BURLINGTON, Vt. – University of Vermont women’s basketball head coach Keith Cieplicki has announced that Ashleigh Cuncic has joined the team and will be eligible to play in the second semester of the 2003-2004 season.

Cuncic, a native of Carlisle, Ontario, transferred to Vermont from Xavier. The 5-10 guard was a member of the Musketeers during the 2001-2002 season. She was an Atlantic-10 Preseason All-Rookie team selection and finished the season averaging 2.2 points in 14.4 minutes per game in 26 games. Xavier posted a record of 12-19 overall and went 5-11 in the Atlantic-10 last season.

Prior to her collegiate career, Cuncic was a four year player at St. Mary’s High School. She was named the St. Mary’s Athlete of the Year in 2001 and averaged 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals. The Crusaders won the Ontario Provincial Championship in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and posted a record of 187-6 during her five-year career. Cuncic was named the St. Mary’s Basketball MVP in 1998 and 2000 and was a member of the Hamilton Transway Club Team that won the Provincial Championship in 1998, 1999 and 2001. Cuncic also played soccer and volleyball at St. Mary’s.

“We are very excited to have Ashleigh join our program. She’s an excellent perimeter player with good offensive skills. She will bring more athleticism to our team. Plus, we’ve had a tremendous amount of success with our Canadian players,” said Cieplicki.

Cuncic will have two and a half years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the second semester of the 2002-2003 season and the first semester of next season (2003-2004).

PRONOUNCIATION: Cuncic is pronounced CUE-nick