Marquette University Athletics
Women' Basketball Signs Three to Letters of Intent
11/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Recruiting class ranked 21st in the nation
MILWAUKEE ? Marquette women's basketball head coach Terri Mitchell has announced the signings of three to National Letters of Intent. Krystal Ellis of Racine, Wis.; Erin Monfre of Waukesha, Wis; and Marissa Thrower of Detroit, Mich., have signed with Marquette.
?We are extremely excited about the three players who signed with us," head coach Terri Mitchell said. "They will all make significant contributions to the success of this program. The entire recruiting process of each player was extremely enjoyable because of their great families and coaches. They provided us the opportunity to interact with them and get to know the character of each player. This class truly possesses the work ethic and passion that are the trademarks of this team.?
Ellis is a 5-foot-9 guard from St. Catherine's High School and was very well honored as a junior. She was named Milwaukee-area Player-of-the-Year by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel following her junior season. She averaged 19.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in her junior year.
?Krystal possesses outstanding athleticism that will be utilized on both ends of the court,? Mitchell said. ?She has a quick first step that gives her an edge, whether that is creating for her teammates or going hard to the basket. She also brings to the team great defensive intensity and will make things happen. She will provide depth for us at the point guard and shooting guard positions. We are thrilled that Krystal will be wearing the blue and gold.?
She guided St. Catherine?s to a state semifinal appearance as a junior. Ellis was also named first-team all-state by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as a sophomore and helped lead St. Catherine's to a Division 2 state runner-up as a freshman. Ellis selected Marquette over Cincinnati, Cleveland State and Temple.
?She's a very good passer, a three-point threat and can create shots for herself and her teammates,? said Racine St. Catherine's head coach Jeff Tarkowski. ?She has the potential to be a very good defensive player and is just an all-around great athlete. If she puts in the effort and the time, she can be successful as a college freshman. It's great for our program as well. She's the first player in my seven years to play Division I basketball. It was good for us when she signed with a great program like Marquette.?
Monfre is a 5-foot-11 guard from Waukesha South. She scored 13.2 points per game and averaged 7.0 assists as a junior, leading South to a conference title and sectional semifinal appearance. She was a first-team all-state selection last year by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and was selected as conference Player-of-the-Year.
?Erin will provide an immediate boost to our scoring ability,? Mitchell said. ?She is a great shooter beyond the arc and can equally make things happen with penetration. She has a tremendous love for the game which is reflected in the countless hours she spends in the gym. That work ethic, which she already exhibits, is one of her outstanding characteristics which will help her lead the team in the future. I know Erin will impact our program both on and off the court.?
Monfre took part in the USA Basketball Women's Youth Development Festival at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs last June, where she took part in a combine with 47 top juniors in the nation. As a sophomore, Monfre averaged 13.9 points per game and was a second-team all-state selection. Monfre chose Marquette over Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota and Notre Dame.
?Erin clearly has the potential to make a big impact on the Division I level. What makes her special is her ability to shoot the ball and see the floor. But she doesn't like to tell you how good she is, she likes to show it to you,? said Waukesha South head coach Paul Darling. ?Terri and her staff did such a thorough job of recruiting Erin. The thing that struck me most was that Terri showed she cares about Erin as an individual and not just a basketball player.?
Thrower is a 5-foot-11 forward from Renaissance High School. She is currently a finalist for Miss Basketball in Michigan and is rated the 29th best player by the Blue Star Report.
?Marissa is having a fantastic senior season and we are excited that she will bring her winning attitude to Marquette,? Mitchell said. ?She is an explosive player that can make things happen in the paint or facing the basket. Marissa?s athleticism is amazing and this shows in her great rebounding and shot blocking abilities. She brings the versatility in her play that we need to compete in the Big East. We are looking for Marissa to be one of the leaders of this team because of her outstanding attitude and commitment.?
Thrower has led Renaissance to a city championship game appearance in her senior year and is currently averaging 20 points and eight rebounds per game. Defensively, she also records four steals and three blocks per game. Thrower chose Marquette over North Carolina State, Georgetown and Temple.
?These three players will make significant impacts to our program both on and off the court because they are not only talented players, but also very special individuals,? Mitchell said. ?I am sure that these three players will leave their mark on Marquette University and our program.?
This Marquette recruiting class was ranked 21st by the Blue Star Report.
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