MANKATO, Minn – Minnesota State women's head hockey coach Shari Dickerman has announced the signing of five student-athletes to join the Mavericks next season.

All signings are contingent upon admission to Minnesota State and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. 

"Our incoming 2026 class will bring a strong blend of playmaking ability, size, physicality and skill.  They bring some unique experience as members of Team Alberta and Team British Columbia Provincial teams along with Mia being a member of the United States U18 Team.  All five are high character, high compete individuals with leadership qualities that will allow them to blend in to our family and culture with ease.  We are excited to see them continue to develop this season and will be happy to welcome them to campus next fall."

Set to join Minnesota State is forward Lila Deis (Calgary, Alberta. / Edge School), goaltender Jaya Schippel (Lake Country, British Columbia. / George Elliot Secondary School) forward Katie Olfert (West Kelowna, British Columbia. / North Delta Secondary School) defender Mia Miller (Northfield, Minnesota. / Northfield High School) and forward Payton Finnie (Lethbridge, Alberta. / North Delta Secondary School).

Lila Deis | 5'5 | Forward | Calgary, Alberta | Edge School

Dies played for Edge school and was named assistant captain for the 2025/26 season… competed in the Canadian National U18 Championships in both 2024 and 2025... also held the role of assistant captain for Team Alberta at the 2025 U18 National Championships....Deis is daughter of Catharine and Tyler Dies… Her father is an alum of Minnesota State and played for the MSU men's hockey team… She plans on majoring in Sports Management.

Dickerman on Deis: "Lila is tenacious on the forecheck and plays with an edge. She sees the ice well and has the ability to adjust her speed to create offense off the rush and in transition.  Lila can make plays on her own and in combination."

Jaya Schippel | 5'9 | Goaltender | Lake Country, British Columbia | George Elliot Secondary School

Schippel played for George Elliot Secondary School… posted top goaltender stats during the 2024–25 CSSHL season... She was a member of the 2024 Stoney Creek Champions and Rink Hockey Showcase Champions... Her team also captured the 2024 CSSHL League Championship... Schippel represented Team BC as part of the U18 Canada Women's National Championship team.… Schippel is daughter of Neeru and David Schippel…Her mother played rugby at the University of Windsor, Ontario…Schippel intends on majoring in Biology.

Dickerman on Schippel: "Jaya will bring some size to the position as a 5'9" athletic goaltender.  She has solid fundamentals, reads the play well, is efficient in her movements and keeps the play in front of her with strong positioning.  She has a calm presence in net and great rebound control."

Katie Olfert | 5'10 | Forward | West Kelowna, British Columbia | North Delta Secondary School

Olfert played for North Delta Secondary school and was a 2025 Softball Provincial Champion... She helped her team capture the 2022 CSSHL U18 League Championship... Academically, she earned recognition on the North Delta Secondary School Principal's List and Honor Roll (x3)…Olfert is daughter of Kristie and Nate Olfert…She plans on majoring in Nursing.

Dickerman on Olfert: "Katie is a dynamic power forward who will have no problem adjusting to the physicality of the WCHA.  She is strong on her edges and powers her way to the middle of the ice.  She will be able to use her size and strength to win battles down low and get pucks to the net."

Mia Miller | 5'9 | Defender | Northfield, Minnesota | Northfield High School

Miller played for Northfield High School where she was a five-year varsity letter winner... She served as assistant captain in 2024–25 and will be captain for the 2025–26 season... She earned Big 9 All-Conference honors from 2023–25 and was named Minnesota Girls Hockey All-State Honorable Mention in 2023–24 before being selected to the All-State Team in 2024–25... Miller represented Minnesota and USA Hockey at multiple national levels, attending the USA Hockey 15s National Camp in 2023 and the 16/17s National Camps in both 2024 and 2025... She competed in the 2025 USA Hockey Tier 1 National Championship with MN Elite Silver and was selected for the 2025 USA Hockey U18 Women's Select Team and the 2026 U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team... Off the ice, Miller is a member of National Honor Society and serves as a Link Leader and R.A.L.I.E. member at Northfield High School…Miller is daughter of Christina and Cory Miller…Her father played hockey at the University of Minnesota…She intends to major in Psychology.

Dickerman on Miller: "Mia is a powerful and efficient skater.  She plays a physical game, with an ability to separate the puck from the opposition quickly. Her strong skating allows her to close out plays early and transition the puck to offense.  She makes a great first pass on the breakout and can get up the ice to join the rush."
 
 
Payton Finnie | 5'10 | Forward | Lethbridge, Alberta | North Delta Secondary School

Finnie played hockey for North Delta Secondary School… She was a member of the B.C. Provincial Hockey Team in 2025... She also became a B.C. District Champion in track and field in the 1500m event…Finnie is daughter of Shannon and Cheyno Finnie…Both of her parents played basketball at the University of Lethbridge… She plans to major in Business and Sport Management.

Dickerman on Finnie: "Payton has an incredible blend of creativity and deception to her game that allows her to make plays and generate offense.  She can play with pace and understands how to score. Deceptive speed, great vision and a dangerous shot will allow Payton to adjust to college hockey quickly."