Tenaya Sooalo and Emilee Harmon sign on for Dandenong

The Dandenong Rangers have announced the signings of two very familiar faces for their NBL1 Women’s team, with Tenaya Sooalo (nee Phillips) returning to her home association and the team's newest DBA staff member Emilee Harmon signing on in a playing role.

Both players will bring a ton of veteran experience to a youthful roster, providing Dandenong's Youth League & Junior Ranger players excellent role models at the guard and forward positions.

Coach Lloyd Klaman is very excited to have Sooalo and Harmon on board for NBL1 South 2021, stating that both are high-character players that will help lead the Rangers on and off-the-court.

"It’s great getting Tenaya back at Dandenong, she adds a wealth of experience to our young group," Klaman said.

"Tenaya is a proven scorer in this league and will be a focal point of our offense.

"She also has the versatility to play a number of positions which will enable us to have various looks.

"Emilee has been one of the standout imports in this league over the past few years.  

"We were extremely happy when she decided to make Dandenong home as there was a number of NBL1 teams after her services. 

"Emilee can affect the outcome of a game in a number of ways and her leadership will be extremely important for us this year."

After a few seasons away, Sooalo decided to come home last season and was set to re-join the Rangers program prior to last year’s COVID-19 interruption.

But now, both she and the rest of the NBL1 Rangers group are loving being back during preseason and can’t wait for the season’s tip-off on Saturday 17 April.

A long-time Dandenong player, Sooalo is coming back to play her first NBL1 season with the club, having previously been a Junior Ranger, SEABL and WNBL star.

She was also set to be joined by twin sister Kiara Wade on the team before a training injury ruled her out for NBL1 2021.

But the season ahead is still an exciting one for Sooalo as she pulls back on the Rangers green for a huge year of basketball.

"It’s a pretty special feeling returning home, I’ve been able to share some amazing memories alongside my twin sister and teammates throughout my career here," she said.

"It’s very exciting to be back, obviously we all missed out on last season so we’re really itching to get back on court and be doing what we love.

"The squad is coming together nicely, we love a bit of banter but also hard work & our coaching staff do a great job each week to ensure we work hard but also enjoy being there."

Joining her on that squad will be veteran import Emilee Harmon, who recently joined the Rangers as their Basketball Development Coordinator.

Harmon has quickly established herself as a role model off-the-court as she teaches the game to Dandenong's youngest players and she will no doubt look to replicate that on the court during NBL1.

While she’s new to the club, Harmon is well-aware of the Rangers brand, having competed for multiple seasons against some of Dandenong's championship-winning SEABL teams.

"I decided to play with Dandenong because of their rich history in basketball," Harmon said.

"This will be my eighth season in Australia, so I know very well from the past that any time you come up against Dandenong it is going to be a tough game.

"I also signed to play here because of the great coaching staff.

"I am still trying to reach some goals of mine and I have no doubt I will be better for having played under this staff.

"The great teammates are just the icing on the cake!"

The 2021 NBL1 South season tips off next Saturday with the first NBL1 Rangers home event on Saturday 8 May.