Galvan Signs With Marian University, Hall Honored For 1,000 Point Achievement

Express center Hailey Galvan, front center, signs her letter of intent to play at Marian University in Indianapolis, IN. To her right and left are her parents, Roel and Dana Galvan. In the back row, left to right, is Marian head women's basketball coach Todd Bacon, Express women's basketball head coach Michael Llanas, and Express women's basketball assistant coach Stephen Perry. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Express center Hailey Galvan, front center, signs her letter of intent to play at Marian University in Indianapolis, IN. To her right and left are her parents, Roel and Dana Galvan. In the back row, left to right, is Marian head women's basketball coach Todd Bacon, Express women's basketball head coach Michael Llanas, and Express women's basketball assistant coach Stephen Perry. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Posted: Apr 27, 2012

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Express center Hailey Galvan has signed a letter of intent to continue her playing career at Marian University in Indianapolis, IN.

A ceremony was held in the Student Health and Activities Center today. She chose Marian over schools such as Indiana Tech, Rio Grande, Spring Arbor and Eckerd College.

"I just liked the environment of the school," Galvan said of her choice. "I feel that being in a big city will not only provide me with athletic and academic opportunities, but a lot of life opportunities as well."

Galvan averaged 4.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game during her sophomore year. It was on the defensive end of the court where she made her mark as she broke school records for most blocks in one game (12, twice) and in a season (132, 2011-12). Her single game mark is also an national record at the NJCAA D-II level.

As a freshman, Galvan averaged 3.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game and is a two-time recipient of the team's Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, she blocked 234 shots in her career - just 13 blocks shy of tying the school's career blocks record.

In a game this past season against Mid-Michigan CC, Galvan had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 12 blocks.

Marian University's head women's basketball coach Todd Bacon is excited to have a player with Galvan's defensive ability.

"She's very athletic and aggressive toward rebounding and blocking shots, and we feel she's got a lot more offensive potential over the next two years."

Bacon is also excited because Galvan will be able to fill the lane - allowing his top shot blocker the last two seasons, Rachel Turk, to move out to the perimeter.

"I'm just really proud of the accomplishments she has obtained here at Owens," said Owens head women's basketball coach Michael Llanas. "She's made a great decision in going to Marian. Like Owens, she's going to get a great education and be part of a competitive basketball team."

Marian University is a member of the NAIA and competes in the Mid-Central College Conference. They finished 18-10 last season and ended their year with a loss in the first round of the MCC Tournament.

Galvan is a 2010 graduate of Archbold HS in Archbold, OH where she broke school records for most blocks in a game and in a career. She is the daughter of Roel and Dana Galvan.

Hall Honored As Program's Second 1,000 Point Scorer

In addition to Galvan's signing, Express sophomore Aja Hall was honored today.

Hall averaged 18.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and two steals per game this past year and finished her Owens career with 1,010 points. She became only the second women's basketball player in school history to eclipse 1,000 career points (Amy Amstutz, 1997-99).

Express women's basketball head coach Michael Llanas presented her with a specially designed basketball to commemorate her achievement.

Hall is currently playing for the No. 10 Express softball team, and is contemplating her choice of where to play basketball next season. She is a graduate of Fostoria HS in Fostoria, OH, where she holds the school records for career scoring and rebounding.