April 14, 2005

AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts women's basketball head coach Marnie Dacko has announced that Stefanie Gerardot has signed a national letter of intent and will enroll at UMass beginning this fall. Gerardot joins Sakera Young as the two members of the class of 2009.

Gerardot averaged 24.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.9 steals per game as a senior last year at Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. She was a 52 percent shooter from the field, 35 percent from three-point range and 73 percent from the free throw line. She set a school record with 600 points last season alone and finished second all-time at Bishop Luers with 1,448 career points.

"I am pleased to welcome Stefanie Gerardot to our team next season," said Dacko. "She will be a boost to our backcourt. Stefanie is a player that knows how to score whether it be from the three point line (and beyond), putting the ball on the floor or feeding the post players. Her high school team was extremely successful during her career and there is a reason for their success. The team works hard and plays an intelligent brand of basketball. Stefanie has been taught the fundamentals of the game and her play reflects this at both ends of the floor. Bishop Luers head coach Teri Rosinski has prepared her players to excel and I expect Stefanie to enjoy an outstanding career at UMass."

Gerardot's senior year accolades include McDonald's All-American nominee, Associated Press All-State third-team, member of the Indiana North All-Star team, Northeast Indiana News-Sentinel Player of the Year and Northeast Indiana Game Nite Player of the Year. Gerardot was a three-time, first-team All-Conference member, two-time, first-team All-Area pick as well as a two-time News Sentinel Fantastic Five pick. In 2004, she was a HSSP Tremendous 26, Hoosier Basketball All-State second-team, 21Alive Player of the Year finalist and an Associated Press honorable mention All-State.

Gerardot led her team to a 2002 IHSAA 3A State championship. They were also the runner-up in 2004. Gerardot was a captain her junior and senior seasons and selected as the team MVP in 2005. Her AAU team, the Mohr Magic, advanced to the National Elite 8 in 2004, the Elite 16 in 2003 and was a two-time Indiana state champion (2002 and 2003).

"Great things are ahead for the UMass basketball program," added Dacko. "Both Stefanie and Sakera Young, who signed during the early signing period, are players that will make us a better team. Athletically, these two have the tools to get the job done. I think we are bringing in two players who really love the game and want to do the work necessary to develop even more over their four years in Amherst. I think our fans our going to be very happy with our newest members."

Massachusetts is coming off a 14-15 2004-05 season where it advanced to the second round of the A-10 Tournament.