MONROE - With her family and coaches surrounding her Wednesday evening, Monroe senior Ashley Hermanson signed her national letter of intent to play at the University of Nebraska at Kearney next season.
"It feels really good," Hermanson said. "It's hard to describe how I feel right now."
A premier post player with the Cheesemakers since her freshman season, Hermanson has worked her way into the recruiting world. Playing on a state championship team (2008), a state qualifier (2009) and AAU team Wisconsin Hoops Select during the offseason, Hermanson has molded her game to the point where her play demanded to be noticed.
"I didn't think I would go that far, I was going to stay private, but then they offered the scholarship and I was like, 'Wow, this is what I've always wanted to do.' So I took it," she said.
At the 2008 state tournament, she was named to the All-Tournament team. Last season as a junior, Hermanson averaged 12 points and over six rebounds a game, earned All-State honors, and led the Cheesemakers to a 23-3 overall record.
Now, the senior forward will enjoy her final season of high school hoops before journeying to the Cornhusker State.
"People have just told me to keep my head up and 'You'll do great,'" she said.
Nebraska-Kearney came as a bit of a surprise to Hermanson, who had hoped to maybe play at the Division III level next year. However, when the scholarship was offered, she jumped at the chance.
"It was crazy. I had never talked to Nebraska before, but they contacted me. I went out for a visit and fell in love with it," she said. "It just kind of happened really fast."
Nebraska-Kearney is coached by Carol Russell, who took over as the school's fifth coach in its 39-year history in 2002. In her time at UN-K, Russell has led the Lopers to a 154-61 record, two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles and five NCAA Division II tournament appearances. Last season, the Lopers produced the RMAC East Division player of the year, Jade Meads.
"They've made it to the NCAA Tournament the last few years, so they are really good," Hermanson said. As far as the style of play UN-K uses, Hermanson said it was fast paced.
"It feels really good," Hermanson said. "It's hard to describe how I feel right now."
A premier post player with the Cheesemakers since her freshman season, Hermanson has worked her way into the recruiting world. Playing on a state championship team (2008), a state qualifier (2009) and AAU team Wisconsin Hoops Select during the offseason, Hermanson has molded her game to the point where her play demanded to be noticed.
"I didn't think I would go that far, I was going to stay private, but then they offered the scholarship and I was like, 'Wow, this is what I've always wanted to do.' So I took it," she said.
At the 2008 state tournament, she was named to the All-Tournament team. Last season as a junior, Hermanson averaged 12 points and over six rebounds a game, earned All-State honors, and led the Cheesemakers to a 23-3 overall record.
Now, the senior forward will enjoy her final season of high school hoops before journeying to the Cornhusker State.
"People have just told me to keep my head up and 'You'll do great,'" she said.
Nebraska-Kearney came as a bit of a surprise to Hermanson, who had hoped to maybe play at the Division III level next year. However, when the scholarship was offered, she jumped at the chance.
"It was crazy. I had never talked to Nebraska before, but they contacted me. I went out for a visit and fell in love with it," she said. "It just kind of happened really fast."
Nebraska-Kearney is coached by Carol Russell, who took over as the school's fifth coach in its 39-year history in 2002. In her time at UN-K, Russell has led the Lopers to a 154-61 record, two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles and five NCAA Division II tournament appearances. Last season, the Lopers produced the RMAC East Division player of the year, Jade Meads.
"They've made it to the NCAA Tournament the last few years, so they are really good," Hermanson said. As far as the style of play UN-K uses, Hermanson said it was fast paced.
