BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary women's basketball team announced the commitment of four student-athletes during the early NCAA signing period. Kassandra Bartek of Oak Creek (WI) High School, Tonya Dvorak of Bismarck (ND) St. Mary's Central High School, Carly Kottsick of Fargo (ND) Davies High School and Alexis "Lexie" Schneider of Appleton (WI) East High School will continue their education at UMary and compete for the Marauders beginning in the fall of 2018.
 
"We knew going into the recruiting process that 2018 had a chance to be a big class," said Marauders head coach Rick Neumann. "We are still actively looking to add to our class but we feel great about the young ladies joining our program today. They are all talented, which is obviously the first factor we look for, but also high-character people. They come from great families and are choosing the University of Mary for the right reasons, both academically and athletically. We have a tremendous core of young student athletes in our program right now with a bright future for Marauders fans. Carly, Kassandra, Tonya and Lexi will certainly add to that excitement. It's a great time to be a Marauder and we are extremely excited to welcome Carly, Kassandra, Tonya and Lexi and their families to the University of Mary community."
 
Kassandra Bartek (G, 5-10, Fr., Oak Creek WI / Oak Creek High School)
2016-17 Now Newspaper All-Suburban Girls Team honorable mention selection as a junior… helped Oak Creek (WI) High School to a 23-5 record overall and 15-0 in league play as a junior in 2016-17… Averaged 9.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and shot 47 percent from the field, 38 percent behind the arc 73 percent at the line as a junior.
 
"Kassandra is one of the best 3-point shooters in Wisconsin," said Marauders head coach Rick Neumann. "As a junior she was top five in the state in both makes and percentage. Perimeter shooting is a very valuable skill that allows you to provide great value to our overall offensive scheme. With Dani Williams graduating we knew we wanted to bring in a wing player who could really stretch the floor. Kassandra is just that. The rest of her game will develop as she gains strength and an understanding of college basketball but there is no doubt she will become a contributor in the near future."
 
Tonya Dvorak (G, 6-1, Fr., Bismarck ND / St. Mary's Central High School)
Earned all-conference honors for St. Mary's Central High School in Bismarck, ND, as a junior in 2017… averaged 11.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.2 blocks per game and shot 41 percent from the floor as a junior in 2016-17… team captain… Multi-sport athlete who also lettered in golf and soccer… won a team state golf championship in 2016… A member of Catholic Athletes for Christ and Saints for Life and is an assistant chaplain… daughter of Carolanne and Allan Dvorak… will major in business or nursing at the University of Mary.
 
"Tonya is one of the best players in the 2018 North Dakota graduating class," said Marauders head coach Rick Neumann. "At 6-1 she possesses a unique skill set. Tonya can really shoot the basketball as well as put it on the floor and finish very creatively around the rim. If the match up calls for it she can duck into the post but she certainly is more comfortable on the perimeter. Any time we can add length like Tonya's it is a blessing. Her diversity will allow her the chance to really flourish at the college level. It is especially rewarding to keep one of the best players in the state, as well as a local Bismarck product, in the blue and orange. We really feel Tonya has a chance to be an impactful NCAA Division II player. She had numerous offers from all levels but ultimately decided UMary was the best fit for her. We are excited that so many local fans of hers and of St. Mary's will be able to watch her play on a consistent basis."
 
 
Carly Kottsick (G, 5-8, Fr., Fargo, ND / Davies High School)
Two-time All-Eastern Dakota Conference selection for Fargo (ND) Davies High School as a sophomore (2016) and junior (2017)… Averaged 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.9 steals per game in the regular season as a junior in 2016-17 and led Davies High School to a final record of 18-7… a multi-sport athlete who also plays softball.
 
"We are extremely excited to have Carly join our program," said Marauders head coach Rick Neumann. "She is one of the toughest competitors we've recruited and will provide toughness and sureness at the point guard position. She benefited greatly from playing for Tim Jacobson last year at Fargo Davies. Tim is one of the best coaches in the history of North Dakota basketball and has been instrumental in helping identify players for us. Carly sold me on her ability at the North Dakota State High School tournament as a junior. She single-handedly kept her team in games by making play after play. Carly controls tempo, is physical enough to get to the rim, and is a threat from behind the arc. It's always great to add a quality North Dakota athlete to our program."
 
Alexis "Lexie" Schneider (F, 6-3, Fr., Appleton, WI / Appleton East High School)
An all-conference second team selection as a junior for Appleton (WI) East High School in 2017… averaged 11.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game her junior season… team captain… also lettered as a freshman and sophomore… averaged 5.6 points and 8.0 rebounds as a sophomore in 2016 and 4.0 points and 3.4 rebounds as a freshman in 2015… multi-sport athlete who was a first team all-conference volleyball player as a senior in 2016 and a honorable mention choice as a junior in 2015… volunteers with Special Olympics… daughter of Joe Schneider and Brenda Thoe.
 
"We are extremely excited to welcome Lexie to our program," said Marauders head coach Rick Neumann. "She was someone we started recruiting very late in the normal timeline of recruiting. She just recently took her official visit to campus and simply fell in love with Mary and our basketball program. Lexie is rated as the #13 recruit in the 2018 class according to the Midwest Recruiting Report, the leading evaluator of upper Midwest prospects for all NCAA divisions. She is not a traditional back to the basket post but rather someone who can step out to the 3-point line as well as attack off the dribble. Her skill set matches our philosophy perfectly and we expect Lexie to compete for immediate playing and to impact our program from day one. She has tremendous length and athleticism and gets up and down the floor like a guard. We wanted to add one if not two high school posts to this class and we feel very fortunate that the educational interests and small campus feel of Mary are exactly what Lexie was looking for."
 
The Marauders open their home schedule on Saturday, Nov. 18, against Dickinson State University at 4 pm.
 
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