By SCOTT NOVAK
Niles Daily Star

Niles senior Jenna Grannell, an All-Big 16 West Division selection, recently signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her career at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

“We are extremely pleased to have Jenna joining us in the fall,” KVCC coach Ron Welch said. “We have watched her develop as a player for the last couple years into a low post force for the Vikings and we’re certain she can develop into a very good college player.”

Jenna follows in the footsteps of sister Jami Grannell, who also played for the Cougars.
“Obviously we have some history with the Grannell family and with the highly successful Niles program, but as strong as that history is, if Jenna wasn’t capable of playing at this level in our minds that certainly would have had an effect on our pursuit of her for our program,” Welch said.

He added that Grannell has soft hands and an assortment of moves in the post. He also likes the jump hook she has developed and her ability to be physical in the post.

Grannell will be headed to a KVCC squad that has a very good returning class. Welch has also brought in a very strong freshmen class.

She said she really wasn’t looking at any other schools because she knew all about KVCC.

“I already knew it was a good school because my sister went there. I wanted to go to a small school that was close to home,” Grannell said. “That’s kind of where I have been planning to go all along.”

She said that following her sister to KVCC is both intimidating and challenging.
“We play a different game,” Grannell noted. “I am more of a scorer and she is more about getting all the rebounds.”

“We have a tradition of strong post play at KVCC and I expect Jenna to work hard, continue to develop as a player and build on that tradition,” Welch said. “We’re excited for her – and for us.”

Niles coach Patrick Touhey said he was pleased by Grannell’s selection.

“I am really happy that Jenna finally found a school she is really excited about playing at,” Touhey said. “She knows that coach and that system from when her sister played there. The coach at KVCC came to watch Jenna play quite a bit. I think he’s seen she’s a great fit for that system.”

Grannell said that she likes the way Welch coaches.

“He knows the game,” she said. “I’ve seen him coach and I like the way he runs things.”