2008-09 Summit League Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence
2008, 2009 Summit League Winter/Spring All-Academic team
2009 SEASON: Maryssa came back from an elbow injury ... Named to 2008-09 Summit League Winter/Spring All-Academic team and Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence ... Started 11 of 18 games played working behind all-region catcher Kelly Cantrell ... Hit .147 with five runs scored and three RBI ... Added five walks and three sacrifice hits ... Committed no errors in 72 fielding chances including 11 assists ... Tied a career-high with two runs scored vs. Jackson State (2-13-09) ... Matched a career best with a pair of walks at Southern Utah (3-14-09) ... Part of NDSU defense that was 8th in NCAA fielding percentage (.976) and 12th nationally in double plays (0.47 avg.).
2008 SEASON: Maryssa had her season cut short with an elbow injury ... Had Tommy John surgery and completed a successful rehab stint ... Received medical hardship year ... Landed a spot on the 2007-08 Summit League Winter/Spring All-Academic team ... Played in eight games including five starts ... Hit .294 with three runs score, a double and one RBI ... Issued three walks ... Made no errors in 13 fielding chances including three assists ... Threw out one baserunner ... Set or matched career bests with 2 for 5 showing at plate in season opener against Green Bay (2-9-08) ... Scored two runs and belted a double against the Phoenix.
2007 SEASON: Maryssa played in 21 games including 13 starting assignments ... Hit .132 with one home run and three RBI ... Added eight walks, four runs scored and a pair of sacrifice bunts ... Went 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored in win over Manhattan (2-18-07) ... Hit her first collegiate home run against the 'Hatters ... Issued a pair of walks vs. UMKC ... ... Made no errors in 46 fielding chances including seven assists ... Recorded a season-high 11 fielding chances including five assists against Creighton (3-15-07).
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2006 graduate of Freedom High School in Oakley, Calif. ... Four-year starter on four BVAL/North Coast Section 3A East Bay championshp teams ... Played catcher and left field for the Falcons ... Freedom was ranked No. 1 in the final USA Today high school softball national rankings ... The Falcons posted a 25-0 record in 2006 ... Played with Arizona-bound pitcher Amanda Williams ... Hit dramatic solo home run in the 1-0 eight-inning victory over Oregon 3A state champion Southridge ... Caught Williams' perfect game vs. Southridge, one of three during season ... Selected to 2006 Best of the West all-tourney team ... Earned second team all-BVAL/NCS honors as a senior ... Played summer league for the Strike Zone ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Principal's Honor Roll.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Michael and Ramona McKenzie ... Has one sister, Malyssa ... Majoring in human development and family science with a minor in Spanish ... Future plans include becoming a counselor for at-risk youth ... Became interested in field when working at Fargo's Lutheran Social Services ... Favorite hobby is scrapbooking ... Prep coaches were Michele Moore and Jeff Jonas.
