Nov. 13, 2013
Nov. 13, 2013
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Head coach Cindy Fisher of the University of San Diego women's basketball team has announced the signing of four players to National Letters of Intent to play basketball at USD beginning in the 2014-15 season. Signing their NLI's to play for the Toreros are Caroline Buhr (Mishawaka, Ind., Penn HS), Jamie Kissinger (Minden, Neb., Minden HS), Aubrey Ward-El (Vancouver, Wash., Skyview HS), and Sydney Williams (Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, Coeur d' Alene HS).
"I am thrilled with our 2014 class. We have brought in another very talented class that have incredible work ethic, strong character and they all are outstanding students," stated Fisher. "We are very blessed to have these four young ladies joining our Torero family."
Buhr, a 6-1 forward from Mishawaka, Ind., joins the Torero family by way of Penn High School. She is a preseason All-State selection to begin her senior season. As a junior, she returned from a knee injury to average 11.4 points-per-game, 5.8 rebounds-per-game, and 2.1 assists-per-game, while helping lead her team to a 19-5 overall record and a Northern Indiana Conference championship. In her sophomore season, she averaged 12.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, while setting a school record for single-season field goal percentage at 63.8 %. Caroline led her team to a 26-1 overall record, as a State Final Four finish. She was also a standout on the soccer field, earning two varsity letters in this sport. Heavily recruited by Miami of Ohio, Wake Forest, Toledo, Bowling Green, Texas Tech, and Indiana, Caroline chose to come to USD. Caroline states "I liked the school, the people, the coaching staff and players, and on top of that USD represented the type of school I was looking for academically. And I can't complain about the weather!"
"Caroline's ability to play inside and outside for us is going to make her a hard matchup for our opponents," stated Fisher. "Caroline's game is very smooth and she plays at an extremely high level. I am excited to see her on the floor and watch her game develop."
Kissinger, a 5-9 guard from Minden, Neb., comes to San Diego by way of Minden High School, where she was a standout for the girls basketball team. In her junior season, she averaged 15.7 ppg, 2.8 apg and 7.9 rpg, en route to surpassing the 1,000 career points mark, and helping lead her team to the state tournament. She is a three-time All-Southwest Conference selection, Hastings Tribune All-Area selection, and a Omaha World Herald All-State selection. As a sophomore, she averaged 15.9 ppg, 3.9 apg, and 7.5 rpg. In her freshman season, she averaged 16.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg ad 3.2 apg. Besides being a standout basketball player, she also lettered in track. Jamie comes from an athletic family with both parents competing at the collegiate level at Nebraska-Kearney. Her father, Brian, played basketball while her mother, Amy, was a volleyball player. Her brother, Derek, played basketball at Hastings College while Jamie's twin sister, Brooke, will play at Illinois. She was recruited by Princeton, North Dakota State, American University, New Hampshire, Denver, and Wyoming. "USD just seemed like the right fit for me" commented Jamie. "I've always dreamed of playing Division I basketball. When I was choosing my college I really took into consideration the level of education as well as the basketball. USD had a good balance of academics and athletics. Also, the coaches and players really welcomed me and gave me a good idea of the kind of people that go to USD."
"Jamie is a very versatile guard that brings great energy and work ethic to the floor. Her ability to spread the defense with her shooting will be a big asset to our program," said Fisher.
Ward-El, a 5-9 guard from Vancouver, Wash., comes to the Toreros after a stand out career at Skyview High School. In her junior season, she was named the Grater St. Helens League Player of the Year and the Columbia Newspaper Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year for both basketball and track. In her sophomore year, she took home second-team All-Greater St. Helens honors, while helping lead her team to the Washington 4A state championship. She also lettered in track and field, and swimming. Ward-El placed second in the state shot put, and fourth in the state javelin while on the track team. Aubrey was heavily recruited by Idaho, Northern Colorado, Washington State, Portland, UC Davis and Fresno State, but chose to come to USD because as she simply put it, "I love everything about the university and basketball program."
"Aubrey's ability to play the point or off guard is going to give her a great opportunity to play a lot of minutes for us," explained Fisher. "Aubrey's strength and athleticism is amazing and we are excited to add her energy to our team."
Williams, a 6-1 post player from Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, comes to USD's program after a outstanding career at Coeur d' Alene High School. As a junior, she averaged 13.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, en route to a second-team All-Idaho Basketball Team selection, and a first-team All-State Tournament selection. She also helped lead her team to a 21-6 overall record, and a second place finish in the state tournament. As a sophomore, she averaged 10.3 ppg, and 5.0 rpg, en route to being named second-team All-Idaho Basketball Team, and a first-team All-State Tournament selection, while helping lead her team to a third place finish in the state tournament with a 20-3 overall records. In her freshman season, she averaged 3.9 ppg and blocked a total of 13 shots, while helping lead her team to a second place finish in the state tournament with a 20-6 overall record. She lettered in volleyball and this year received All Inland Empire League 5A 1st Team honors. Sydney was recruited by Saint Mary's, Portland, Eastern Washington and Boise State. She stated, "I chose USD because their basketball program mirrors my values and work ethic when it comes to a team. The coaching staff believes in their girls and pushes them to be their best in the classroom and on the court. Academics are important to me and I know that USD will be intellectually challenging, provide opportunities to grow as a person, and prepare me for the future. The campus is beautiful, the people are welcoming, and the professors are devoted to their students. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a part of such an incredible program and I am looking forward to my future as a Torero!"
"Sydney is the power and strength that we are losing with our senior posts. She is a very strong player but also very fluent away from the basket," said Fisher. "Sydney brings great energy and work ethic that will help her contribute right away."
