eight each of the last seven seasons, reaching at least 20 overall wins and a double-figure Ivy win total in each of those campaigns.
 

STINA ALMQVIST
6-0 | Guard
Kinna, Sweden | Marks Gymnasium
 
High School: Played 13 years with Marbo basket … Played two seasons in Swedish professional league, Svenska basketligan dam … Selected four time to European Girls Basketball league's All-Star team … Two-time Swedish championship gold, earning MVP, Player of the Finals game and All-Star team both years … Swedish championship bronze in 2019, scoring 50 points in bronze medal game and selected to All-Star team … Two-time Swedish school championship gold … Two-time winner of Scania Cup, earning MVP, scoring title, All-Star team, and MVP of final game both years … Bronze medal in 2019 Scania Cup, while winning scoring title and selected to All-Star team … Won silver and bronze medals at Nordic Championship with Swedish national team … Won gold and fourth place at European Championship Division B with Swedish national team.

Personal: Daughter of Marie and Fredrik Almqvist … Father played in the Swedish professional basketball league for three years called M7 … Sister, Jonna, plays in the Swedish professional basketball league, playing together for the 2020 season … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn? "As soon as I began talking with the coaches, I quickly realized how much they cared about their players. I am confident that the University of Pennsylvania has all the opportunities for me to succeed not only because of the great basketball program, but also for the outstanding academics."
 
Coach McLaughlin on Stina: "As a bigger wing, Stina will bring great size, athleticism and versatility to our perimeter game. She has the ability to score in multiple ways while also impacting the game on the defensive end with her length. Stina competes hard all the time and has played at a high level in Sweden that has prepared her for the competition she will face here at Penn."

  
LEXY CALHOUN
5-8 | Guard
Barrington, R.I. | Harriton
 
High School: Four-year starter for Harriton including being a senior captain, playing for head coach Chris Wielgus … All-Central League senior season … Three-time All-Main Line … Two-time Harriton Female Athlete of the Year … Southeastern PA Girls' Basketball three-point leaders list during freshman season … Led Harriton to first District finals game in 50 years … Selected to Philadelphia City vs Suburbs All-Star girls basketball game … Three-year team captain for AAU basketball team, Philly Roots … Four-year starter for Harriton soccer team including being a senior captain … All-Central League senior season … Two-time All-Main Line … Member of National Honor Society … AP Scholar award … Distinguished Scholar at Harriton.
 
Personal: Daughter of Grace and Jason Calhoun … Mother ran track at Brown, was former Director of Athletics and Recreation at Penn before returning to alma mater as Vice President of Athletics and Recreation … Father played football, golf and ran track at Saint Francis (Pa.), and is current men's golf coach at Penn … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences for philosophy, politics and economics.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of the amazing opportunities and experiences that come with being a student-athlete at this world-class institution. I also love the tight-knit community of current and past Penn Women's Basketball student-athletes and the family-oriented atmosphere around the program."
 
Coach McLaughlin on Lexy: "Lexy has been around Penn for a long time and has a great understanding of the traditions and culture of the program. She was well coached throughout her high school career by legendary Ivy League Coach Chris Wielgus so she will be well equipped with the knowledge and work ethic needed for the college level. Lexy is a great teammate who does things the right way both on and off the court."
 
 
LIZZY GROETSCH
5-11 | Guard
Sewickley, Pa. | North Allegheny
 
High School: Four-year starter and two-year captain for North Allegheny, playing for head coach Spencer Stefko … During career, helped North Allegheny to 103-8 record while totaling 1,504 points, 704 rebounds and 371 assists … 6A PIAA State Champion during senior season, first in school history, and named PCN Player of the Game … Three-time 6A WPIAL Champion and three-time Trib HSSN Player of the Game … 2021 Pennsylvania Player of the Year Class 6A … 2021 Trib HSSN Girls Basketball Player of the Year … 2020 Pennsylvania Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year … Two-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Girls Basketball Player of the Year … Two-time Cover 3 Athletics Girls Basketball Player of the Year … Two-time First-Team All-State Class 6A … Three-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette First-Team All-Section and All-WPIAL … Four-time Big 56 All-Section, First Team three times … Two-time Tribune Review Terrific Ten All-Star and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fab Five … 2021 KDKA Super Seven Team … 2021 North Allegheny Athletic Department Girls Athlete of the Year … 2020 PA Future Stars Regional Player of the Year … 2021 Roundball Classic MVP … Played for AAU, Western PA Bruins, since seventh grade … Member of National Honors Society.
 
Personal: Daughter of Julie and David Groetsch … Father played basketball for Westminster College … Brother, Chris, played basketball for Johns Hopkins … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn? "I went to an elite camp at Penn the summer after my freshman year and immediately fell in love with the school and basketball program. I really liked the coaching staff, the campus location, and the overall family-oriented culture of the program. It is the perfect fit in all aspects as I will have the opportunity to compete at a high level both athletically and academically."
 
Coach McLaughlin on Lizzy: "Lizzy was highly recruited coming out of high school. She comes from a very successful program where she was a state champion. Lizzy is tough player with an extremely versatile skill set and relentless work ethic. She is the ultimate competitor and an all-around winner. I look forward to seeing her have an immediate impact early in her career."


MARIANNA PAPAZOGLOU
5-10 | Guard
Wildwood, N.J. | Wildwood Catholic Academy
 
High School: Four-year captain for Wildwood Catholic, playing for head coach Steve Dipatri … All-Time female leading scorer at Wildwood Catholic with 1,768 points, and first basketball player in school history to score 1,000 points during sophomore season … Added 753 rebounds, 463 assists, 171 blocks, and 334 steals over 92 career games … New Jersey All-State Honorable Mention sophomore season … Nominee for New Jersey All-State Player of the Year senior season … McDonald's All-American nominee … Voted NJ.com best sophomore and junior in state … Four-time First-Team All-Cape Atlantic Basketball … Four-time Atlantic City Press Girls Basketball All-Star team … Three-time All-South Jersey Basketball … Played for AAU, Philadelphia Belles EYBL, for three years … Four-year Honor Roll … Member of National Honors Society … Finished fourth overall in graduating class … Student Council class president for four years.
 
Personal: Daughter of Haroula and Giuseppe Rotondi … Cousins, Sal and Anthony Zampirri, both play soccer for Cabrini … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because it offers an atmosphere of exceptional academics as well as an amazing, family-oriented basketball program. To attend a university like Penn where I can challenge myself both academically and athletically is something I am really looking forward to. Additionally, when I met the coaching staff and team they welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home. I knew this program was something I wanted to be a part of!"
 
Coach McLaughlin on Marianna: "Marianna is an aggressive scorer who competes at a high level. She can shoot the three while also having the ability to score and make plays in the open floor. We are excited about her versatility and the depth she brings to the guard position. Overall, she is a great teammate who exhibits a high level of energy all the time. I am excited to watch her grow over the next four years."


IYANNA ROGERS
6-1 | Forward
Richmond, Va. | Highland Springs
 
High School: Four-year starter and two-year captain for Highland Springs, playing for head coach Franklin Harris … Co-State Champion Division 5 in 2020 … Two-time All-Region … Second-Team All-State … Third-Team All-Metro … McDonald's All-American nominee … ESPN Top 60 junior season … John Lucas Top 160 sophomore season … Averaged 13.68 points per game for 342 points her junior season on 54.8-percent shooting, while adding 196 rebounds, 89 blocks, 61 steals and 12 assists … Played AAU, Cap City Ballerz, for four years … Played AAU, Boo Williams, for EYBL 16u and 17u … Member of National Honors Society … Vice President of the Science National Society, FBLA and SGA … Ranked fourth in graduating class with 4.5 grade-point average … Two-time Presidents List and four-time Deans List … Associate of Science in Business Administration through dual enrollment.
 
Personal: Daughter of Lashawnda and Perry Rogers … Father played basketball for Virginia Union … Grandfather played for Wichita State before playing in the Australian League called Mildura Mavericks … Cousin, Chris McCullough, played for the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards, and currently plays overseas in China … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "The first time I was introduced to Penn was for a basketball camp and coach McLaughlin offered me on the spot! The amount of faith and confidence he had in me to do that said a lot. And after talking to the coaching staff, the players, and other students, I realized how great, high achieving, but humble people they are and I knew I wanted to play for, play with, and learn with."
 
Coach McLaughlin on Iyanna: "Iyanna has a tremendous upside. She has developed a solid overall skill set and has a lot of potential as a rebounder and shot blocker. With her strong work ethic and her willingness to be coached, Iyanna will be able to grow within our program."


SIMA VISOCKAITE
6-2 | Forward
Kaunas, Lithuania | Long Island Lutheran
 
High School: Played one season for Long Island Lutheran for head coach Christina Raiti … Played for Lithuanian since 2016, including U15, U16 and U18 national teams … Name best U18 Lithuania player in 2019 … Three-time season's symbolic five player … Four-time month symbolic five player and MVP in Lituanian women's 2nd division championship … 2018-19 2nd division championship season MVP … Two-time leader in blocked shots and rebounds for 2nd division championship … Two-time final four symbolic five player in Lithuanian students basketball league … 2017-18 Lithuanian students basketball league season MVP … 2017 R. Šiškauskas U15 women's basketball tournament symbolic five player and MVP … Played in 2017 Youth Olympics with Lithuanian U16 national team … 2017 symbolic five player in Belarus tournament with U16 national team … Played in three FIBA European women's championships, two times with U16 and one time with U18 … 2019 Art Turner Memorial Player of the Game … Two-time Best Student in Class award … Two Star Honor Rolls junior year and One Star Honor Roll senior year.
 
Personal: Daughter of Kristina Visockiene and Arunas Visockas … Father played for professional basketball for Lithuanian national team and Soviet Union national team, winning bronze in the 1992 Olympics with Lithuania and winning silver in the 1995 European Championship with the Soviet Union … Brother, Deirunas Visockas, played four years of basketball at Lafayette and continued at Boston College … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business for business economics and public policy.
 
Why Penn? "I have been mainly focusing on my basketball and academic careers my entire life. It was really important for me to find the balance between these two goals. I am really grateful that the University of Pennsylvania provided me with this opportunity. Another reason why I chose Penn is that I have built an incredibly good relationship with my coaches and team players. They are all some of the best people I have ever met."
 
Coach McLaughlin on Sima: "Simona has a ton of experience playing at a high level both at home in Lithuania as well as during her high school career at Long Island Lutheran. She is a versatile scorer who can rebound and run the floor and defensively, she is mobile and changes shots at a high level while protecting the paint. She is athletic, determined, competitive and has been well-coached. I look forward to getting her on the court here at Penn."