Women's basketball announced today four student-athletes have all signed National Letters of Intent. Meredith Hamlet (McBain, Mich./McBain), Claire Marburger (Perry, Iowa/Perry), Hannah Schaub (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center), and Allison Schofield (McCordsville, Ind./Heritage Christian) will join the Crusader program as freshmen for the 2015-16 season.

"If there's one characteristic we want to recruit in a student-athlete, it's winning players. We want players who are determined to come in and make an immediate impact and have an expectation of winning. These four are willing to put the work in to do that," head coach Tracey Dorow said.

Meredith will be the third Hamlet to play under Dorow. Elizabeth (2013-14) concluded her career with the Brown and Gold while Annemarie is in her first of three installments with the Crusaders. Hamlet is a four-year letterwinner for the McBain Ramblers. She has been named an Associated Press First Team player twice (2013, 2014), and a three-time All-North Team captain.

Hamlet has led McBain to two conference titles, two Regional titles, and a pair of state quarterfinal appearances. The Ramblers have gone a combined 59-11 on her watch. She holds the only quadruple-double in school history (22 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 steals) and she's closing in on Elizabeth and Annemarie's all-time scoring record of 1,624 points.

An advanced, all-around athlete, Hamlet was a four-year starter with volleyball where she earned All-State Honorable Mention accolades in 2012, 2013, and 2014. She also is a member of the softball team. Academically, Hamlet is a great fit for Valparaiso. She was named Academic All-State in both volleyball and basketball (2012, 2013, 2014) and is a member of National Honor Society. 

Coach Dorow on Hamlet: "Meredith is a finesse scorer with a dead eye from three point range. She can play point guard through the three position, and can do it all on the court. Meredith is a very well-rounded player, a proven scorer who will instantly make us better. We're really excited about having another Hamlet in the program."

(Hamlet)

Marburger is a four-year letterwinner under the Mike Long-led Perry Jayettes, and all three seasons she has been named First Team All-Raccoon River Conference, First Team All-District, and First Team All-Regional. Marburger has been named First Team All-State each of the past two seasons and earned First Team All-State Elite status in 2013-14. She was nominated for the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year this past season. 

Marburger is already Perry's career scoring leader (1,312), and she also holds single-game records in rebounds (18) as well as steals (7). The Jayettes have enjoyed a 46-23 (.667) record with Marburger leading them.

She's also a three-year letterwinner in volleyball as well as a track and golf athlete. This past season she earned Second Team All-Conference in volleyball, and was a state qualifier in the high jump in 2011-12.

In the classroom, the Iowa native is a National Honor Society member, an All-Academic Conference recipient, a three-time Academic Letter Winner, a member of the Honor Roll each of the past three years.

Coach Dorow on Marburger: "Claire is a really hard-nosed, tough, bruiser type player. She gets into the paint at ease. More importantly, Claire has been on a high-level AAU team (Kingdom Hoops), so she is used to playing and competing at a high-level. She felt comfortable since day one, and will be an instant fit."

 (Marburger)

Schaub, a five-year letterwinner, has been a varsity starter since eighth grade, a season in which she was named Honorable Mention All-Northwest Suburban Conference. She has served as a two-year captain and was a First Team All-Conference player from 9th-11th grade. Schaub served as point guard of the 2013-14 State AAA Champion Park Center Pirates.

She also excelled on the soccer and softball fields. She was a varsity soccer starter from 8th-11th grade and was a two-time varsity starter with softball. Park Center captured a State AA Championship during her eighth-grade season. 

Coach Dorow on Schaub: "Hannah is a true point guard who played for one of the top AAU programs (Minnesota North Tarton) at the highest level. I'm excited about the way she sees the floor and the way she makes the players around her better. She has a knack for taking care of the ball."

(Schaub)

Schofield comes from Heritage Christian, one of the most decorated high schools in the state. Schofield is a four-year letterwinner for the Eagles and has led the team in three-point shooting and free-throw shooting every season since her freshman year. The Eagles are 57-4 with her as a starter.

Heritage Christian is the reigning 2A State Champions as well as back-to-back 2A Sectional Champions. Individually, Schofield has been named to the Hoosier Basketball Magazine First Team All-State Team this year after earning Second Team honors in 2013-14. She was nominated as a Preseason All-State Second Team recipient, an Associated Press All-State Area Team Honorable Mention, and a Hoosier Basketball Magazine North/South Indiana All-Star this season.

Schofield led her AAU team to three state titles as well as a national championship.

She was a High Honor Roll member in 2011-2012, and named to the Honor Roll for the 2012-13, and 2013-14 academic years.

Coach Dorow on Schofield: "Allison is a knock-down three-point shooter. Nobody gets up more shots than her. She's used to winning, she's a fiery competitor, and epitomizes a team player. Allison committed early because she loves Valpo."

 (Schofield)