CHICAGO (November 8, 2017) – Preparing to begin her second year at the head of the Rambler bench, Loyola University Chicago head women's basketball coach Kate Achter announced the signing of a trio of student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday morning.  Allison Day (Winchester, Ohio/Eastern), Maya Dunson (Dayton, Ohio/Wayne) and Janae Gonzales (Tolleson, Ariz./Sierra Linda) will join the Maroon & Gold at the start of the 2018-19 season.
 
"We're very proud to add three smart and capable young women to our roster," Achter commented.  "They believe in our culture wholeheartedly, and will make wonderful additions to our locker room atmosphere.  Most of all, they are competitors with a chip on their shoulder that know how to win games.  Rambler fans will really enjoy how much this class competes."
 
ALLISON DAY
6-1 • Forward
Winchester, Ohio • Eastern
 
Allison Day makes her way to Rogers Park from Winchester, Ohio and Eastern High School.  Day is coming off of a junior campaign that saw her earn Southern Hills Athletic Conference (SHAC) Player of the Year honors to go along with Second Team All-State accolades from the Associated Press.  The 6-foot-1 forward, who helped lead head coach Kevin Pickerill's Warriors to a Regional Title and a berth in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Final Four in 2016-17, has averaged a double-double (12.7 points, 10.4 rebounds) during her high school career.  Day also appeared on the club level for the Cincinnati Angels and coach Dante Harlan.
 
Achter on Allison: "Allison's game is as blue collar as it comes.  She is tough and skilled around the rim, and she is capable of stretching the defense out to the perimeter.  Allison brings a lot of length to our frontcourt, and isn't afraid of being physical inside.  She is a great teammate and leader for her high school team and coach, Kevin Pickerill."
 
MAYA DUNSON
5-11 • Guard/Forward
Dayton, Ohio • Wayne
 
Maya Dunson, a versatile 5-foot-11 wing player out of Wayne High School in Dayton, Ohio, averaged 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds, while shooting just over 40 percent from beyond the three-point arc last season.  She played a key role in the Warriors capturing a second-straight Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) title as she went on to be named a First Team All-GWOC selection.  Dunson also experienced success on the club level for coach Kelly Peek's All Ohio Express program, with whom she most recently was named an All-Star at the 2017 U.S. Junior Nationals.
 
Achter on Maya: "Maya is a true scoring guard.  Whether it's inside or outside, she is thinking of ways to put the ball in the basket.  We love her size and versatility, and feel as though she could play multiple positions for us.  After she verbally committed to us, she took her game to a whole new level.  She is a kid who is not satisfied."
 
JANAE GONZALES
5-8 • Guard
Tolleson, Ariz. • Sierra Linda
 
Janae Gonzales arrives in the Windy City following an impressive career at Sierra Linda High School in Tolleson, Ariz.  Under the tutelage of head coach Desirae Carranza, the 5-foot-8 guard has averaged 17.6 points per game during a successful stint with the Bulldogs that was highlighted by a berth in the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) 5A State Championship game in 2016-17.  Gonzales, a three-time First Team All-Division honoree, burst onto the scene as a freshman when she set an Arizona girls basketball state record by knocking down 14 three-point shots as part of a 51-point effort in a win over Tempe.   
 
Achter on Janae: "Janae is a skilled combo guard that is excellent off ball screens.  Her basketball IQ is extremely high, and that comes from being a true student of the game.  She is a wonderful teammate that finds much joy in facilitating for others as she does in finding baskets for herself."
 
Loyola officially opens its 2017-18 schedule on Sunday afternoon when it hits the road to take on Fort Wayne.  Tip-off from inside the Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne, Ind. is set for 1 p.m. (CT).