UNION CITY – Mississinawa Valley senior Syenna Purdin has signed with Indiana University East in Richmond, IN to continue her education and play basketball for the Red Wolves. IU East competes in the Rivers States Conference and is an affiliated NAIA school.
Syenna a four-year letter winner in basketball at Mississinawa Valley was an integral part of a senior class to achieve many first for the Lady Hawks and she took time to reflect on that.
“In the last four years there were quite a bit of ups and downs, but my team and I got through all of it, whether it was injuries or sickness. We all adjusted to everything. The team my junior year especially will always have a special place in my heart, the bond we all had was amazing. That might have been the best moments of my life, and I will never forget them. Going as far as we did in the tournaments was amazing and the support we all had was incredible. Just seeing everyone packing the gyms just to come watch us is a view I will never forget. And I get to say I was able to make it even further in tournaments my senior year and make even more history at MV. We really went out with a bang, and I’m going to miss it so much,” Purdin would express.
Mississinawa went 21-6 in 2023-24, finished runner-up in WOAC and captured the first District championship in history before falling in the regional semi-finals. The 21 wins would be the most in school history and they duplicated it the following season.
The Lady Hawks went 21-5 in 2024-25 captured the Western Ohio Athletic Conference league title with a 10-1 league record and repeated as District Champions and advanced for the first time to the Regional Finals coming up short to advancing to the state final four.
“Coming into high school I feel like everyone looked down on our girls’ team because of previous records. My freshman year we began to break records, and it was just the beginning. We broke records as a team and as individuals, and we didn’t stop until our senior year. It’s amazing to know how much of an impact we had on our girls’ program,” Purdin added.
Purdin often playing in the shadows of Taylee Woodbury (a generational player) were a dynamic duo over their four years and Syenna’s individual contributions puts her near the top of a few categories in school history.
She scored a total of 811 points making her the 6th best in total points scored in a career for Girls Basketball at Mississinawa Valley.
Syenna also recognized the support of the coaching staff in helping the team grow over her four years into the winners they became.
“The team had a lot of fun with the coaching staff. We’ve gotten along with them ever since we met them. they knew when to push us and when we had time to joke around a little bit. it was a lot of fun with them every practice. They did so much for us and spent hours and hours on the phone with each other talking about what to do each day at practice. They were very dedicated to us, and it really showed. I’m glad they were with the seniors for all of our high school career. It means a lot to build that type of bond with a coach over so many years. They were very supportive and there for us and if we had something going on they would always check up on us and I can’t thank them enough for putting up with us for the last 4 years. I had a lot of fun with them,” Purdin stated.
Syenna is glad that she can continue playing close to home and get her education paid while doing something she loves.
“It’s very exciting to know that I can continue to play the sport that I’ve always loved since elementary school. I mean I was so nervous about playing my first game as a freshman on varsity, I can’t wait to be able to describe how it’ll feel to play at the next level. It really is a blessing that I am getting my schooling paid for, it’s a huge relief,” Purdin stated.
It was also important to get support from her family as well, and Syenna acknowledged that.
“My sophomore year, I lost my older cousin due to a car wreck, it really took a toll on my mental health and really changed my perspective on life. It made me realize how fast anything can happen and how short life can be. I learned to not take anything for granted and enjoy everything in life. I went into every practice and game after that and played the best that I possibly could. My friends and family were there for me through everything and supported me the whole way. Forward to this year, mid-season I lost my grandma due to cancer, it was really tough. But, I was so blessed to have the friends that I have that were there for me during that time. I pushed through the season for her, I knew she wouldn’t want me to give up, and I knew she was still cheering me on. I played my last games for her and Kaden.
Syenna’s parents played a vital role in her growth as well.
“My dad (Tony) unfortunately wasn’t able to come to my last few high schools’ games due to traveling for work. So, knowing that he can watch me play at the next level makes me very happy,” Syenna commented.
“My mom (Lori) has always been there as well, ever since I’ve started playing. I don’t think she’s ever missed a single game. Ever since I started playing AAU Basketball in 8th grade, she bought a camera and has brought it along right up to my very last game. She fell in love with taking sports pictures. She does so much for me, and I can’t think her enough for the support and love she’s given me, even if it meant almost getting kicked out of games,” Syenna laughed.
“My parents will forever be my biggest supporters, and I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done,” Syenna concluded.
