University of Mary Athletics

Arguably the most talented team in the storied history of University of Mary women’s basketball history, the 2003-04 Marauders had a season to remember. The lineup featured five players who scored over 1,100 points in their careers, three who became All-Americans and a trio of future Hall of Famers. With an ability to dominate in all facets of the game, the Marauders set a school record for wins and came within a game of playing for the NAIA national championship.
 
With legendary Hall of Fame coach Roger Haug newly retired, first year head coach Fred Fridley and assistant Rick Neumann proved more than capable of continuing the program’s history of success.  Behind the triple threat abilities of Jessica Zundel on the front line, the long range scoring ability of Sarah Leer and the creativity and defensive talents of Andrea Ronderos, all three future Marauders Hall of Famers, the Marauders overwhelmed opponents on both ends of he court. Natalie Brunner and Nicole Meier, who joined Zundel, Leer and Ronderos in the 1,100 point club, gave the Marauders scoring punch throughout the lineup.
 
The only UMary women’s basketball team ever to be ranked #1 in the country, the Marauders easily captured the Dakota Athletic conference (DAC-10) regular season title by five games with a record of 17-1 before posting double digit wins in all three DAC-10 postseason games to take the league tournament title. After opening the NAIA national tournament with an 80-69 win over Northland (WI) and a 95-76 victory over Southwestern (KS), the Marauders defeated Dakota Wesleyan 91-82 in double overtime. UMary’s season came to a close in the semifinals with a 70-62 loss to Morningside. UMary finished the season with a best-ever record of 32-3. Only the Marauders 2000 national title team had a better post-season finish.
 
The 2003-04 Marauders remain the single-season program recordholders in several categories, including most wins (32), conference wins (17), field goals made (1,024), free throws made (597), rebounds (1,366), assists (578) and points scored per game (81.1).
 
ROSTER | Natalie Brunner, Megan Callahan, Lisa Guss, Pam Killoran, Jolene Kjorstad (captain)*, Sarah Leer (captain, DAC-10 Most Valuable Senior & MVP) #*&@, Kayla Lorenz, Kara McGuinness, Nicole Meier, Molly Merrigan*, Andrea Ronderos (DAC-10 Defensive Player of the Year)#, Jamie Stensgard, Kari Wilcox, Jessica Zundel | Fred Fridley (head coach), Rick Neumann (asst. coach), Molly Anderson (graduate asst. coach), Teresa Seefeld (athletic trainer), Jenn Herdebu (student athletic trainer).
# All-DAC10 Team selection | * DAC-10 Scholar-Athlete | $ NAIA All-American | @ NAIA All-Tournament Team selection