OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha women's basketball will receive a big infusion of Division I Women's Basketball experience, as Michaela Dapprich, Moriah Dapprich, and Courtney Vaccher will all join UNO starting with the 2015-16 season. The trio will have to sit out the 2015-16 season due to NCAA transfer rules before returning to the court in 2016-17.
The three will join Ellie Brecht, Jay Bridgeman, Sara Echelberry, Caroline Hogue, Abi Lujan, Kalen Phillips, and Amber Vidal who have already signed their National Letters of Intent to play for UNO in 2015-16.
"We could not be more pleased to have Michaela, Moriah, and Courtney join the Omaha program at this pivotal time as we enter into the full era of Division I," commented head coach Brittany Lange. "All three have competed and won at the highest level of Division I, combining for 5 trips to the NCAA tournament, and will provide great perspective and a hard-nosed mentality to our team. Their experience, competitive attitudes, and physical play will allow our young team to grow immediately this coming year, while they gain a year of experience sitting out learning our system."
Michaela Dapprich (5-10) | G/F | Branson, Missouri | Wichita State | Branson HS
Michaela Dapprich transfers to Omaha after three outstanding seasons with Wichita State University. Dapprich will sit out the 2015-16 season and play her final year in 2016-17.
Dapprich played an integral role in the Shockers three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, while earning Honorable Mention All-MVC honors in 2014-15 and was named MVC player and MVC newcomer of the week, along with earning a spot on the Valley All-Tournament Team during her career. In her junior year, she started 34 games for Wichita State and was the team's third-leading scorer (12.5 points per game) and second-leading rebounder (5.9 rebounds per game). She recorded 23 double-figure scoring games, including a career-best 24 points in the Missouri Valley Tournament against Missouri State. Dapprich also had four double-digit rebounding games, including a career high 12 against Northern Iowa.
In her career, Dapprich played in 95 games and made 72 starts, averaging 9.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. She connected on 94 career 3-pointers which ranks her eighth all-time in Wichita State history, plus her career 34.7 3-point field goal percentage ranks ninth on the all- time list. Each season Dapprich played with the Shockers ended in a MVC Regular-Season and Tournament title as well as a trip to the NCAA tournament.
Coach Lange on Michaela Dapprich:
"Michaela is a special player that has had the unique experience of being a big part of a group that won three conference titles and NCAA berths. We look for her to step in as a senior and add great value on the floor with her ability to score, rebound, and play the 3, 4 and even 5. Her work-ethic and effort is unmatched and we are happy she wants to finish her career as a Maverick."
Moriah Dapprich (6-0) | G/F | Branson, Missouri | Wichita State | Branson, HS
Moriah Dapprich joins sister Michaela in transferring to Omaha after two seasons with Wichita State. Dapprich will sit out the 2015-16 season and will have two seasons of eligibility starting with the 2016-17 season.
Dapprich played in 46 games for the Shockers averaging 1.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game and was a part of a very talented Wichita State roster who earned two- straight NCAA Tournament appearances, Missouri Valley regular-season titles and MVC Tournament titles. During her prep career at Branson High School, she averaged 16.6 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game for her career. Dapprich became only the sixth player in Branson High School history to score over 1,000 points in her career. She also earned first team all-conference and all-district as a senior, along with being named to the Missouri Class 5 All-State Team by both MBCA and the Media/AP.
Coach Lange on Moriah Dapprich:
"Moriah represents winning, a strong work-ethic and physical play and I believe she has a great feel for the game. She will add grit, rebounding, and 3-point shooting as a taller perimeter player with the ability to step inside and play a couple positions. Moriah is a very good fit for our program and style of play and we are excited to coach her!"
Courtney Vaccher (6-2) | C | Yorba Linda, Calif. | Texas Tech | Yorba Linda HS
Courtney Vaccher transfers to Omaha after playing her freshman season at Texas Tech University. Vaccher will sit out the 2015-16 season and will have three seasons of eligibility starting with the 2016-17 season.
Last season, she appeared in four games for the Red Raiders. Coming out of Yorba Linda High School, Vaccher was ranked the No. 345 overall player by the All-Star Girls Report. During her senior campaign, she averaged 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while earning First Team All-League honors. As a junior, she earned First Team All-League honors, All-CIF Second Team, and was named the OC Junior of the Year.
Coach Lange on Courtney Vaccher:
"We love Courtney's energy and personality and believe she provides a unique aspect for us in the post. Courtney is a high IQ post that has great size, passing ability, strength, mobility, and strong defensive presence inside. She has been well coached and on great teams, and we are fortunate to have three years left with her on the floor."
