As summer session wraps, UConn women’s newcomers Morgan Cheli, Allie Ziebel just know they’re in the right place

STORRS – Morgan Cheli is still getting used to being far away from home. Allie Ziebell is trying to pay more attention to detail on the basketball court in a way she never had to before.Two of UConn’s three incoming freshmen finished up summer school and summer training Friday and will return home before coming back in August before school starts. The third freshman, Sarah Strong, spent some time at UConn this summer but was most recently playing with USA Basketball’s U18 team, which won the FIBA U18 AmeriCup gold medal Sunday in Colombia.“Obviously I knew what I was getting into, but being here, it’s different,” said Cheli, a 6-foot-2 guard from San Jose, California, who was ranked No. 17 nationally by ESPN. “It’s been great. I’m just trying to be a sponge and soak it all up and learn from everyone.“The (hardest thing has been) just acclimating – being away from home– but it’s been good.”
UConn freshman Allie Ziebell on summer training pic.twitter.com/GWlY8QGMjj
— Lori Riley (@lrileysports) June 28, 2024Ziebell, a 6-foot guard from Neenah, Wisconsin, who is ranked No. 4 by ESPN, is also adjusting to a new level of play.“It’s harder than you think it would be but it’s so much fun,” she said. “I love it here. Everything – pace of play, style, all the movement, all the little details they expect you to notice – you just have to get used to it.”The two freshmen said that the upperclassmen have helped with their transition.“They’re great leaders,” Ziebell said. “They take so much time and patience to make sure you know what you’re doing.Archbishop Mitty’s Morgan Cheli (33) drives to the basket of the CIF Open Division state championship in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)“They plan a lot of stuff off the court. We’re always hanging out as a team, even in the apartments. They’re supportive.”Said Cheli: “They’re always looking out for us. Walking us to the gym for the first few days because I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going; just wanting us to be involved in everything. It’s a very inclusive group, I’ve definitely appreciated that.”It helps that Cheli and Ziebell already spent time together before coming to Storrs. The two met at a basketball camp and became friends. Then they played together in April for the West team in the McDonald’s All-American game in Houston as well as the Jordan Brand Classic game in Brooklyn.“We had our official visit here together,” Ziebell said. “We had McDonald’s, Jordan – we’ve gotten very close. Love her. She’s awesome.”The upperclassmen are doing what they can to help the freshmen acclimate.Incoming UConn women’s basketball recruit Sarah Strong helped lead Team USA to the U18 FIBA AmeriCup title. (Photo courtesy: USA Basketball)“I’m super close with them,” sophomore Ashlynn Shade said. “I spend all my time with them, we’re always hanging out, playing cards; it’s fun to bond with them, making sure they’re comfortable. This is their first experience in college, so we’re trying to make them feel as comfortable as possible.”Shade said that Ziebell is a “sharpshooter,” while Cheli has size, length and can finish.“They all can contribute,” Shade said. “It’s pretty cool to see that coming in. It’s cool to see all these new pieces and how we’re forming a new team. It’s hard to describe. We are the same team but it’s a little different.”  

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