UMC Women's BB Signs Four Players to National Letters of Intent

CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball program announced the additions of four student-athletes during the Early Signing Period. Dawn Leland (6-1, G/F, Merrill, Wis./Merrill H.S.), Gabby Smith (5-10, G/F, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson H.S.), Micaela Noga (5-7, G, Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie H.S. and Isieoma Odor (6-0, F, Bloomington, Minn./John F. Kennedy H.S.), all signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball for UMC. The four players will begin playing during the 2014-15 season.

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to the release of information.

“We are bringing in a lot of depth at a variety of positions with this signing class,” said UMC Head Women’s Basketball Coach Mike Roysland. “This group has the potential to be a tremendous class for us. We are very excited to have them in the fold for the University fo Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball program.”

Dawn Leland, 6-1, G/F, Merrill, Wis./Merrill H.S.

Leland is ranked in the top 40 among high school seniors in the state of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Sports Network for the 2014 class. She was named her team’s most improved varsity player for the 2011-12 season. Leland averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game as a junior for Merrill High School.  She tallied a season-high 12 points versus Wausau West High School. Had 11 points in two games against Lincoln High School. Leland also served as a team captain for the C.W. Elite AAU team and was named Athlete of the Week in 2013 by her local paper.

She is the daughter of John and Arnnette Leland. She plans to major in natural resource management. Leland was born June 26, 1996.

“Dawn is a long athletic player who can play the point but is someone who will be well suited in college to play on the wing,” Roysland said. “Her point guard assets are going to be a huge asset for us though because of the passing she will bring us from the wing.”

Gabby Smith, 5-10, G/F, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson H.S.

Smith was a 2013 South Suburban All-Conference Honorable Mention selection. She has served as the team captain for Bloomington Jefferson H.S. during her senior season. Smith averaged 9.3 points per game as a junior and had a team-high 20-point game on the season. She also competes for the Minnesota Stars AAU club. She has been a four-year letterwinner on the basketball team.

Gabby is the daughter of Alan and Clare Smith. She plans to major in education at UMC. She was born June 18, 1996.

“Gabby is a hard-working player that has great range from the outside,” Roysland said. “She also brings a high basketball I.Q. and understanding of the game. Gabby reminds me a lot of Ashley Martell, who is currently on the team, and we are excited to add her to our class.”

Micaela Noga, G, 5-7, Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie H.S.

Noga has been named All-Little Eight Conference basketball during each of her four seasons so far playing on the varsity team, with one season still remaining. She has also been named All-Little Eight Conference for volleyball for four-consecutive seasons, as well as for softball. Noga was an All-State selection in basketball in 2010 and 2011. Noga has scored over 2,000 points on the basketball court and has 1,032 career assists in volleyball. She also played on the North Tartan Elite AAU team. She has been an academic letterwinner for all four of her high school years and is a member of National Honor Society.

Noga is the daughter of Nancy and John Noga. She is undecided on a major. She was born Oct. 13, 1995. Her sister Sari was the Associated Press Player of the Year in Minnesota in 2010. She is a senior starter on the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team.

“Micaela is a point guard that is going to bring a lot of grit to our team,” Roysland said. “She sees the floor really well and can shoot the three, as well as attack the rim. She comes from a very strong basketball background as her sister plays for the Golden Gophers and her Dad has been the head coach at Parkers Prairie for a long time. She possesses a great knowledge of the game.”

Isieoma Odor, F, 6-0, Bloomington, Minn./John F. Kennedy H.S. (E.C.-oh-ma Oh-dore)

Odor averaged 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for John F. Kennedy H.S. last season. She is a captain of the basketball team. Tallied 10 points against Chanhassen and had eight points in the section playoffs against Chanhassen. Grabbed seven boards against Anoka H.S.

She is the daughter of Pamela and Howard Odor. She plans to major in health sciences with a physical therapy emphasis. She was born Dec. 18, 1995.

“Isieoma will bring a very athletic presence to the post position,” Roysland said. “She is long and has a lot of strength inside and will really help us in the post with her rebounding skills and scoring in the paint. Isieoma also has great jumping ability.”

The four signees will join a deep UMC roster that currently includes 14 players with the Golden Eagles only scheduled to graduate one senior from this year’s roster in Jacy Christenson (Sr., G, Shoreview, Minn.)

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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The University of Minnesota Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).