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Mount Mary University Blue Angel Athletics
Meet Your Angels: Doni Yendriga
September 24, 2013

Meet Your Angels: Doni Yendriga

Ohio native talks about transferring, rebuilding, and shoulder rehab.

(As the 2013-14 basketball season approaches, we introduce you to the student-athletes taking on the challenge of resurrecting basketball at Mount Mary University)

Sophomore Doni Yendriga (Conneaut, Ohio) transferred to Mount Mary this year from the University of Maine-Presque Isle where she played for new Blue Angels' head coach Marc Heidorf. 

In 2012-13, Yendriga averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds per contest, earning her the team's "Rookie of the Year" Award. A durable center, she was the only player Owls' player to play in all 25 games (24 starts).

Not one to sit around, Yendriga took part in track and field in the spring, a club sport at UMPI. It was during an event that she tore a muscle ligament in her shoulder. The injury required surgery this summer and the subsequent rehab will keep transfer off the court until January.

Driving with her one good arm from Ohio to Wisconsin in August, Yendriga stepped on campus for the first time just days before the first days of class. This week she sat down to discuss her surgery, Mount Mary experience thus far, and basketball.

MMU Athletics: What has your experience at Mount Mary and in Milwaukee been so far?

Doni Yendriga:  My experience has been excellent, that classes are great, the professors are awesome, and the girls on campus were very warm and welcoming.

MMU: Having classroom experience at a co-ed college and now a few weeks into a women's college, do you notice any differences, positive or negative?

Yendriga:  The classes are more comfortable, that topics are more open. The professors are great and really try to help everyone interact with one another.

MMU: What has been / what do you anticipate will be the toughest part of going through the shoulder surgery and prospect of not being able to start the season on the court?
 
Yendriga:  The toughest part about going through shoulder surgery is not being able to get out on the court, to have to sit half the season and just watch will be the worst because I am dying to be able to wear the Blue Angels uniform and get out on the court.
MMU: Are you optimistic that the basketball program here will be turned around and what are your reasons for that optimism?
 
Yendriga:  I believe that we can turn the basketball program around completely all it will take is heart and devotion. We have a great Athletic director/Coach that will do his best with doing what he can with the team and also we have some great girls that I feel with enough devotion and time on the court we will rebuild and progress over time.
MMU: What do you feel you can contribute to the team while you continue to rehab and what do you think you will be able to bring to the table when you are able to return to the court?
 
Yendriga:  With being out with an injury all I can truly do is support the team, help the girls understand what coach expects since I've played a year for him and try to make the game easier and more fun for them. When getting back on the court I believe I can bring a voice to the court and a strong body in the post. I can do my best to be a verbal supporter and leader in anyway possible.