Head Coach Tim Grove announces that seven new players will be joining the 2009-2010 Women’s basketball team. These seven include four freshmen and three transfers. They are:
1) Kelsey Erickson (Mora High School)
Kelsey had an outstanding career for the Mora Mustangs. At the primary guard position, Kelsey earned All-Conference honors four years, was team MVP three years, was All Sub-section two years, and is Mora’s all-time leading scorer with 1,216 career points. She finished second all-time in career assists and steals, behind UMM assistant coach Amy Balk. Kelsey, a good all-around athlete, also earned all-conference honors in volleyball (3 years) and softball (2 years).
“We are fortunate to have Kelsey joining our program,” said Coach Grove. “She has proven to be a good leader on and off the court and we are very happy she chose UMM.”
Kelsey is the daughter of Mike & Audri Erickson and plans to major in Mathematics Education/Coaching.
2) Abby McDaniel (Champlin Park High School)
Abby has been a part of some very successful teams at Champlin Park High School. Their 2007 team advanced to the State Tournament. The 2009 team was ousted in the Section 5AAAA championship game. Along with the team successes, Abby has enjoyed individual success, too. A very good all-around player, Abby earned honorable mention all-conference in the Northwest Suburban Conference as a senior.
“Abby is a competitor on both ends of the floor,” Coach Grove said. “She is a very well-rounded basketball player and will make her presence known in all areas of the game.”
Abby is the daughter of Doug & Beth McDaniel and plans to major is Economics & Business Management.
3) Emily Mehr (Aitkin High School)
Emily was a major part of the progressive success of the girl’s basketball program at Aitkin High School. The 2008-2009 team finished with an impressive 26-2 record, and lost in the Section 7AA championship game. Emily earned All-Conference honors four years, was a four-time member of the All-Area Team, was the 2009 Brainerd Dispatch Player of the Year, and finished her career as Aitkin’s all-time leading scorer.
“Emily had opportunities to go a lot of different places and we are ecstatic that she chose UMM,” said Coach Grove. “Emily will make an immediate impact on our program both on and off the court.”
Emily is the daughter of UMM grads Mark and Terry Mehr and plans to major in Elementary Education.
4) Jessica Benson (Bagley High School)
Jessica comes to UMM after a very successful basketball career at Bagley High School. She was recognized as a Pine to Prairie All Conference selection 3 years, was voted her team’s Most Valuable Player as well as Best Defensive Player, and was also a 1,000 point career scorer. Jessica is able to score from the 3 point line as well as taking the ball to the basket.
“We are very excited to add someone of Jessica’s caliber to our freshman class,” Coach Grove stated. “She not only can really score, but works equally hard on the defensive side of the ball.”
Jessica is the daughter of Dale & Cindy Benson and plans to major in Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy.
5) Hilary Groothuis (MACCRAY High School, Ridgewater Community College)
Hilary comes to UMM with a lot of quality basketball experience. As a player at MACCRAY, Hilary was twice named All-Conference, twice named to the All-Area Team, and was All-State Honorable Mention as a senior. During her two seasons at Ridgewater, she made the All-Division Team both years, was All-State both years, was named All-Region her sophomore year, and earned 3rd Team All-American as a sophomore. Also an outstanding volleyball player, Hilary made 1st Team All-American her sophomore season. The led her team to the National Championship her freshman year and runners-up to the National Title her sophomore year.
“Hilary is an outstanding athlete and brings a wealth of competitive experience to our team,” Coach Grove said. “She has the talent to be one of the top post players in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.”
Hilary is the daughter of Rick & Jane Groothuis and plans to major in Sports Management.
6) Tara Thielke (Hancock High School, Ridgewater Community College)
Tara has had a good two-year career at Ridgewater Community College after an outstanding high school career at Hancock. As a senior at Hancock, she led her team to the Class A State Championship game. She was an All-Conference performer and a 1,000 point scorer. In her time at Ridgewater, she earned All-Division Honorable Mention as a freshman, Second Team All-Division as a sophomore, as well as Second Team All-State. She performed very well, filling up the stat sheet in all areas.
Coach Grove said, “We are very fortunate to have Tara coming to UMM. She has the talent to contribute very well on both ends of the court.” Tara joins high school teammate Jennifer Noordmans on the Cougar team.
Tara is the daughter of Randy & LuJean Thielke and plans to major in Secondary Education or Psychology.
7) Brandi Cresap (Perham High School, Central Lakes Community College)
Brandi joins the program at UMM after two successful season playing point guard at Central Lakes Community College. As a sophomore last season, she was named 3rd Team All Division. As a player at Perham High School, Brandi was selected to the All-Conference Team her junior and senior seasons. She was awarded the team’s game ball for the season, and was named Perham’s Sportswoman of the Year. She brings experience and athleticism to UMM’s basketball program.
“Brandi is really a good basketball player. She is a capable scorer who distributes the ball well and could make an immediate impact on our team,” Coach Grove said.
Brandi is the daughter of Dave & Teri Cresap and plans to major in Elementary Education.
