Nov. 17, 2008

San Francisco women's basketball head coach Tanya Haave has announced the signings of four high school seniors to National Letters of Intent. Center Bailey Barbour (Harbor City, CA/Inglewood HS), guard Ashley Boggs (Petaluma, CA/Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep), forward Whitney Daniels (Manhattan Beach, CA/Mira Costa HS), and guard Melody Khlok (Elk Grove, CA/John F. Kennedy HS) comprise an all California freshman class that will compete for the Dons starting in the 2009-2010 season.

"I want to congratulate my staff and players because we signed a really nice class," Haave said. "Everyone worked really hard to get these girls here and I'm really proud of them all. We can start building with the freshmen we have now, and with this new class. Time will tell, but I think this is a great class."

Bailey Barbour, a 6'3" post, will be a key player, giving the Dons a strong inside presence. She transferred from Torrance High School to Inglewood High school after her junior season. Barbour chose USF over BCS schools such as Oregon State, Arizona, Mississippi State, and Pittsburgh, as well as UNLV and Fresno State. She was a member of the AAU club team Cal Sparks Gold with current Don guard Rheina Ale.

"Bailey has a great build," Haave said. "We'll develop her, but she will really help us with her size in the post. She is a great girl from a great family and it was nice that we got her. We beat out some big schools, so she was a huge sign for us."

Ashley Boggs will come to the Hilltop from Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco. A four-year varsity member, Boggs has led the Fightin' Irish to three Division III state championships and also a 2008 National Title. The 5-11 guard also played AAU basketball for the East Bay Xplosion.

"Ashley is a local girl who knows how to win and expects to win," said Haave. "She's been a part of three California State Championships and last year's National Champion. She's a shooting guard/small forward who really came on this last summer. She works hard, is a great student, great person. She really is the complete package."

Whitney Daniels, a 6'2" forward played two and a half years at Santa Monica High School with current Don Katy Keating prior to transfering to Mira Costa High School in the second half of her junior year. As a junior, Daniels averaged 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks en route to leading Mira Costa to the state championships, where it fell in the title game. A two-time defensive player of the year, Daniels was a starter for the Cal Swish Black AAU Team. In addition to her accomplishments on the court, Daniels is a three-time scholar athlete honoree.

"Whitney comes to us from one of the biggest AAU programs, not only in the state, but in the country," Haave said. "She is a very athletic and great defensive post player. We'll work with her on her perimeter skills, but she'll be able to help immediately defensively and with rebounds."

Melody Khlok comes to USF as a four year varsity athletefrom Sacramento's John F. Kennedy High School. The 5-9 guard has been a two-year captain and was named her team's MVP in both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. As a junior, she was named First Team All-Metro and Delta Valley Conference MVP after averaging 14 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 3.0 assists.

"Mel is a great athlete with a strong build," said Haave. "She will be a complement to our program. She has an attitude similar to Shay Rollins in that she's not going to back down from anyone. She works hard and has a great work ethic; I think she'll do very well in the WCC."