Jokela, a 5-foot-9 senior post from Mentor, Ohio, is currently in the midst of her senior season at Mentor High School in which she is averaging 13.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game and is shooting 82 percent at the free throw line. As a junior, she averaged 6.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while playing for the largest school in the state. The two-year varsity captain was also selected as the team’s Most Versatile Player following her junior season.

"I am very excited about the early addition of Kellie to our team,” said MVNU head coach Steve Gregory. "She made a commitment and signed early prior to the start of her season because she knew that MVNU was the place for her.”

"Kellie is a girl we have had the privilege of seeing and getting to know through several basketball events over the summer,” Gregory added. "We noticed that she was a very talented player, and over the course of a few months we were even more pleased when we found out what type of person she was. Not only is she a tremendous player, but she will be an awesome representative of what MVNU is all about. She embodies the characteristics we are looking for athletically, academically (4.0 GPA and a 33 on her ACT), and spiritually. She has a heart for the Lord and a genuine concern for her teammates and coaching staff. She loved what MVNU represented from the moment she stepped on this campus, and we loved what she represented at the same time.”

In addition to playing basketball at Mentor High School, Jokela received the Citizenship Award as a freshman and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

"When I visited MVNU for the first time, I loved everything about it,” said Jokela. "The campus was gorgeous, and everyone there was so friendly. When I met the team and got to participate with them in open gym, I became certain that MVNU was the school for me. The team was so friendly and supportive of each other, and I loved the way the coaches and players interacted. It was very evident to me that the team truly cared about each other. That, compounded with the beautiful campus, friendly environment, and the major I am interested in (Physical Education), is why I chose MVNU.”

"As a player, Kellie is very versatile and can play many different positions,” said Gregory. "She has speed, size, strength, and agility, and she knows how to use those traits to the benefit of the team. She is extremely unselfish and team-oriented. She can play on the perimeter because of her ball-handling skills, and she can knock down the three-point shot. She can also play down on the low block because of her size and strength. She is a very good rebounder who I think will help take our program to the next level.”

"I expect Kellie to have a big senior season at Mentor and can’t wait for her to arrive at MVNU next fall,” Gregory added. "I look forward to the opportunity of helping her reach her full potential as a student, player, person, and as a Christian over the next four seasons.”

The Lady Cougars, who are an NAIA Division II program, are currently 5-7 overall. MVNU will return to action on Saturday when the team will travel to Carlow (Pa.) University for a non-conference game that will tip off at 2:00 p.m.