1981-82: (Junior): Showed remarkable improvement in the last half of the '81-82 season after a slow start, lifting her scoring average to 8.4 points per game... McFerrin has doubled her scoring average each year... A starter in 27 of Missouri's 33 games last season... When her game is on, she's deadly from the 15-20 foot range... Her career high of 23 points came against Iowa State on Feb. 27, 1982... Three days earlier she had her best rebounding total of 11 against Oklahoma... Collected six steals last year in Mizzou's win over UCLA, tying a season-high mark for one game... McFerrin has seen action at both guard and forward since her freshman season, and after a summer of playing competitively in California this year should be her best.
1980-81 (Sophomore): Steady performer who saw action in all but one game as a sophomore, starting six... Is comfortable at either guard or forward and is expected to split time between those positions in '81-'82... Holds individual record for field goal accuracy last season with 5-for-5 performances versus Louisiana St. (Nov. 29, 1980) and New Mexico (Dec. 12, 1980)... High-scoring game was 14 points against Northwest Missouri State (Feb. 11, 1981), also a career high... Has worked hard over the summer and could move into a starting role... Averaged 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.
1979-80 (Freshman): Will challenge for starting role in '80-81... Played sparingly until Julie Maxey's injury last year... Scored 4.8 points and grabbed 5.2 rebounds in last 10 games in '79-80, while starting the last seven... A good leaper, high output was 10 against Nebraska (Mar. 6, 1980)... Pulled down eight rebounds on three occasions (versus Northwest Missouri State, Stephen F. Austin St., and Central Missouri St.)... A consistent player... Makes few mistakes... Handed out five assists versus arch-rival Kansas (Mar. 1, 1980).
Rutherford on McFerrin: "Melissa is a very smooth player and exciting to watch because she seems to make things happen on the court. She'll play both forward and guard for us this year. Game experience will be a valuable complement to the natural skills she already has."
High School: Another of the guards recruited to compensate for the loss of Sharon Farrah, McFerrin led Cassville (Mo.) H.S. to the 2A regional championship her senior year, averaging 19.7 ppg and 14 rpg last season... Named a first team all-stater in '79... Recruited by several Big Eight schools... Possesses excellent jumping ability and at 5'9" goes to the boards well.
Personal: Majoring in physical education... Born Dec. 20, 1960.