UND women's basketball brings in two guards on signing day
Nov. 9—GRAND FORKS — Two guards signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday to join UND women's basketball.
Jocie Schiller, a
multisport standout from Grand Forks Red River
, and Skyler Volmer, a
five-year starter from Lyman High School
in Presho, S.D., will join Mallory Bernhard's program in 2024.
Schiller led Red River to a 2023 North Dakota Class A state championship and set a championship game scoring record with 34 points. She is the Riders' all-time leader in points scored (1,582), assists (448) and steals (452).
Schiller averaged 25.6 points, 6.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 6.5 steals per game in her junior year.
"Not only is Jocelyn one of the best players to ever come out of Red River High School, but when she's on the floor, she makes everyone better," Red River coach Kent Ripplinger said. "Her commitment and drive has helped her develop into one of the most skilled offensive players we've ever had in our program. Equally impressive is her ability to defend — she plays with tenacity and has a motor that never stops."
Schiller has numerous basketball accolades, including being named the 2022-23 North Dakota Class A Girls Basketball Player of the Year by Midco Sports, but has also made a name for herself in other sports.
She won the North Dakota Class A individual cross country title this fall and won Class A state titles in the 400 meter, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay this spring.
"Jocie's achievements in the last year alone are evidence as to why we are so incredibly excited to add a local standout and the state's best," Bernhard said. "She is the definition of a winner. Jocie brings a scoring and shooting ability that we are excited to add to our roster and an intensity on the defensive end to boot. At the University of North Dakota, we will always strive to bring in the state's best players to represent the 701 and we know we have that with Jocie."
Volmer led Lyman to the Class B SoDak 16 last season. She was named the Western Great Plains Conference MVP and was an All-State selection last year.
She passed 1,000 career points in January, in a season where she averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
"She is an explosive player that can score on all three levels and is a tenacious defender," Bernhard said. "What makes Skyler stand out is her work ethic and the chip on her shoulder. She comes from a great basketball background and has had coaches that have really helped develop her game. She embodies every quality our programs wants, and I am thrilled to add her."
Volmer is also a standout multi-sport athlete in volleyball and track and field, placing in four state track and field events last year. She finished second in the high jump, second in the 110-meter hurdles and third in triple jump. Volmer holds the Lyman school record in the high jump.
"We are extremely proud of her decision to attend UND and play women's basketball for the Fighting Hawks," said Volmer's Lyman coach and dad Cody, who played college basketball at South Dakota State. "Coach Mal, Coach Mo (assistant John Motherwell) and the staff are a great fit for Skyler, and we look forward to their continued success together."
