CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team announced the signing of Julia Peplinski (F, 5-10, Hustisford, Wis./Hustisford H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. Peplinski is the fourth signee for the Golden Eagles for the 2018-19 class, joining Mary Burke (F, 5-11, Virginia, Minn./Mountain Iron-Buhl H.S.), Paige Cornale (G, 5-10, Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek H.S.) and Bren Fox (C, 6-3, Norwood Young America, Minn./Norwood Young America H.S.

"Julia is a very powerful inside out player," said Head Coach Mike Roysland. "She is a player who works relentlessly on the glass. In addition, she has a burst of speed that makes her a hard player to guard. Julia is a physically demanding presence in the post. We are excited to have her join the Golden Eagle basketball family."

The Golden Eagles are slated to lose only two players from this season's roster, but two crucial cogs in the program with Micaela Noga (Sr., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) and Emily Gruber (Sr., F, Monticello, Minn.). Minnesota Crookston is slated to return 10 players to the fray for the 2018-19 season.

Peplinski joins a squad that has been to three-consecutive NSIC/Sanford Health quarterfinals. The Golden Eagles have accumulated a program high of 40 wins in the last three years, including a school-record 18 wins during the 2015-16 season. Head Coach Mike Roysland is in his 12^th season leading the squad. Roysland was the NSIC Coach of the Year following the 2014-15 season. 

Peplinski gives the Golden Eagles another post presence for next season, joining Burke, Fox, Isieoma Odor (R-Jr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) and Amber Schoenicke (So., F/C, Marshall, Wis.). Peplinski will give Minnesota Crookston an instant presence on the glass, along with toughness and speed in the post. She will immediately give Minnesota Crookston size to help compete with some of the bigger, more physical programs in the NSIC. The signing class thus far of Peplinski, Cornale, Burke, and Fox give the Golden Eagles immediate depth, competition and versatility.
 
Julia Peplinski (F, 5-10, Hustisford, Wis./Hustisford H.S.)
Peplinski averaged 23.5 points and 13.0 rebounds per game as a junior at Hustisford High School. She was an All-Trailways-East Conference First Team pick last season. In addition, she was named the Female Athlete of the Year at Hustisford High School. Peplinski as selected 95.3 WXRO Radio All-Area. She earned All-Star accolades at a club tournament. In addition, she also recently reached 1,000 points. Peplinski also tallied 3.0 assists and 4.1 steals per game as a junior. She notched 30 points on 9-of-14 from the field against Oakfield High School. Peplinski tallied 35 points on 12-of-21 from the field versus Dodgeland High School. In addition, she notched 29 points on 11-of-14 from the field against Rio High School. 

Peplinski is the daughter of Reed and Carrie Peplinski. She was born June 22, 2000. Peplinski plans to major in exercise science and wellness. She was named to the National Honor Society and High Honor Roll. Peplinski enjoys working on the farm milking cows.

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to release of information.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.
 
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