Women's Basketball Announces 2011 Signees

Women's Basketball Announces 2011 Signees

Pictured to the right: 2011 Bronco women's basketball signee Nici Gilday (left) and 2011 Bronco volleyball signee Katy Schatzman (right).  Both attend Presentation High School in San Jose, Calif.


Santa Clara, Calif. –
 Santa Clara head women's basketball coach Jennifer Mountain announced the 2011 Bronco signing class on Wed., Nov. 10. The 2011 Santa Clara class Nici Gilday of San Jose, Calif. (Presentation HS); Vanessa Leo of San Jose, Calif. (Archbishop Mitty HS); Colleen Rooney of Centennial, Colo. (Regis Jesuit HS); and Tyler Woods of Corona, Calif. (Centennial Corona HS).

"All four of our future Broncos fit the mold of what Santa Clara is all about.  They are extremely bright young women who value education and grasp what it means to be a Bronco both on and off the court.  They are great role models and will represent Santa Clara with respect and class at all times.  I am very excited about them joining us next year and having the chance to coach them," said Bronco head coach Jennifer Mountain. 

The 2011 Bronco class includes:

Name                    Position            Height            Hometown (High School)

Nici Gilday                 Guard                5-7                San Jose, Calif. (Presentation HS)

Vanessa Leo            Forward               6-4                San Jose, Calif. (Archbishop Mitty HS)

Colleen Rooney        Forward               6-3               Centennial, Colo. (Regis Jesuit HS)

Tyler Woods            Point Guard          5-5                Corona, Calif. (Centennial Corona HS) 

NICI GILDAY
5'7  Guard  San Jose, Calif. (Presentation HS)
Gilday attends Presentation High School … Wade Nakamura is both her high school and her club coach … Is a member of the Metro San Jose Club Team … Named second-team All-CCS her junior year and was also named WCAL Honorable Mention last season.

Coach Mountain on Nici Gilday: "Nici is one of the hardest working kids we have recruited.  A local talent  from Presentation high school, she has been a long time fan of Bronco Basketball.  She has one the purest mid range games that I have ever seen from a high school player.  She brings competitiveness, eagerness and pride to our program.  She has a work ethic that will push everyone around her to make them better and she will not settle in any situation.  I am very excited to have her join our Bronco family. She is a perfect fit academically and athletically.  She will have a great future here!" 

VANESSA LEO
6'4  Post  San Jose, Calif. (Archbishop Mitty HS)
Leo attends Archbishop Mitty High School … Sue Phillips is both her high school and club coach … 4-year varsity player in high school … Three-year prep record: 70-27 (includes two league titles, two section titles, NorCal Division II Champion and CIF Div II State Champs … Last year, Vanessa led the Monarchs in blocked shots, averaging 3 bpg, adding 7 ppg and 8 rpg … Hoop Gurlz ranked her No. 12, giving her four out of five stars and a 91 percent grade ... She is a member of the San Jose Cagers Club Team … Younger sister of Bronco sophomore Lindsay Leo.

Coach Mountain on Vanessa Leo: "Vanessa joins us from one of the most  reputable programs in the bay area, Arch Bishop Mitty High School.  A product of Sue Phillips, she brings an instant understanding of the game, work ethic and grit. Vanessa will join sister Lindsay Leo as the Duo will battle down low for us for the next seven years combined. I am excited for Vanessa to join us as she gets to stay close to family. She is a 6-4 versatile post who can run the floor and has nice hands.  She will add instant size to our roster with an understanding of what it takes to win and how to succeed on and off the court." 

COLLEEN ROONEY
6'3  Forward  Centennial, Colo. (Regis Jesuit High School)
Rooney attends Regis Jesuit High School … Carl Mattei is both her high school and club coach … Is a member of the Mile High Magic Club Team … McDonald's High School All-American Honorable mention … her team was state champs her sophomore season … She is part of a program that has only lost 14 games in her time with Regis Jesuit High School … High school and club teammate of Bronco sophomore Ruta Zurauskyte.

Coach Mountain on Colleen Rooney: "Colleen brings versatility to the Broncos.  She is a 6-3 forward that has the ability to play the perimeter as well as post up on the block.  She comes from a great high school program with a lot of history and she is one of the top players from the state of Colorado.  I look forward to having additional size out on the perimeter. Colleen is long and lean and she knows how to win.  She is a great fit for our program both on and off the court.  She exemplifies everything that it means to be a Bronco."

TYLER WOODS
5-5  Guard  Corona, Calif. (Centennial Corona High School)
Woods attends Centennial Corona High School … Her father Martin Woods is her high school coach … She is a member of the Compton Magic Club Team … She was first-team all-league twice … All-Riverside Honorable Mention.

Coach Mountain on Tyler Woods: "Tyler comes to us with an extreme understanding of the game and is a competitor.  Her father is a coach and has instilled a great work ethic. Tyler works extremely hard and has high expectations for herself.  She will add instant speed on both sides of the ball and has the ability to make a lot happen. We are delighted that she has chosen Santa Clara and look forward to a positive future with Tyler."