GREAT FALLS, MONT. -- The University of Providence welcomes nine new recruits to the 2023-2024 women's basketball team. In Himmelberg's 14th season leading the Argos he believes the incoming class could be special, "I'm really excited about this group of student athletes, I think it will one of our best recruiting classes we have had." 

Himmelberg was not afraid to dive into the transfer portal securing the division one standout Ashlee Maldonado from Santa Clara University. Maldonado, a 5-foot-7 guard from Sunnyside, Washington started 19 games for the Broncos in the 2022-2023 season.  

Coach Himmelberg has always been aware of Maldonado stating, "We recruited Ashlee from her junior year in high school and have followed her stellar career at Santa Clara. Once we saw her enter the transfer portal, we reached out with high hopes she would consider Providence. Ashlee has the ability to make an impact not only on our program, but the NAIA." 
   
Ashlee is the sister of 2022 graduate and four time All-American, Emilee Maldonado, who is returning to the Providence staff as an assistant coach this season.  

The Argos are also welcoming a pair of student athletes from Spokane. Eliannah Ramirez hails from University High School where she is a member of the Titan's Hall of Fame. She was also named first and second team all-conference in her career.  

Taliah Lee is joining Providence from Gonzaga Preparatory School where she was an honorable mention all-conference selection twice and averaged 10.5 points per game for her career.  

Providence is also welcoming two more student athletes from the state of Washington. Keanna Salave'a from Vancouver and Monique Carter from Puyallup. Salave'a is a 6-foot-2 forward who was named to the first or second team all-conference all four years of her high school career. Her junior and senior year she was first team all-region and took home the 3a GSHL player of the year award her final season.  

Monique Carter was the team captain for the Emerald City Jaguars her junior and senior seasons as well as the league's most valuable player. Carter averaged 12 points per game, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals in her career. She was named the defensive player of the year her senior season and is currently the Emerald City record holder for total steals and assists in a season. In 2023 Carter was also named the Tacoma Athletic Commission athlete of the year, the Emerald Ridge female athlete of the year, and a silver athletic award winner.  

The Argos are also bringing in four student athletes from the state of Montana. Great Falls native Kacey Christensen played at Charles M. Russell High School and was named an HIT all-star her senior year. Kacey was also an academic all-state athlete and a Rustler Award winner.  

Carrie Taylor played at Opheim High School where she was all-state her senior year. As a team she helped lead the Vikings to a top three finish in their district and division each year. Taylor was also named the valedictorian and was academic all-state every year of her high school career.  

Laura Zietzke played at Simms High School where she was the team captain for three seasons. Zietzke was all-conference for three years and an all-state selection her junior season. As a team she helped lead the Tigers to conference championships twice and a district championship her senior year. Zietzke also won the 2023 tennis doubles state championship. In the classroom she was named academic all-state every season and the valedictorian her senior year.  

Rounding out the 2023 Argo recruiting class is Hayleigh Smith from Charlo High School. Smith was named to the all-conference team twice and all-state once throughout her career. Smith helped lead the Vikings to two district championships and state runner-up three times. In the classroom, she was the 2023 Salutatorian, National Honors Society President, and was named to the academic all-state team. 

The University of Providence is proud to welcome these nine recruits to the Argo family. To get your first look, the Argonauts begin their season Saturday, Oct. 28 when they host the NAIA powerhouse Indiana Wesleyan University. Tipoff is scheduled at 2 p.m. for the battle between the Argos and the Wildcats.