PORTLAND, Ore. — November signing day means the promise of a new season meets the promise of future Vikings for the Portland State women's basketball team. This week was no different, as the Vikings – one game into their 2022-23 season – added two players in guards Ella Kaleta and Laynee Torres-Kahapea between Wednesday and Thursday.
Both players will join the Vikings as freshmen next season. Kaleta, a 5-10 shooting guard, comes to the Vikings out of Bothell, Wash. Torres-Kahapea, meanwhile, will join the Vikings as a 5-6 guard out of Kaneohe, Hawai'i.
The two freshmen will join a 2023-24 Viking team that will finally have more upperclassmen than it does underclassmen. The Vikings have 10 freshmen or sophomores (including redshirts) on this year's team, but seven of those will be juniors next season. Next year's underclassmen will then feature Kaleta and Torres-Kahapea as freshmen alongside this year's crop of freshmen in
Alani Encinas,
Brooklyn Strandy and
Kiana Yesiki.
Ella Kaleta, G, 5-10, FR, Bothell, Wash. (Bothell HS)
BOTHELL HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year varsity starter…Four-year varsity team captain…Has earned KingCo 4A All-Conference honors after her first three years of high school with her senior year still to come…Has led her league in three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage multiple times…Multiple 25+ scoring games every season.
CLUB/AAU
Played for the Eastside Basketball Club as a junior and senior…Played for the Way to Win Gold club team as a freshman and sophomore…Won the Nike TOC Tournament in Chicago with the Eastside Basketball Club in 2022.
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Daughter of Glenn and Theresa Kaleta…Father, Glenn, played basketball for Southern Connecticut State…Has a sister, Katie Kaleta…Hopes to become an entrepreneur outside of her basketball career…Lists traveling, hanging out with friends and working out as hobbies/interests…Plans on majoring in business administration: marketing.
COACH GREGG ON KALETA
"Ella is a strong, sharp-shooting guard who gets after it defensively and can string multiple threes together with ease. A great student and person who will be ready to put in the work to excel at the next level."
Laynee Torres-Kahapea, G, 5-6, FR, Kaneohe, Hawai'i (Punahou School)
PUNAHOU SCHOOL
Four-year letterwinner…All-state first-team selection in 2021.
CLUB/AAU
Played for the Lightning Basketball club team.
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Daughter of Jack Torres and Aimee Kahapea…Has a brother, Everett Torres-Kahapea, who plays basketball at Peninsula Community College…Lists soccer and beach clean ups as hobbies/interests/community service activities she's done in the past…Plans on majoring something related to the sciences.
COACH GREGG ON TORRES-KAHAPEA
"Laynee really stood out to us this summer on the recruiting trail with her tenacious defense and desire to compete on every possession. We love her ability as a floor general and her leadership qualities. She'll be a great addition to our program on and off the floor."
