BEMIDJI, Minn. — Former Belleville Wildcat Rachael Heittola will play NCAA Division II basketball for Bemidji State University during the 2020-21 season.

Heittola, a sophomore majoring in exercise science, is a 6-2 forward/center for Bemidji State’s women’s basketball program this year. Last year, Heittola was an All-NSIC Freshman Team player, shooting 45.3% from the field, averaging 10.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in 27 contests. She also finished 10th in the conference in free throw percentage. She scored a career-high 32 points against Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 22, 2020.

In high school, Heittola was a two-time first-team all-conference player in the Capitol South. She was also an all-state goalie in soccer for the Sugar River Raiders. She is the daughter of Myron and Lois Heittola, and is an exercise science major with a medical fitness emphasis.

The women’s program is guided by Chelsea DeVille, who begins her sixth season in 2020-21.

Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.