FARGO — North Dakota State University women’s golf head coach Matt Johnson announced the addition of three players. Two players have signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their education and play golf for the Bison starting in the fall of 2021, while the Bison will be adding a transfer to the roster for the spring 2021 season.

The Bison signed a pair of players out of Wisconsin in Green Bay’s Jo Baranczyk and Grafton’s Elise Hoven. NDSU will also add a transfer from Minnesota State in Ava Wallerich.

“I feel very good about our 2021 recruiting class,” Johnson said. “Recruiting has been challenging for athletes and coaches lately with no in person contact and we were fortunate to have both Elise and Jo on board with us early. Both have had a lot of success and know how to win, but they’ve also handled their losses with dignity and maturity. They both have tons of experience and should have the ability to help us right away.”

Jo Baranczyk

(Green Bay, Wis. – Bay Port HS)

High School: Four-year letterwinner and three-year captain for Bay Port High School. Won the Wisconsin Division I state title as a sophomore and junior, while finishing fifth as a freshman. Team elected not to participate in the 2020 state meet due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Earned first team all-conference honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior. First team all-state as a freshman and sophomore, while earning second team honors as a junior. Named the conference player of the year after winning the conference, sectional and regional titles. Two-time Wisconsin Junior PGA Champion. Three-time USA Today Prep Sports Award winner. Became the first three-time winner of the Lake Arrowhead Invitational. Shot a low round of 68. Qualified for the 2019 US Girls Junior Championship and has twice qualified for the National Junior PGA Championship.

Personal: Daughter of Mary Beth and Ricci. Has two brothers, Max and Jed. Brother, Jed, is a member of the NDSU men’s golf team. Intends to major in nursing.

“Jo won the Wisconsin state tournament in 2018 and 2019 and wasn’t able to participate in the fall 2020 season due to COVID-19,” said Johnson. “She has qualified for and played in numerous national tournaments and is a very experienced player.”

Elise Hoven (Grafton, Wis. – Cedarburg HS)

High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner and captain as a senior. Finished runner-up after a playoff at the 2020 Wisconsin Division I State Championships with a 119 (41-78). Finished third at the 2019 Wisconsin Division I State Championships after finishing 28th as a sophomore. Earned all-state honors four times, including a first team selection as a junior and senior. She was a four-time first team all-conference selection and three-time conference player of the year. Named the 2017 North Shore Conference Freshman of the Year. Had a 73.5 scoring average as a senior. Twice shot a 67. Finished in the top three in 64 percent of her high school tournaments. Set a school record for nine-holes (35) and 18-hole scoring average (67). Led team to first conference title in 2018, while also taking home the title in 2019 and 2020. Three-time team state qualifier. Shot a career-best 67 during her senior season. Tied for seventh at the 2020 Wisconsin Women’s State Amateur, while finishing fifth at the 2020 WPGA Junior Championship. 2019 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Award finalist. Three-time academic all-state selection. Member of honor roll from 2017-2020. Member of National Honor Society. Part of Cedarburg High School Athletic Leadership Council. Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Personal: Daughter of Jill and Tim. Has a brother, Zach. Dad played tennis at Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Intends to major in psychology.

“Elise has shown consistent and steady improvement for several years as she’s become one of the top players in Wisconsin,” said Johnson. “I expect her to continue to improve and her potential as a player is exciting.”

Ava Wallerich (Lake City, Minn. – Lincoln HS/

Minnesota State)

High School: Four-year letterwinner and three-year captain for Lincoln High School. Was a four-time all-state selection and all-conference pick, while qualifying for the state tournament four times. Was a two-time state runner-up. Averaged a 77.1 as a junior. Had a 76.7 average as a sophomore. Shot a career-low 66 during her junior season. Tied for 16th at the 2020 Minnesota State Women’s Open with a 153. Academic all-state selection in tennis, basketball and golf as a senior. Member of National Honor Society. Set a school record by qualifying for the state tennis meet four times in high school. Was a five-time all-conference selection in tennis. Set a school record for most assists in a game, season and career. Hit a school record eight 3-pointers in a game. Was a two-time all-conference selection.

Personal: Daughter of Trissa and Bruce. Has a sister, Lidia. Intends to major in accounting.

“Ava was an outstanding multi-sport athlete in high school who’s chosen to focus full time on golf,” said Johnson. “She is a very intelligent and competitive person who is always looking for the opportunity to get better. She will fit in well with our team and will help us get better.”