Adlao, Chamois, and Zalin Sign

Glendora, CA - Freshman Joy Adlao and sophomores Janae Chamois and Allison Zalin became the first members of the 2015-2016 Citrus College Women's Basketball team to sign scholarship offers last week. Adlao and Chamois have accepted scholarships from California State University, East Bay, while Zalin has signed with Texas A&M International University. All are NCAA Division II institutions.

Chamois will go down as having one of the greatest two-year careers in Citrus College Women's Basketball history. A two-time 1st team All-WSC South selection, Chamois averaged 15.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game across two seasons. She is second in program history in career points per game, second in total threes made (95), first in 3-point percentage (34.2%), third in field goals made (305), third in free-throws made (175), and first in free-throw percentage (78.8%).

"East Bay felt like a great fit for me as far as coaching, the team, and the location. It's what I've been looking for since I started looking at schools to transfer too. All the way around it was a good fit for me," Chamois said. "Citrus has played a big part in all of this. I fell more in love with basketball coming to Citrus. The atmosphere here has made it hard to want to leave, but it's given me time to develop in all aspects of my life."

"I was very fortunate to coach Janae this season. Her efforts on both ends of the floor were relentless and it showed all year," said Citrus College Head Women's Basketball Coach Linnae Barber Matthews. "The most exciting part about her signing to Cal State East Bay is her having her dreams become a reality in playing in the CCAA conference. She has worked hard for this and they're lucky to have a student-athlete like her on their roster for the next two seasons."

Zalin transferred to Citrus College after playing the 2014-2015 season at Glendale College. Zalin was a force in the middle for the Owls averaging 8 points, 6.3 boards, and 2.4 blocks per game on 51.2% shooting from the floor. She earned 1st team All-WSC South honors for her efforts. Her sophomore campaign with the Owls saw her move into the record books with the second best field goal percentage in program history, most total blocks in a single season (67), and the second best blocks per game average in one year.  

"Texas A&M International is giving me more opportunities than I could ever ask for. Academically, athletically, and personally it's the best fit for me. It's an institution that will push me to be the best that I can be," Zalin said. "Coming from a previous community college I wanted more out of myself. Being here at Citrus with the coaching staff, with the faculty and support staff of the college, and the teammates that I had, it definitely fueled my desire for more. It absolutely played a role in helping me choose a school that would give me more just like Citrus did."

"Allison played a very vital part to our success this past season. She is a very selfless player and made sure her teammates always played hard all the time," Barber Matthews said. "What is most exciting about her going to Texas A&M International, is seeing her play at a level where she is going to dominate. Allison potential is limitless, and I was very proud to have the opportunity to coach her this past season."

After sitting out the 2014-2015 season due to a knee injury in the pre-season, Adlao came back this past year and put together one of the finest three-point shooting seasons in Citrus College Women's Basketball history during the 2015-2016 campaign. Adlao appeared in 27 games for Citrus, averaging 8.2 points per game, while hitting 62 total three pointers at a 39% clip. Her 62 threes ranks third all-time in the Owl record book for three's made in a season, and her 39% shooting percentage is second all-time for a single season in program history.

"I really loved the East Bay campus. It was beautiful. I saw myself there growing as an individual, academically and athletically. It provided me a chance to keep playing with my teammate Janae. The team was very welcoming, and I see myself fitting in perfectly with the style of basketball that they play," Adlao said. "Citrus has given me a second chance to play the sport that I love. It's taken care of me, physically, helping me work through my injury the first year. They've kept me healthy so that I could play at a high level."

"Joy has faced adversity these past few years. What will make her standout at the next level is her will and drive to never give up and always give 100%," Barber Matthews said. "East Bay is lucky to have a pure shooter, and I am confident that Joy will excel in both her efforts on the floor and off."