Nov. 10, 1999

COLUMBIA, MO., Nov. 10 __University of Missouri women's basketball coach Cindy Stein announced the signings of three talented high school players on the first day of the early signing period. The Tigers inked Missouri standout Terianne Wolford of Nixa High School, Evan Unrau of Ft. Collins, Colo. and Tracy Lozier of Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kan.

Wolford, a 6-0 forward, enters her senior season at Nixa High as three-year starter. A second team All-State selection last season, Wolford is averaging over 18 points per game and is shooting over 59 percent for her career. She is also averaging over seven rebounds for her career. Wolford is a three-time, first team All-Conference pick and was named the AAU Missouri Player-of-the-Year as a sophomore. She has also been selected as an honorable mention AAU All-American.

Wolford is also a tremendous volleyball player who been recruited by several Division I schools.

"Terianne is a tremendous athlete who will just get better and better," said Stein. "She really impressed us with her versatility of being able to be physical inside and go out on the perimeter and knock down the three. She comes from a very successful high school and AAU program in the state of Missouri. Once again, I think that we have gotten one of the best players in the state of Missouri."

Unrau will enter Missouri as one of the top high school players out of the state of Colorado. The 6-1 post player is a three-year starter for Rocky Mountain High School and is a two-time All-Conference performer. Unrau averaged 16.2 point per game last year to go along with 9 rebounds per contest.

Not only is Unrau a great basketball player, she is an All-State soccer goalie as well as a finalist for the state of Colorado's volleyball Player-of-the-Year. Rocky Mountain High is currently ranked No. 1 in the state.

"Evan will give us another weapon on the inside that can also step out and nail the trey," said Stein. "She has a lot of power in that she is a tenacious rebounder and a big scoring threat from anywhere on the floor. She is quiet and unassuming off the court, but a force on the court. Her athleticism is going to blend in well with our returning squad."

Lozier is a 5-10 guard that can play both the point and shooting guard positions. One of the most heralded players coming out of the state of Kansas, Lozier has helped lead her team, Blue Valley North High, to two straight Class 6A state titles. She averaged 15 points, 8 assists and 7 steals last season and is a two-time Kansas City All-Metro selection. Lozier won the DiRenna Award this past season recognizing her as the top player in the Kansas City metropolitan area. She claimed the award over teammate and Nebraska signee Shahidrah Roberts, who had won the award the previous season. Lozier was also a high school teammate of current Tiger Wannette Smith.

Lozier was also a key player in helping Blue Valley North win the Class 6A state title in soccer.

"Tracy is a player that I have enjoyed watching the last four years," said Stein. "She is highly competitive, talented and athletic. She can play any of the three guard positions because of her solid ballhandling skills and scoring capabilities. She is a true leader and inspiring individual."

Missouri will be playing the 1999-00 season with eight newcomers that may add up to one of the top recruiting classes in school history. The Tigers hope this recruiting class, although smaller in numbers, will help continue to build Missouri into a Big 12 power.

"We are very excited about this group of fine young ladies," Stein said. "As much as we are impressed with the talent and athleticism that they will bring to MU, the type of people and students that they are, is just as impressive. They know our high expectations and have embraced those as their own. We are looking forward to the moment they step on the floor for Missouri."