FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State women's basketball head coach Jory Collins has announced the signing of three players. NDSU will add a pair of high school players, while also getting a junior college transfer.

Abigail Schulte, a 5-10 guard from Maple Grove, Minn., Kylie Strop, a 5-7 guard from River Falls, Wis. and Reneya Hopkins, a 5-7 junior college transfer from Redlands Community College have all signed during the first signing day for Collins.

"As a class, we are very pleased to add these three players," Collins said. "We set out to get more ball handling, decision making, defense and players we thought were raised to be ultimate competitors. All three are point guards at heart, but also have the ability to play off the ball. Besides the physical attributes they possess, each of these young ladies come from terrific families. Their personal qualities are every bit as impressive as their basketball skills. I know they're excited to come help us build this program."  

From Midwest City, Okla., Hopkins earned all-conference honors as a freshman at Redlands Community College. During her rookie campaign, Hopkins averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. She started 27 of the 28 games she appeared in, while also pulling down 5.2 rebounds per game for a team that went 21-10. Redlands has started the 2019-20 season 4-0, with Hopkins averaging 20.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game, while shooting 44 percent from the field. Hopkins was an all-state and all-city selection in 2018, while also being part of a team that won the 2016 state championship. Hopkins plans to major in Kinesiology.

"Reneya will be the best athlete on our team as soon as she steps on campus," Collins said. "She will add a dimension we don't have as far as putting pressure on other teams on both ends of the floor. She also plays the game with a confidence and swagger we need an infusion of. As a point guard, she is a very good scorer at all three levels, but is also terrific at creating for other people. We are probably most excited about Reneya's ability to pressure the ball and create some havoc defensively."

Schulte earned all-state honorable mention honors as a junior, while picking up all-conference honors as a sophomore and junior. Schulte was part of a Maple Grove High School team that qualified for the state tournament the last two years. A four-year starter, Schulte averaged 12.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a junior. This fall, Schulte was part of a Maple Grove soccer team that won the Minnesota state title. Schulte is also a member of the National Honor Society and plans to major in child development.

"Abigail is a big guard who can play both on and off the ball," Collins added. "She will have great versatility for us being able to play all our guard positions. She's a player who doesn't have a major weakness and is solid in all areas. As she matures and concentrates on basketball full-time, she is going to have a major impact at NDSU. The things that stand out most with Abby are her feel for the game, how she sees the floor and anticipates both offensively and defensively. She has great leadership qualities and intangibles to go with a well-rounded skill set. Most importantly, Abigail is a terrific competitor."

A four-year starter for River Falls High School, Strop averaged 19.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.0 steals per game as a junior. A three-time all-conference selection, Strop has surpassed 1,200 career points and 500 rebounds. The all-time leader in points and steals at River Falls High School, Strop has earned team MVP honors, as well as being named the best defender and best offensive player during her career. Strop plans to major in nursing at NDSU.

"The first thing our fans will notice about Kylie is her toughness and competitiveness," Collins said. "She's one of those players who isn't afraid to stick her nose in places and mix it up a little bit. She doesn't back down from anybody and plays the game with an attitude and mentality we need. Kylie has very good speed and quickness and is able to pressure the ball at a level we're not able to this year. Her ability to push the ball in transition and play with pace is something we are excited about."

The Bison return to action on Friday, as they host Valparaiso. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Scheels Center.