CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team announced the addition of Abigail Leach (G/F, 6-0, Wyoming, Minn./North Iowa Area Community College to a National Letter of Intent. Leach is the first signee for the Golden Eagles for the 2021 class.

"I am very excited to add Abby to our signing class," said Head Coach Mike Roysland. "Abby is someone who gives us a lot of versatility. She can step out and shoot the three and is also an excellent defender. She is someone who can step in and take a charge and keeps offensive players from getting to the basket. Abby has a tremendous basketball IQ and knack for the game. We can't wait to have her as a member of the Golden Eagle women's basketball program next season."

Leach gives UMN Crookston size and versatility and a strong defender. She helps the Golden Eagles replace a graduating class of Abby Guidinger (Sr., F, Waukesha, Wis.), Ashley Freund (Sr., G/F, Jordan, Minn.), and Jennifer Lax (Sr., G, Sleepy Eye, Minn.). Leach will have two years to compete for the Golden Eagles.

Minnesota Crookston is currently 3-9 (3-7 NSIC). The Golden Eagles are currently in seventh in the NSIC North heading into the final two weekends. UMN Crookston has a young squad this season as all of the players averaging 10.0 minutes or more per game are juniors or less. The Golden Eagles look to have a bright future ahead of them. UMN Crookston is led by Jes Mertens (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) with 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Mertens has also been among the nation's leaders in steals with 44 as a freshman. Mary Burke (R-So., F, Virginia, Minn.) comes in averaging 10.0 points per game, while Bren Fox (Jr., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) is notching 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Kylie Post (Jr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) is tallying 9.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

The student-athlete listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play women's basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.

Abigail Leach (G/F, 6-0, Wyoming, Minn./North Iowa Area Community College)
Leach was a Third Team All-NJCAA Region XI selection as a freshman. She had a season-high 18 points versus Illinois Central College. Leach notched a season-high six rebounds versus Little Priest Tribal College. On the season, she notched 6.8 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Leach shot 35.2 percent from beyond the arc and 78.9 percent from the foul stripe. As a sophomore, she had a season-high four points against Iowa Central Community College and notched three assists versus Des Moines Area Community College. In college, she was named a First Team All-Academic All-Region selection. In high school, Leach competed for Forest Lake Area H.S. She letter four years in basketball. In addition, she earned two letters in track, three in trap shooting, and four academic letters. Leach was recognized four-times for Spotlight on Scholarship. She was an All-Suburban East Conference pick for Forest Lake Area H.S.

Leach is the daughter of Daniel and Debra Leach. She was born Oct. 12, 2000. Leach is undecided on her major. She is the first person in her family to compete in collegiate athletics. She loves hunting and fishing.