Shannel Kovalsky and Aysha Peter were All-NWAC picks for Bellevue College last season.
From high school rivals to junior college teammates, Shannel Kovalsky and Aysha Peter will now share a Golden Heart City homecoming.
The two Fairbanks women played alongside each other this past season for Bellevue College, and they’ll run it back at UAF after both former All-NWAC North Region first teamers both signed with the Nanooks this week, bolstering Michael Ricks’ squad going into the fall.
“Nothing is like home,” Kovalsky told UAF after signing.
Together, Kovalsky and Peter powered Bellevue to a 10-4 conference mark and berth to the NWAC Tournament, helping the team advance to the Sweet 16.
Kovalsky, a 5-foot-11 forward, started 23 of 25 games for Bellevue, averaging 11.3 points on 49% shooting to go with 7.2 rebounds per game. She bagged 16 double-doubles, scored a season-high of 25 points and was named NWAC North Region Freshman of the Year.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Shannel back home to Fairbanks,” said Ricks. “She brings size, physicality and a strong presence around the basket, and we believe she has the potential to make a significant impact in our program.”
Kovalsky (Monroe) and Peter (West Valley) each scored 1,000 points in high school.
Peter played two seasons for Bellevue was earned NWAC North Region Freshman of the Year in 2025. She’s a two-time All-NWAC pick and averaged 12.3 points in 57 career games.
Her 701 points rank third among active college scorers from Alaska, trailing only Anchorage’s Sayvia Sellers (Washington) and Mikayla Johnson (Central Florida by way of Pitt).
“Aysha is a proven scorer who has had tremendous success at the junior college level,” Ricks said. “She puts a lot of pressure on defenses with her ability to shoot the ball and having a player of her caliber return home to Fairbanks is a tremendous addition for our program.”
