“It’s a huge honor to receive this award. There are so many talented student-athletes at the University of Alberta, so I feel really lucky to be chosen,” said Signatovich.

Signatovich started playing basketball when she was just eight years old at a club in Winnipeg. She joined the University of Alberta Pandas in 2019 and has now been with the team for six years. This is her fifth year of eligibility since she missed a season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having been with the team for so long, Signatovich really values the bonds she’s built with her teammates. In fact, she says that’s the most important part of being a Panda.

“Winning is great, and we’ve had a lot of success while I’ve been here. But for me, the relationships I’ve built with both my current and former teammates are what matter the most,” she explained.

Last year, the Pandas hosted the U Sports Women’s Basketball Championship and finished third. Throughout her career, Signatovich has earned several awards from U Sports. She was named Defensive Player of the Year two years in a row, has been a Canada-West All-Star three times, and has received the Academic All-Canadian (AAC) honor four times.

One of her proudest moments was when the Pandas won their first-ever Canada West title in 2023. She recalled how special it was, especially with so many alumni coming to support the team.

“It was amazing to be part of that team. We had so many alumni come to watch us in Calgary. It felt like we had just as many fans as Calgary did during that game,” she said.

The AAC award is given to student-athletes who maintain an academic average of 80% or higher while competing full-time in varsity sports. The University of Alberta selects its honorees based on this criterion.

Signatovich mentioned that playing basketball actually helped her stay focused on her studies since she had limited time for schoolwork.

“You have to sit down and get it done. Basketball really taught me how to manage my time. I did a lot of studying in airports, on planes, buses, and even in team rooms. You just have to find any free moment to get things done,” she shared.

This is her final year playing for the Pandas. After this season, Signatovich hopes to play professional basketball for a year or two before returning to school and starting her career.