Orono, Maine – The University of Maine women's basketball program has announced that it has signed five student-athletes to its 2021 recruiting class.

Paula Gallego (6-1 guard), Sera Hodgson (5-11 guard), Pénélope Mathieu-Castillo (5-11 forward), Adrianna Smith (5-10 forward), and Bailey Wilborn (5-8 guard) will all join the Black Bears in the fall of 2021 as members of the class of 2025.

"We are thrilled to announce the signings and addition of five student athletes to our Black Bear family," head coach Amy Vachon said. "Each individual brings unique skill sets to the court and yet fits in with our culture and standards in all areas. We are pleased to welcome Sera, Bailey, Paula, Adrianna, and Pénélope."

Paula Gallego | Highlights
6-1 // Guard // Barcelona, Spain // Col·legi Pineda (CEJ L'Hospitalet/CBS Barça)

• Captain at CEJ L'Hospitalet from 2016-20
• Selected to Barcelona's regional team in 2017-18
• Top scoring and free throw shooter (pct.) in first division in 2018-19
• Ranked in the top five among scorers in the second division in 2019-20
• In 2019-20, began playing with club's senior team (Copa Catalunya), first Catalan division
• Since 2016, played in advanced leagues with teams two years older (both first and second division)
• Gavà Tournament - 1st place
• Team earned first classification, winning 20 of 20 games, in second division in 2019-20

Coach Vachon on Paula: "Paula is a strong, versatile player. She can play in the post and also bring the ball up the floor. Keeping that Spanish pipeline going, Paula brings a mature element to our game."

Sera Hodgson | Highlights
5-11 // Guard // Rindge, N.H. // New Hampton (New England Crusaders)

• Two-year captain at New Hampton High School
• Awarded the 2019 and 2020 Coach's Award
• Guided 2020 team to the Double A semifinals

Coach Vachon on Sera: "Sera is a versatile guard who can do a variety of things. She is very vocal and can play a number of positions. Her versatility fits in perfectly with what we do here. Coming from a basketball family, Sera knows what DI life is like and is ready to excel."

Pénélope Mathieu-Castillo | Highlights
5-11 // Forward // Montreal, Que. // Gérard Filion (Vanier College)

• Two-year captain
• Named Team MVP in 2018-2019
• Averaged 11.2 points and 7.2 rebounds while at Vanier College
• Led Vanier in double-doubles in 2018-2019
• Guided Vanier to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons

Coach Vachon on Pénélope: "Pénélope is a determined, hard working post player. She plays bigger than her size and can step out to the perimeter and knock down the three as well."

Adrianna Smith | Highlights
5-10 // Forward // Reston, VA // Bishop O'Connell (Fairfax Stars)

• First Team All-State (2020), Honorable Mention All-State (2019)
• Second Team WCAC (2020), Honorable Mention WCAC (2019)
• She Got Game MVP (2020)
• Captain in 2020 at Bishop O'Connell
• Averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals per game in 2019-20 at Bishop O'Connell
• Guided team to first place in rebel round ball classic (2019)
• Led team to second place in "The League" at Boo Williams 2020
• Team placed third in WCAC in 2020

Coach Vachon on Adrianna: "Adrianna is another strong, versatile player. She has benefited from playing  for great coaches in high school and AAU and as a result is fundamentally very strong. She can shoot the three and can play underneath with great physicality."

Bailey Wilborn | Highlights
5-8 // Guard // Wichita, KS // Andover Central (Kansas City Eclipse)

• 2020 All-State Class 5A
• 2020 First Team All County, All League, and 2020 Newton Invitational MVP
• 2019 All-State Honorable Mention, First Team All-League
• Averaged 14.7 points, 2.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals per game
• Led team to Newton Invitational Championship, Kansas State Final Four, and captured ACVTL League Championship in 2020
• Captain her senior season

Coach Vachon on Bailey: "Bailey is an amazing shooter. Watching her play for our fans will be pure joy. She's a scorer and has a beautiful shot. Being able to play a variety of positions will be beneficial as she becomes a Black Bear."

-UMaine-