DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College athletic department and women’s basketball head coach Dic Doumanian are pleased to announce the hiring of Nikki Oakland as the newest member of the Lady Jackets’ coaching staff. Oakland will serve as a graduate assistant for the Lady Jackets while pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.

“I am very excited to have Nikki join our staff. With her playing experience at Dayton and overseas, plus her positive attitude and strong work ethic, she is going to be a great addition to our team,” said Coach Doumanian.

Oakland played for the University of Dayton, where she was a team captain and the leading scorer and rebounder from 2007 to 2009. She was part of a Flyers team that posted the most wins in modern day history for Dayton, going 25-9 during the 2007-08 season. She left the university as one of the all-time greats, ranking second in career blocks, eighth in career rebounding and 16th in all-time scoring.

After graduating from Dayton with a degree in education, Oakland played professional basketball in Leon, Spain, for CB Bembibre. As a member of CB Bembibre, Oakland was a Leon All-Tournament selection and ranked third on the team in scoring and second in rebounding.

"I am very excited to join the coaching staff. I plan on bringing my collegiate and professional basketball experience and knowledge to the program and doing whatever I can to help the team be successful,” said Oakland.

The Lady Jackets won their first game with Oakland on the bench on Wednesday, December 9, as they defeated the Spartans of Manchester, 61-48, at the Karl H. Weaner Center. The Jackets will host The College of Wooster this Wednesday, with the tipoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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