The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team has signed an important recruit for the 2011-2012 season as Sarah Shirey has decided to further her education and continue her basketball career by attending MVNU and playing for the Lady Cougars.

Shirey, a 5-foot-7 shooting guard from Plymouth, Ohio, averaged 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.6 steals as a senior at Plymouth High School as she was named to the Firelands Conference First Team and the District 6 Second Team after being on the Firelands Conference and District 6 First Teams as a junior while also being an All-Ohio Honorable Mention pick. She finished with 977 career points and 111 career three-pointers made.

"We are excited that Sarah has made the decision to come to MVNU next year," said MVNU coach Steve Gregory, who has compiled a 201-192 record in 13 seasons at his alma mater. "She fills a critical need at the guard position with the graduation of (two-year starter) Lauren Johnson."

"Sarah is a hard-nosed competitor who gets after it," Gregory added. "She is a very strong perimeter shooter with deep range. She can slash to the basket, she sees the floor well and finds open teammates with good passes, and she handles the ball well."

"Not only am I excited to get a good player, but I am equally impressed with her academic and spiritual life," Gregory continued. "She will be a great fit for MVNU and will continue the tradition of strong perimeter shooting guards coming through the Lady Cougar basketball program."

"The main reason that I chose to go to MVNU was the atmosphere that I felt while walking on campus," said Shirey. "I loved how everyone made me feel welcome. I also enjoyed being around Coach Gregory and his staff. To me, it just felt right."

MVNU finished the 2010-2011 season with a 21-9 overall record and a 10-5 American Mideast Conference mark. The Lady Cougars, who topped the 20-win mark for the third straight year, were ranked No. 24 in the final NAIA Division II poll and made the program's first-ever appearance in the NAIA Division II National Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa.