* 2008-09 Summit League Winter/Spring All-Academic Team
* 2008-09 Summit League Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence
* 2007-08 Summit League Winter/Spring All-Academic Team
DeHoff's Take: “Jill’s skill set is sound as she enters her senior year. As coaches, we know exactly what we’re going to get from her. She does a great job of playing within herself. Jill will go out this season having been simply, consistent and steady.”
The 2008-09 Season: Started in 23 of 24 games played ... Missed last four games due to bruised kidney ... Averaged 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1 block in 26.6 minutes played per game ... Connected on 45.2 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the foul line ... In the Summit League statistics, ranked 4th in free throw shooting and 9th in blocked shots ... Exploded for career-high 24 points vs. IPFW (1-31-09), making 9 of 13 field goal attempts ... Added 10 rebounds ... Had a pair of double-doubles including 13 points and career-high 12 rebounds vs. UMKC (2-16-09) ... Scored in double-figures in four games, had three double-digit rebound efforts ... Led the Bison in rebounding seven times and in scoring on three occasions.
The 2007-08 Season: Played in 26 games ... Averaged 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game ... Connected on 37.4 percent from the field and 74.3 percent from the foul line ... Added 29 blocked shots, 16 steals and five assists ... Recorded her first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds in season opener at Northern Arizona (11-11-07) ... Hit 8 of 9 free throws and scored 12 points in home opener against Idaho (11-16-07) ... Recorded career-high six blocked shots in double OT win vs. Oral Roberts (3-1-08).
The 2006-07 Season: Played in nine games ... Averaged 2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game ... Connected on 33.3 percent from the field and 61.5 percent from free throw line ... Knocked in a season-best eight points against New Jersey Tech (2-10-07).
High School Days: A 2006 graduate of Monticello High School ... Averaged 15 points and 10.1 rebounds per game for the Magic, which finished 19-8 and one game short of the state tournament ... An all-conference pick and honorable mention all-state ... Hit 47 percent from the field and 83 percent from the foul line ... Finished her career with school records for points (1,365), free throw shooting (76%, 500-656), rebounds (1,006) and blocked shots (130) ... Rated as the third best center and 17th player overall in Class AAA in the 2005-06 Minnesota High School Girls Basketball Guide ... Leading scorer for Magic as a junior, averaging 14.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game for 17-12 Monticello ... A four-time all-conference pick and twice honorable mention all-state selection during her hoops career ... Also a three-time True Team state placewinner in the discus, placing fifth as a freshman and sophomore ... Third place finish in the discus at the state meet ... All-conference tennis player.
Personal File: Daughter of Jerome and Janet Zaruba ... Strangest nicknames are "Godjilla" and "Jilly Bean" ... Has three sisters, Jessica, Joan and Julie ... College major is exercise science ... Has minors in coaching and psychology ... Worked with NDSU's COAR (conferences, orientation and recruitment) Team over summer ... Future plans include completing summer internship and becoming a personal trainer ... Prep basketball coach was Jeff Bordwell.
Jill's Career Bests
Points: 24 vs. IPFW, 1-31-09
FG Made: 9 vs. IPFW, 1-31-09
FG Att: 13 vs. Oakland, 2-2-09; vs. IPFW, 1-31-09
FG Pct.: 100% (4-4) vs. Creighton, 12-29-08
FT Made: 8 vs. Idaho, 11-16-07
FT Att.: 9 vs. Idaho, 11-16-07
FT Pct.: 100% (6-6) vs. IUPUI, 1-12-09
Rebounds: 12 vs. UMKC, 2-16-09
Assists: 3 vs. Utah Valley, 2-23-09; UMKC, 2-16-09
Blocks: 6 vs. Oral Roberts, 3-1-08
Steals: 3 vs. IPFW, 1-31-09; at Denver, 12-15-08
Games W/Double-Double: 3 games
Games W/ 20+ Points: 1 game
Games W/Double Figure Points: 11 games
Game W/Double Figure Rebounds: 4 games
