Maria Rickards  -   14
    Maria Rickards

    Class:
    Senior
    Hometown:
    New Albany, Ind.
    High School:
    New Albany
    Height:
    5-9
    Position:
    Forward
    Birthdate:
    08/29/1982

    A versatile athlete, Maria Rickards is one of only two starters returning from last year's squad. The team's most veteran player, she will be looked to for valuable contributions at both ends of the floor. As demonstrated by her 33-point outburst at Niagara, she can be a serious offensive threat from her shooting guard spot -- and must be this season for the Vikings to be successful.

    2003-04 -- Junior Season
    • Finished third on the team with 30 steals
    • Averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds
    • Started all 28 games at shooting guard
    • Scored in double-digits five times
    • Tallied 11 points, four rebounds and three three-pointers at Youngstown State (2/5)
    • Had nine points, seven rebounds and three steals against Illinois-Chicago (1/24)
    • Posted 12 points and five rebounds in win over Wright State (1/8)
    • Recorded 14 points, six rebounds and four steals at Bowling Green (1/3)
    • Canned 14 of her 20 field goal attempts on her way to a career-high 33 points at Niagara (12/2)
    • Pulled down three or more rebounds 20 times

    2002-03 -- Sophomore Season
    • Averaged 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds
    • Tied for second on the team with 27 three-pointers • Scored eight points in career-best 29 minutes at IPFW on Jan. 22
    • Recorded nine points and career-high three assists in win over Loyola (1/18)
    • Tallied trio of three pointers on her way to career-best 12 points against Youngstown State on Jan. 8
    • Earned starting nod in seven of 29 games played, including six consecutive starts from Jan. 8-25

    2001-02 -- Freshman Season
    • Averaged 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.8 minutes of action
    • Recorded career-high four steals in win over UW-Green Bay on Feb. 16
    • Matched season-best with 11 points in back-to-back games against Wright State (Jan. 7) and Illinois-Chicago (Jan. 10)
    • Grabbed career-high eight rebounds against Wright State on Jan. 7
    • Hit game-winning lay-up with one second left at IUPUI on Dec. 8
    • Tallied season-best 11 points at No. 20 Wisconsin on Nov. 27
    • Played in all 28 contests, starting three times

    New Albany H.S.
    • Helped lead team to state championship and Tournament of Champions title in 1999
    • Led team to a 14-6 record her senior season, averaging 20.0 points per game and 8.0 rpg
    • Hoosier Basketball first team
    • All-conference selection in 2001 & `02
    • Team captain and MVP in 2001
    • Indiana Junior All-Star
    • Squad won sectional and regional titles in 1999 & `00 • Four-year letterwinner
    • Earned four letters in track and two in soccer
    • Member of team that set school record in the 1,600-meter relay
    • State finalist in high jump, 400-meter relay and 1,600-meter relay
    • Played AAU basketball with Pointmakers (1998) and Mohr Magic (1999 & 2000)
    • AAU team was state champs in 1999 and finished fifth at nationals the following year

    Personal
    Got engaged at center court following the win over Butler on Feb. 7, 2004...majoring in social work...daughter of Wallace and Mary Rickards...has an older brother, Johnathon...Athletic-Academic Excellence Award winner in 2002, `03 & `04...member of Phi Beta National Honor Society of Social Work...Phi Alpha Honor Society...born Aug. 29, 1982 in Louisville, Ky.