DeHoff's Take: Jerri returns to the hardwood in a leadership role as the lone senior on the 2008-2009 squad. Last season she led the Summit League in field goal percentage, connecting on just under 55 percent. She provides the Bison with a formidable defensive presence in the paint, averaging 2.79 blocks last season which ranked second in league standings. While staying healthy is key for Penley, her senior season will be one we anticipate for the record books.
The 2007-08 Season: Started in all 28 games ... Averaged 8.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 blocked shots and 1.1 steals per game ... Connected on 54.9% from the field and 64.3% from the foul line ... Added 22 assists ... Second in The Summit League and would have ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA statistics in blocked shots ... Led NDSU in scoring and rebounding on four occasions ... Earned Summit League Player of the Week honors (1-22-08) ... Effort included first collegiate "double-double" with a career-high 23 points and 12 rebounds vs. UMKC (1-19-08) ... Her second "double-double", 16 points and career-high 13 rebounds came in win at Oakland (2-4-08) ... Also tied school record with seven blocked shots against Oakland ... Had at least one blocked shot in 26 of 28 games ... Ranks 4th all-time at NDSU in blocked shots ... Matched career-high in assists twice.
The 2006-07 Season: Played in all 25 games including 17 starting assignments ... Averaged 6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots per game ... Hit 50.4% from the field and 52.2% from the foul line ... Added 22 steals and 10 assists ... Led the Divison I Independents in blocked shots and would have ranked in the top 40 in the NCAA statistics ... Named to the all-tournament team at the Montana State Thanksgiving Classic ... Ranked 10th in rebounding among D-I Independents ... Recorded a season-high six blocked shots vs. East Carolina (12-2-06) ... Pulled down 10 rebounds twice including the double-overtime loss to East Carolina.
The 2005-06 Season: Played in 25 of 26 games, averaging 1.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game ... Added 10 blocked shos, three assists and three steals ... Scored a season-high seven points against Valley City State (1-17-06) ... Pulled down a season best five rebounds against Ball State (11-27-05) ... Recorded two blocks against Central State (3-4-06) and IPFW (1-21-06) ... Came up with two steals against MSU Moorhead (12-13-05).
High School Days: A 2005 graduate of Calvary Christian Academy (Ypsilanti, Mich.) ... Finished her high school career with 1,214 points (20.2 ppg) ... Scored in double figures in 36 of 37 games played for the Cougars during her junior and senior year ... Averaged 17 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 steals per game as as senior. ... Calvary Christian Academy, coached by Gary Slaven, competed in the Fundamental Baptist League during Penley’s first two seasons before moving up to Class D of the Michigan High School Athletic Association during her senior year ... Two-time MVP of the FBL ... Scored over 30 points four times including a career-high 33 points as a junior ... Four-year starter in soccer and three-year starter in volleyball for the Cougars ... Played AAU basketball for the Michigan Belles ... Member of the American Christian Society.
Personal File: Daughter of Jerry and Gayle Penley ... Has two brothers, Jason and Nathan ... Strangest nickname was "Red Bison" ... Favorite hobbies include reading and hanging with friends ... Majoring in criminal justice with a minor in psychology ... Future plans include moving back to Michigan and becoming a correctional officer at either a state or federal penitentiary ... High school coaches included Gary Slaven, Kristi Landrum and Mark Merideth.
