WHITEFISH, Mont. –University of Providence senior Parker Esary was unanimously named the Frontier Conference Preseason Player of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday morning.

Senior guard Emilee Maldonado was also recognized by the conference as a member of the preseason All-Conference team.

"It's exciting news," head coach Bill Himmelberg said. "I'm happy for Parker and Emily both. They've put in a lot of time and are well-deserving of this recognition."

Esary is coming off a dominant junior season, averaging 15.2 points and 8.4 rebounds a game while shooting 63% from the floor. She was named the Frontier Conference Player of the Week on Feb. 10 en route to being named 1^st Team All-Conference last season. She was named a 2^nd Team All-American by the NAIA at the conclusion of the season. She also eclipsed the 1,000 point mark of her career during the season, and is currently 6^th all time in Argo history in points scored.

Maldonado is also coming off a strong season. As a junior, she averaged 14.0 points and 4.9 assists while shooting 40 % from the field, 41% from beyond the arc and 81% from the line. She also was named the Frontier Conference Player of the Week and like Esary, was named 1^st Team All-Conference. She was named a 3^rd Team All-American by the NAIA last season. Just like Esary, she eclipsed the 1,000 point mark last season and is currently 8^th all time in scoring for the program.

"Those two are kids you build the program around," Himmelberg said. "They're good leaders on and off the floor. They do all the little things right. They're great teammates. The important thing is our team trusts them and our team loves each other. They're all going to be as happy for Parker and Emily as Parker and Emily are. And Parker and Emily know they couldn't have done it without the rest of their team."

Christine Denny (Carroll), Kloie Thatcher (Rocky Mountain), Dani Wagner (Carroll) and Mesa Williams (Montana Tech) round out the preseason All-Conference team.

The news comes a day after Himmelberg's team was picked second in the conference preseason poll.

 "Our girls have a lot of expectations for themselves," Himmelberg said. "Parker and Emily have had high expectations their whole career. We just prepare like we have the past four years with them."