FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 19, 2008

Former Lion Ela Zawadka begins professional career in Poland

Joplin, Mo. -- Former Missouri Southern forward Ela Zawadka began her professional basketball career this past Saturday in her home country of Poland as she took the court as part of Lotos Gdynia, a team in Poland's top professional league.

Lotos also represents all of Poland as the country's entry into FIBA's Euroleague, where they'll play against teams from Russia, Spain, France, the Czech Republic and Croatia.

Zawadka's new team consists of players from Poland, Belarus, Israel, Croatia, Serbia and the US. Zawadka is one of five players on the Lotos' roster with NCAA playing experience. Joining her are Natalia Marchanka (Farleigh-Dickinson), Jennifer Fleisher (Pennsylvania), Michelle Maslowski (Drexell) and Alana Beard (Duke). Beard is a former Division I Player of the Year and a three-time WNBA All-Star. She will join the team when her WNBA team (Washington Mystics) is through with their season.

"We have two players from Belarus who played for their national team during the Olympics this past August and finished sixth," Zawadka said. Our strength should be our posts. We have a Serbian (Ivana Matovic) who is 6-6, as well as Emilija Podrug who is 6-4 and played for the Croatian National Team."

"Obviously, we are extremely proud of Ela", said head coach Maryann Mitts. "The opportunity for her to play professionally speaks volumes to her outstanding work ethic, character, and talents. As an alum, she continues to provide great representation for Missouri Southern State University and our women's basketball program just as she did during her career as a student-athlete. Ela serves as a role model for future Missouri Southern basketball players who aspire to play professionally."