MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Insell announced the addition of six student-athletes during the NCAA Early Signing Period. 

"We are really excited about these six young ladies," Insell said. "This is arguably one of the best recruiting classes we have signed. All six of these ladies will bring different, unique skill sets to our program. The future is extremely bright with these players. As we have said before, we don't rebuild, we reload here at Middle Tennessee."

Blair Baugus | Guard | 6-1 | Waynesboro, Tennessee
Baugus, a Tennessee Miss Basketball award winner, has already accumulated 1,819 career points and 837 rebounds, with a three-year average of 16.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game at Wayne County High School. She is a three-time District Player of the Year and Region MVP, a two-time Times Daily and Tennessean Player of the Year, and was named the 2023 Tennessee Miss Basketball honoree. Baugus has earned multiple All-State selections and helped lead her team to a 102-10 record, including two Class A State Runner-Up finishes. Off the court, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA, serves as Math Club President, and is active in Beta and Interact Clubs. Her father Jerrod played Football at North Alabama while her mother Ginger played basketball at UNA.

"We are excited for Blair to join the Middle Tennessee family," Insell said. "She comes from a winning background and a great high school program. She has won at the highest level. She is a Miss Basketball winner and has been a very dominant player in this state over the last four years. We are excited to have another Wayne County legend be a part of our program. We have had a great history with Wayne County players here at Middle Tennessee and we have no doubt she will be the next. She can play multiple positions and most importantly, she is a winner."

Nicole Dominguez | Center | 6-10 | Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain
Dominguez, a 6-10 center, was a part of Spain's U17 Women's Basketball FIBA World Cup team that took home the bronze medal in 2024. She averaged 6.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game during Spain's bronze medal run, including a career-high 16 points and nine boards in Spain's round of 16 win over Mexico.

"We are excited to have Nicole and her family a part of Middle Tennessee women's basketball," Insell said. "Nicole will bring something to our program that we have never had. She has great height, great skill and great ability to be a game changer inside our program and inside women's basketball. She will be the tallest player in collegiate women's basketball next season. She's not just a tall player, she is very skilled and can change the game on both ends of the floor. We are excited to have her join our program."

Jenna McClendon | Forward | 6-4 | Deatsville, Alabama
McClendon, a 6-4 post player, averaged 13.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 53 percent from field goal during her high school career. She has earned the Future Star award, was named Most Outstanding Player, and took home the Double Double award. McClendon played a key role in back-to-back state basketball championships in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and was part of Prattville Christian Academy's  2024 volleyball state championship team. She also is a four-year softball letter winner.

"We are excited for Jenna and her family to join our program," Insell said. "Jenna brings great athleticism inside. She can play both the four and five positions. She can score the ball around the basket. She can defend both inside and outside. She comes from a winning tradition and high school. She comes from a great family and we feel like she could have a huge career here."

Macie Phifer | Guard | 6-1 | New Albany, Mississippi
Phifer, arguably the most decorated multi-sport athlete to come out of the state of Mississippi, is a do-it-all player. She has guided Ingomar High School to a trio of basketball state championships and a pair of volleyball state titles. Phifer was named the 2023-24 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year and is a two-time Miss Volleyball award winner, one-time Miss Basketball and nine-time all-state selection - in basketball, volleyball and softball. A six-year varsity player, Phifer has amassed 2,867 career points, 1,179 rebounds, 290 steals, 175 assists and 174 blocks entering her final season for the Falcons.

"We are excited for Macie to join the Middle Tennessee women's basketball family," Insell said. "She comes from a winning background. Macie has won about every award you can win in the state of Mississippi as a high school athlete. She wins at everything that she does. We feel like she will be a difference-maker at this level. We can't wait for her to get to Murfreesboro and in a Blue Raider uniform. Macie is just a flat-out winner."

Carsyn Swaney | Guard | 6-0 | Maryville, Tennessee
Swaney, a two-time Tennessee Miss Basketball nominee, is a lengthy guard who will provide depth at the wing. Already a 1,000-point scorer at Heritage High School, Swaney has been recognized as the Daily Times Player of the Year, earned multiple All-District and All-State selections, led the team in free-throw percentage, and was named Rookie of the Year as a freshman.

"We are excited for Carsyn to join the Blue Raider family," Insell said. "Carsyn is someone that we've been watching for a long time. We think that she has a chance to be a great perimeter player here. She has the ability to play multiple positions. She can score the ball in different ways. She comes from a winning high school program and understands the importance of winning. We can't wait for her to get to Murfreesboro."

Kirston Verhulst | Guard | 5-8 | De Soto, Kansas
Verhulst, a true point guard from just outside Kansas City, is a four-year varsity letter winner at Bishop Miege High School. She has averaged 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Verhulst was named to the all-conference and all-state first teams and was honored as the 2023 4A Player of the Year. In addition to her athletic achievements, Verhulst received the Honors Society Academic Excellence Award. She also played volleyball, earning all-conference second-team honors. 

She comes from a basketball family: Her mother Robin played at Duke from 1988-1992, her father David played at Rockhurst from 1989-1993, her sister Ashton played at UCF before transferring to Central Missouri, and her sister Payton played at Louisville before transferring to Oklahoma.

"We are excited to have Kirston and her family join the Middle Tennessee women's basketball program," Insell said. "She has a great mind for the game. She comes from a true basketball family. She comes from a winning culture – both high school and summer ball program. Kirston has a lot of tenacity and grit and is an incredible shooter. She can run our basketball team. We are excited about what she will bring to the team, both offensively and defensively."