La Crosse, Wis. - Viterbo University Women's Basketball Head Coach Bobbi Vandenberg is proud to announce the recent signing of Hopkins (Minn.) High School's Shannon O'Toole, adding to an already strong recruiting class for the 2011-12 season.

The 6'0 post player fills a very important need for the V-Hawks and will look to contribute quickly as a great fit in the Viterbo system. She was a key player off the bench for the 27-2 Class AAAA State Champion Royals. She averaged about 3 points and 3 rebounds a game for a deep and balanced squad that rolled through the state tournament with an average winning margin of 19 points per game.

"We are extremely happy to welcome Shannon into our basketball program," commented Coach Vandenberg. "Shannon is a solid post player who has played at a very high level with both her high school team and in summer AAU basketball. She has played in a system at Hopkins High School that has a similar offensive style to our Viterbo motion. They also played fantastic team and individual man to man defense. She has been extremely well-coached in post offensive skills and defense with a total team concept. Shannon is an unselfish player who has great enthusiasm for the game and she is ready for college basketball. She is used to winning and I'm confident and excited that she will bring that winning attitude to our team."

"Shannon was a team captain, tireless worker, and tremendous teammate...she will go down as one of the best teammates to wear a Hopkins uniform," complimented Hopkins head coach Brian Cosgriff.

Off the court, Shannon is a very good student, is involved with Captains Council and is in the Bel Canto Choir. She is planning to major in Biology and will be in the Pre-Professional Program at Viterbo. She is the daughter of Jim and Becky O'Toole.

O'Toole said shortly after her signing, "I am very excited to play at Viterbo! I am so happy to have made my decision and I can't wait to start playing with the girls and helping the team as much as I can! This is going to be a great experience."