UAlbany women’s basketball gets an international boost from Sweden
Albany, NY (NEWS10) – Recruiting at the college level can be a challenge. The UAlbany women have taken things internationally and built a pipeline directly to Sweden.
Grand Danois already had two returnees from Stockholm: junior Helene Haegerstrand and senior Ellen Hahne. Now they have recruited another Swede: the beginner Freja Werth.
Werth says that Helene and Ellen were a big reason why she came to Albany, and they have been very helpful in what has been a huge adjustment. “It’s so nice to have them and they really help me, just with little things,” Freja said. “We speak Swedish sometimes and they can explain things I can not, so it has been so, so nice to have them here.”
Haegerstrand knows what challenges Freja faces. “When I see her go through it now, I’m reminded of how it was and it’s definitely different,” Haegerstrand said. “It helps her see us. We have done the same thing and we are in the place we are and we enjoy everything. Every day is like a new day and she becomes more and more comfortable.”
Hahne says that the three have connected through similar experiences. “The coach said that when we come in we will be the three Swedes,” said Hahne. “We have to take her on whatever Helene and I started building last year. We have not really played together. Freja and I went to the same high school, we played the same style of basketball. That connection is very good for us and we must continue to build on it. “
The three Swedes will help Great Danes tip November 10 against Hofstra.