University of Mary Athletics

After an outstanding high school basketball career at Beulah, ND, Rhonda the daughter of Nathan and Vi Leinius, enrolled at Lake Region Junior College in Devils Lake, ND. Rhonda led Lake Region to two National Junior College Tournaments. In 1993, Rhonda enrolled at the University of Mary, and made her presence known not only as a fine women’s basketball player, but also as a leader. Rhonda went on to become an outstanding student-athlete for the University of Mary. In two seasons she scored 944 points for the Marauders and had 386 rebounds, 140 assists, 102 three-pointers, and a career record of 39-14. She also had 13 free throws in a single game and 55 three-pointers in one season. 

Rhonda was a two-time NDCAC All-Conference player, two-year team captain, and was twice the Lady Marauders Most Valuable Player. She led the Lady Marauders to two NDCAC Championship titles, qualifying the Lady Marauders for the NAIA National Basketball Tournament twice. In the 1993-94 season, Rhonda was the University of Mary’s first ever NAIA First Team All-American in basketball. She was again named to the NAIA First Team in 1994-95, an unprecedented honor which has not been matched.