Nalivaika accepts scholarship

October 23rd, 2009
New England Recruiting Report

6’4 post recently committed to the University of Maine

Ali Nalivaika a six-foot-four post, who has anchored the interior for St Peter Marian and the Central Mass Shamrocks AAU team for the last four years has verbally committed to the University of Maine. Ali decided to commit to the Black Bears after making two unofficial visits and visiting several other D1 and D2 colleges in the region.  She stated that she was impressed with what the basketball program has to offer under the coaching of Cindy Blodgett as well as the academic offerings as she is planning on majoring in speech pathology. 

Competition appears to bring out the best in Nalivaika as she has often played her best games against the top talent in the area. “Ali is a tremendous shot blocker and because of her size and wing span, disrupts what her opponents are attempting to do in the paint. She has worked hard the past several years on her offensive skill set. She has a solid mid-range jumper and is developing her low post moves. She runs the floor well and has excellent hands, especially in offensive transition” cites her AAU Coach Jim Oxford. 

Maine’s roster is extremely young with nine current freshmen and sophomores.  Ali will step in next year as the Black Bears’ tallest post player and, as she continues her development, should be a solid long term player for the Black Bears. Maine also recently received a commitment locally from Becca Knight, Class of 2011.