2008 Woodie Awards
Seniors leave court life behind, for now
Rory Smith
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Sports
Not only is the Humboldt State women's basketball team losing two remarkable athletes next season, it is also losing two wonderful individuals. Seniors Jessica Haayer and Kayla Henry both played their
last game for the 'Jacks on Tuesday, March 4, in Rohnert Park, Calif., against Sonoma
State. Haayer and Henry helped lead the 'Jacks to a 16-12 overall record
and a playoff birth in their final collegiate season.
While Haayer came here as a freshman, this was Henry's first season with the
team. Henry went to Grossmont College in her hometown of San Diego before transferring to New Mexico State. After deciding that New Mexico State was not right for her, she transferred to Humboldt State for her senior
year. She had the opportunity to transfer to Humboldt State right out of Grossmont and said, "I wish I would have come here right off the bat."
Haayer is from Ontario, Calif., and attended Don Lugo High School before coming to Humboldt State University. When asked why she chose Humboldt, she said, "I got a really good feel from the community; the whole program seemed very family-oriented."
Haayer blew out her knee during her sophomore year and was allowed to red
shirt that season. She has already graduated from Humboldt, earning a
degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in teaching/coaching. She is currently working towards her teaching credential and plans to finish next year.
Henry graduates from Humboldt State in May and will earn her degree in women's studies. She plans to move back to southern California and join the referee association with hopes of working as a referee at the college level. She said it is going to be difficult to leave Humboldt as she is just
getting used to it here.
When asked what she is going to miss about Humboldt, Henry said the loving environment within the basketball program has been great and called it, "her family away from home."
For Haayer, the development of the women's basketball program from a team that only won four games her freshman year into a playoff team during her final season has been the most memorable part of her experience here at
Humboldt State. She said she has also met a lot of amazing people on and off the basketball team.
When she is not playing basketball, Haayer said she enjoys watching movies and sleeping. The team even gave her a pillowcase with their photo on it
as her senior present.
Haayer said she likes the outdoors and enjoys wake-boarding and snowboarding
in her free time.
Both women started a majority of their games for the 'Jacks this season. Henry led the team in scoring in two games and averaged 9.1 points and 4.9 rebounds on the season. Haayer earned the team best defender award for her efforts in the 2003-04 season, and averaged 3.1 points and 2.9 rebounds during her senior year.
last game for the 'Jacks on Tuesday, March 4, in Rohnert Park, Calif., against Sonoma
State. Haayer and Henry helped lead the 'Jacks to a 16-12 overall record
and a playoff birth in their final collegiate season.
While Haayer came here as a freshman, this was Henry's first season with the
team. Henry went to Grossmont College in her hometown of San Diego before transferring to New Mexico State. After deciding that New Mexico State was not right for her, she transferred to Humboldt State for her senior
year. She had the opportunity to transfer to Humboldt State right out of Grossmont and said, "I wish I would have come here right off the bat."
Haayer is from Ontario, Calif., and attended Don Lugo High School before coming to Humboldt State University. When asked why she chose Humboldt, she said, "I got a really good feel from the community; the whole program seemed very family-oriented."
Haayer blew out her knee during her sophomore year and was allowed to red
shirt that season. She has already graduated from Humboldt, earning a
degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in teaching/coaching. She is currently working towards her teaching credential and plans to finish next year.
Henry graduates from Humboldt State in May and will earn her degree in women's studies. She plans to move back to southern California and join the referee association with hopes of working as a referee at the college level. She said it is going to be difficult to leave Humboldt as she is just
getting used to it here.
When asked what she is going to miss about Humboldt, Henry said the loving environment within the basketball program has been great and called it, "her family away from home."
For Haayer, the development of the women's basketball program from a team that only won four games her freshman year into a playoff team during her final season has been the most memorable part of her experience here at
Humboldt State. She said she has also met a lot of amazing people on and off the basketball team.
When she is not playing basketball, Haayer said she enjoys watching movies and sleeping. The team even gave her a pillowcase with their photo on it
as her senior present.
Haayer said she likes the outdoors and enjoys wake-boarding and snowboarding
in her free time.
Both women started a majority of their games for the 'Jacks this season. Henry led the team in scoring in two games and averaged 9.1 points and 4.9 rebounds on the season. Haayer earned the team best defender award for her efforts in the 2003-04 season, and averaged 3.1 points and 2.9 rebounds during her senior year.
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