Duffy Announces Early Signing Class
11/13/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Ohio - Miami women's basketball and head coach Megan Duffy had a successful National Signing Day this past week as the program was able to ink three talented women to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.
Duffy's first recruiting class includes two in-state products in Alexis Straw and Kennedy Taylor while Vannessa Garrelts hails from Illinois.
"We are thrilled with the new additions of Alexis, Vannessa and Kennedy to our first RedHawk class," said Duffy. "All bring a unique skill set to the table that will immediately impact our program. We really focused on bringing in a group of winners with a championship mentality. This group can not only play on the basketball court, but they are tremendous young women off the court. We cannot be more excited about the future of Miami Basketball."
Putting together the 2018 recruiting class was a high priority from day one for Duffy and her staff, with the goal being to lay a foundation for Miami basketball.
"As soon as we were hired in April, our staff hit the ground running identifying talent and working tirelessly to bring them to Miami," said Duffy. "Our recruiting coordinator, Ke'Sha Blanton, lead the charge, along with Frank Goldsberry and Michaela Mabrey, in putting this class together. We feel like this is only the beginning of where our recruiting efforts will go. I am excited about the momentum we are gaining to build a championship culture."
Vannessa Garrelts | 5-4 | Guard | Spring Grove, Ill. (Marian Central Catholic)
Coach Duffy on Vannessa: "Vannessa Garrelts brings depth to the point guard position. She fits perfectly into the pace and speed we want to play at. She makes other players around her better, and her ability to shoot the ball will put pressure on defenses. Vannessa brings great leadership and a competitive spirit every time she steps on the court. Her background playing for the Illinois Elite National AAU Team, under head coach Tom Hohenadel, gives her great experience from day one."
Alexis Straw | 5-9 | Guard | Lebanon, Ohio (Lebanon)
Coach Duffy on Alexis: "Alexis Straw has impressed me from the first day I met her. She knows what it takes to win and be successful. Her versatility to score inside and outside and play multiple positions will impact our RedHawk team. Alexis was the first local product from southwest Ohio under Dante Harlan's Cincinnati Angels program to believe in our staff and what we are building. Alexis wants to be great and has all the tools to impact our team immediately."
Kennedy Taylor | 5-9 | Guard | Columbus, Ohio (Bishop Hartley)
Coach Duffy on Kennedy: "Kennedy Taylor can fly down the court. Her ability to pick up defensively 94 feet is something fans are going to be excited to watch. She played on one of the elite AAU EYBL teams in All Ohio under J.B. Bethea, and understands how to compete against the best competition in the country. She's tough, dynamic and will bring instant energy to our team on both sides of the ball. Like Alexis, we are excited to welcome another Ohio talent to Oxford."
