May 24, 2007

Fresno, Calif. - Entering into the off-season, the Bulldogs had two specific goals in mind and looked to address them with the next incoming class of recruits. Head Coach Adrian Wiggins and the staff believe they have done so in adding Latoya Brown, Emma Andrews and Hayley Munro to the roster for the 2007-08 school year.

"I think that as a whole, this class really gives us extra depth and skill," said head coach Adrian Wiggins. "It also allows us to utilize our returning players in their true positions, which will only help us."

First on the list was filling a need at point guard, where the Bulldogs have been lacking depth since the departure of 2005-06 WAC Player of the Year Mirenda Swearengin. Looking for immediate help, the Bulldogs signed junior Latoya Brown from Chipola College in Florida. One of the top JC programs in the nation, Chipola produced four WAC signees this year including Brown, and may sound familiar to Bulldog fans as the former home of men's standout Shawn Taylor. Brown will add considerable experience to the point guard position, having started a school-record 74 straight games at Chipola while leading the team to two state championships. "Latoya is very consistent with her play, and she comes in with a point guard mentality," noted Wiggins. "She is extremely quick and aggressive defensively, which will be a real asset.

Also joining the backcourt will be Emma Andrews, a point guard who last saw the Save Mart Center as a member of the Melbourne Roos traveling squad that faced the Bulldogs in a preseason exhibition last fall. Andrews, a starter on that team, dished out four assists and made two steals in that game, and will also be joining the `Dogs as a point guard. She also made an impact with her U20 team in Australia, leading the squad to the national championships last year.

Fresno State also received a commitment from one more player from the Melbourne Roos squad that made their way to the United States last year in Hayley Munro. Munro, one of the most highly sought after prospects in all of Australia, turned down a number of other schools to play for the Bulldogs after graduating from the Australian Institute of Sport, acknowledged as the top high school for athletics in the nation. The 6'1" swing player certainly made her presence felt against the Bulldogs in their scrimmage last year, as she tied for the team lead with 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.

"Both Hayley and Emma should come in very confident, having already played against Division I competition," said Wiggins. "Hayley is a powerful inside-out player, and Emma will bring a lot of energy to the team. Together, they will bring great balance to the team that we're putting together."

Fresno State also has three players committed from the fall signing period. Taja Edwards joins the Bulldogs from the CIF State Champions of Long Beach Poly, and two Pinole Valley teammates in Marnique Arnold and Jaleesa Ross have also signed with Fresno State, both having averaged over 13 points per game as seniors.

Those six signees will join two other players that will be making their first appearances on the floor for the Bulldogs in 2007-08 as Division I transfers. Rachel Majewski will play the post for the Bulldogs after transferring from New Mexico State to utilize a reshirt season, and LaShaunte Stephens, one of the top scorers from her San Francisco Dons squad of two years ago, will join Tierre Wilson as the top offensive threats for the Bulldogs next season.

Fresno State guard Chantella Perera with Munro and Andrews following a Australian Sapphires game.