NAMPA, Idaho — Looking to return the Crusaders to their place as a perennial NCAA National Tournament team, new head coach Brian Holsinger quickly added two star recruits to a talented core of returners.

Northwest Nazarene's women's basketball coach is pleased to announce the signing of NCAA Division I transfer Maya Rodgers and international star Marina Vallés Monserdà to National Letters-of-Intent.

Rodgers, who will be a sophomore at NNU, is a local product who graduated from Rocky Mountain High School in the spring of 2015 and played in 28 games for the University of Denver.

Vallés, a native of Mollet del Vallès, Barcelona, in Spain, was preselected to the Spanish National Team in 2014.

The duo will join the Crusaders for the 2016-17 season.
 
Here is a look at the newest members of the Crusader women's basketball team:

MARINA VALLÉS MONSERDÀ (SANT GERVASI IN MOLLET DEL VALLÈS, BARCELONA, SPAIN) 

Vallès comes to the Crusaders after guiding her club team, Sant Adrià, to the Championship of Catalonia Junior in 2016, as she averaged 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 4.3 steals per game for the club's Junior A team.

A star player growing up, Marina was preselected to the Catalonia Team (all-region) as a 10-year-old and as a 15-year-old, and was preselected for the 2014 National Spanish Team.

In 2015, Vallès was named the MVP of the Valencia Tournament with Granollers Basket Club, and led her Club Bàsket Granollers team to third in the Championship of Catalunya in the 2014-15 season.

"I am thrilled to sign a point guard the caliber of Marina," Holsinger said of the international star. "She brings us a point guard with length and a fantastic feel for the game.

"She prides herself on making everyone around her better, but what truly makes Marina special is her character," NNU's coach added. "Her experience in Spain, combined with who she is and her basketball skill level, will make an immediate impact on the NNU women's basketball program." 
 
MAYA RODGERS (U. OF DENVER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN HS IN MERIDIAN, IDAHO)

Rodgers returns home to the Treasure Valley after playing in 28 games with the NCAA D-I Pioneers, where she started six games, averaged nearly 15 minutes a contest and 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game as a true freshman.

That after a dazzling career with the Grizzlies as she was named First Team All-State as a senior in 2015, was MVP of the Idaho All-Star Game, was Rocky Mountain's leading scorer and rebounder along with team captain as a senior, and broke the 1,000-point plateau in her high school career.

Away from the hardwood, the 5-foot-11 forward was a star student as she graduated with a 4.01 GPA and was a four-time All-Conference Academic Team selection.

"I chose NNU because as soon as I arrived I felt as though I was already a part of the team," Rodgers said of transferring. "The people were so kind and understanding. I also liked the philosophy and vision that Coach Holsinger has for the team and the program.

"I am not only looking forward to the athletic advantages of NNU, but also the academic standards as well. I hope to become an E.R. doctor one day and believe that NNU will help me succeed in that aspect of my life."
Coach Holsinger adds of the D-I transfer, Rodgers: "When I look at Maya I see someone that embodies the kind of person and player we want at NNU. On the court she is so versatile and can contribute in so many ways. She will be a major piece for us as we build a championship program.

"Maya will have a major impact in all areas of our program, on and off the court," NNU's coach added. "I also love the fact that she is from the area and we want to make Idaho a priority in recruiting."