The Upper Iowa women's basketball team has announced their commits for the 2023-24 season, adding five athletes to next year's roster. 
 
The Peacocks start by welcoming Sydnee Nelson from Cottage Grove, Minn. as the newest addition to the team. Nelson tallied 1,164 career points at Park High School while dishing out 407 assists and grabbing 161 steals. Her accolades include All-Conference honors (senior year) and the Athena Award, given to a female high school senior who has demonstrated outstanding athletic achievement in Minneapolis and St. Paul area schools. 
 
"Sydnee is a very skilled and aggressive point guard who has the ability to guard the ball for 94 feet and cause chaos defensively," said Head Coach Justin Maass. "Offensively, she has the ability to run a team and get everyone involved. Her skill set and speed will fit our up-tempo style."
 
Upper Iowa brings in another Minnesota native, Ava Privet, to their 2023-24 roster. Pivet registered 1195 career points while handing out 238 assists and hauling in 275 rebounds. The Caledonia High School product was a three-time Three Rivers All-Conference selection, while also earning a spot on the Honorable Mention All-State team. Pivet complemented her athletic accomplishments by earning the Academic All-Conference award four times. 
 
"Ava is a long and lengthy wing that has deep range and can hit the three-point shot in every way, while still getting to the paint to score," noted Maass. "Her length adds more versatility on the defensive end, giving her a ton of upside. Ava is an aggressive defender that has great timing when attempting to block shots."
 
The next incoming freshman coming to Fayette is Kenzie Deaton from Wausau, Wis. She parts with Wausau West High School as a three-time Wisconsin Valley All-Conference selection, twice as an honorable mention selection and once on the first team. Deaton totaled 756 career points as a Warrior, while grabbing 272 rebounds and dishing out 165 assists. The Badger State native was also a four-time Gold Academic Honor Roll recipient. 
 
"Kenzie is a win-at-all-costs kind of guard," added Maass. "She is a highly-competitive player that doesn't back away from a challenge and loves to compete. She can get to the rim, shoot the three and get everyone involved offensively. On the defensive end, she always looks to guard the other team's best player and takes pride in shutting them down."
 
Amara Retreage joins the Peacock family from Skokie, Ill. She compiled a well-spread stat line as she finished her career at Niles North High School with 896 points, 340 assists, 288 rebounds and 186 steals. 
 
"Amara is a tough, hard-nosed guard that competes for every second she is on the floor," noted Maass. "She has shown the ability to affect the game in a number of different ways throughout her high school career. Whether it be scoring, defense or making her teammates better, she will take on any role you need her to"
 
UIU rounds out their recruiting class with Kayla Bohr, a junior transfer from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. During her time with the Rangers, Bohr tallied 498 points, pulled down 192 boards and gave out 64 assists. Last season, the Blaine, Minn. native played in 28 games, shooting over 40 percent from the floor and hauling in 102 rebounds. 
 
"Kayla is a big-time transfer from Wisconsin-Parkside who has proven that she can consistently put-up good numbers at the Division 2 level," Maass commented. "Kayla will be a huge asset on the defensive end because she can guard nearly every position. Offensively, she is a well-rounded player that can score in the paint and from the perimeter."
 
Upper Iowa women's basketball is coming off one of the program's most successful seasons. The Peacocks qualified for the NSIC postseason tournament for the first time since 2019, when all teams were allowed participation. They finished the season with an overall record of 10-17 and conference mark of 6-16. Their overall number of wins is the most they have collected since the 2001-02 season (19 wins). Upper Iowa's six wins in the NSIC is the most the program has ever secured in a conference season.