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Banas, a 5-foot-6 guard from Tipp City, Ohio, has signed a letter of intent to further her education and continue her basketball career at MVNU. As a senior at Tippecanoe High School, she averaged 13.3 points, 7.7 assists, 4.3 steals, and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 82 percent at the free throw line. She was named to the All-League First Team as a junior and senior, and she was selected to the Southwest District Third Team and the District 9 All-Star Team this season.

"I am very pleased that Ashley will be wearing a Lady Cougar uniform for us next year," said MVNU head coach Steve Gregory. "She is a very gifted and talented athlete who will help us out at the point and shooting guard positions."

"Ashley recently wrapped up an outstanding senior basketball season," Gregory added. "She can score, but even more impressive is her ability to beat her opponents with the pass. She averaged nearly eight assists per game this year, and she also has great hands on defense as she totaled just over four steals per contest. She is an outstanding free throw and perimeter shooter, and she is a good ball-handler which will come in very handy at the collegiate level."

"There were several reasons why I chose MVNU," said Banas of her college choice. "It is a beautiful place where there are many opportunities for me to grow as an individual. The size of the university is perfect, and I know that at MVNU I will have the opportunity to develop as a student, as an athlete, and most importantly as a Christian."

"Not only am I impressed by Ashley's credentials on the court, but I am equally impressed with her character off the court," said Gregory. "She is a great fit for our institution as well as our basketball program. I look forward to continuing to work with Ashley athletically, academically, and spiritually."

MVNU, an NAIA Division II school, finished the 2002-2003 season with a 10-19 overall record. The Lady Cougars, who won the National Christian College Athletic Association national title in 2001, compete in the American Mideast Conference South Division.