May 17, 2001

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lindsay Myers (Allentown, Pa./Dieruff), Brianne Welte (Owosso, Mich./Owosso) and Ashley MacLelland (Kimberton, Pa./Phoenixville) have committed to the Lafayette women's basketball program as members of the College's incoming Class of 2005.

Myers is a talented local product who played her high school career at Dieruff High School in Allentown, Pa. The 5-8 guard averaged 20.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in her senior season and was the team's leading scorer for all four varsity seasons. Myers scored over 1,000 points and finished third on Dieruff's all-time scoring list.

A versatile athlete, Myers competed in four varsity sports, earning letters in basketball, softball, track and field and hockey. Myers was a four-year starter on the hardwood, earning All-League and All-District First-Team honors in her final two seasons. She achieved team MVP honors in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and served as a team captain in her final two seasons.

"Lindsay is a real find for the program, as we had to battle with several scholarship schools to get her to come to Lafayette," said retiring head coach Pat Fisher. "Her strengths are her scoring and rebounding and are supplemented by her court awareness. Lindsay's athleticism will be a big plus in filling the gaps needed for the running and pressing games. She will make her presence known as a freshman."

Welte is a talented post player from Owosso, Mich., located outside of the state's capital, Lansing. The 6-1 post player averaged 15.0 points and 10.3 rebounds in her final prep campaign at Owosso High School and is ranked as one of the top 10 frontcourt players in the state.

She earned All-District, All-Conference and Team MVP honors in 1999 and 2001 while leading her squad to the district playoffs. Welte was a two-sport athlete, competing in volleyball in addition to her hoops exploits.

"Brianne was highly recruited by Lafayette and signed early," Fisher said. "She runs the floor well and is the type of player who can shore up the post position. She should make a strong contribution her freshman year and be a force in the inside game."

MacLelland poses an inside-outside threat from the small forward position. The all-time leader in Phoenixville Area High School history, MacLelland scored 1,600 points in her high school career. She averaged 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as a senior while guiding the team to a 21-5 record. She led her squad in both scoring and rebounding three of her four years as a starter.

The 5-11 MacLelland competed in softball, field hockey and lacrosse in addition to basketball at Phoenixville. MacLelland secured All-Conference honors in three seasons and All-District accolades in two of those campaigns.

"Ashley is a physically strong player who possesses great athletic skills that will make her a solid addition to the frontcourt," Fisher said. "She adds a new dimension by providing an inside-out threat. We feel very lucky to have her come to Lafayette after getting in late on the recruiting process."

Lafayette's 2000-01 season came to an end with a loss in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League Tournament on March 2. The Leopards finished with a 7-21 record. Fisher, Lafayette's head coach for 21 seasons, officially announced her retirement on April 5. A search is currently underway for her successor.