INDIANAPOLIS- UIndy women's basketball head coach LeAnn Freeland revealed a talented list of early signees Friday, as Megan Birchmeier, Chas Lecher, Katy McIntosh, Rose Savela, and Shelby Wall have all signed National Letters of Intent to join the Greyhounds next fall.

“Our coaching staff is very excited and proud to announce our 2010 recruiting class,” says Coach Freeland.  “The five signees are very talented basketball players from strong basketball programs who know what it takes to be successful.  Each of them will be a positive representative for UIndy Women's Basketball on the court, in the classroom, and in the Indianapolis community.”

Megan Birchmeier (Corunna, Mich.) enters her senior season at Corunna High School with a pair of team M.V.P. awards to her credit, along with two First Team All-CAAC accolades.  The 5-7 guard put together a solid per-game stat line of 13 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.5 steals her junior year on the way to Michigan Class B All-State Honorable Mention accolades.

“Megan is a tough-minded guard who loves the physical side of the game,” comments Freeland.  “She is a very cerebral player who makes her presence known on both ends.”

Six-foot-one Chas Lecher hails from nearby Greensburg, Ind. and Greensburg High School.  The three-time All-Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference selection led the EIAC in rebounding last year.  She supplemented her 13.7 rebounds-per-game average with 16.1 points per contest while leading GHS to a 19-3 record.

“Chas is strong post player with the ability to run the floor in transition and score around the basket,” boasts Freeland.  “She also is one of the best high school rebounders I have seen.”

Katy McIntosh (Austin, Ind.) helped Austin High School to its second straight semi-state appearance last season.  The 5-7 guard did it all for the Lady Eagles last year, averaging 20.9 points (13th in the state), 8.1 boards, 5.7 assists (17th in the state), and 2.3 steals per game.  She is a two-time Mid Southern Conference Player of the Year and was named Second Team All-State and an Indiana Junior All-Star a year ago.

Says Freeland of McIntosh: “Katy is a hard-nosed guard who knows how to be productive on both ends of the court and make her teammates better.  She is a relentless player who can score in bunches.”

Like Birchmeier, Rose Savela will also come to UIndy by way of Michigan.  A three-time all-state honoree, the 5-10 guard hails from Manistee, Mich. were she led MHS to a 20-4 mark last year, thanks in part to her 21.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.8 apg and 1.8 bpg averages.  She was also twice named a Preseason Top 100 Player.

“Rose is a very talented guard who can push the ball in transition and score in a variety of ways,” notes Freeland.  “She can shoot the three, has a great mid-range jumper, and can take it to the rim.”

Kokomo, Ind.-native Shelby Wall rounds out the list. The Taylor High School student is a 5-7 guard who averaged 15.3 points per game as a junior while leading THS to a 20-5 record.  She is a three-time all-conference selection that garnered All-State Honorable Mention from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association last year.

“Shelby is a very skilled guard with tremendous shooting ability and a high basketball IQ,” says Freeland.  “She has great range with her shot and makes others better because of her strong work ethic.”

As most of these young ladies begin their seasons tonight, so will their future Greyhound teammates this Sunday when 11th-ranked UIndy hosts St. Catharine in the 2009-10 regular-season opener.  Tip time is scheduled for 3 p.m.