Nov. 18, 2003

Laura Menty, Heather Stec, Melissa Manzer and Shondaya Burrell have signed national letters of intent to play at Siena College head coach Gina Castelli announced today. All four high school seniors will join the Saints for the 2004-2005 season.

"My assistant coaches Andrea Woodbury, Angel Elderkin and Melanie Halker did an excellent job in recruiting these four players," said Castelli. "Their persistence gave us the opportunity to sign highly-skilled players who are also outstanding young women. This class provides us with depth in every position and we are all excited to have them as a part of the Siena program."

Menty comes from Minnechaug High School in Wilbraham, Mass. where she averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. The 6-1 forward, a captain of this year's squad and a 1,000-point scorer, led her team to the State Finals. She is a Street and Smith High School All-American Honorable Mention and a three-time All Western Massachusetts and All-League performer. Menty chose Siena over a number of schools including Boston University and Georgetown University.

"Laura is an intense post player who is an excellent scorer and a tenacious defender," commented Castelli. "She will add depth and instant scoring to our post position. We are excited to have a hard worker like Laura join our program."

Stec is a 6-2 forward out of Cazenovia High School in Cazenovia, N.Y. who averaged 13 points and nine rebounds last season. A First Team All-League selection and gold medallist in the Pentathlon at the Empire State Games, she also considered Bucknell and Harvard before making her choice to attend Siena.

"Heather is an athletic post player with passion and an unbelievable work ethic," said Castelli. "She has a tremendous attitude and I look forward to working with her for the next four years."

Manzer, a 5-6 point guard, hails from Johnson City High School in Johnson City, N.Y. and averaged 32 points per game last season. A Press and Sun Bulletin All-Metro Team member, she has scored 1,260 points thus far in her career. Manzer picked Siena over LaSalle, St. Bonaventure, Fairfield, George Mason and Binghamton.

Burrell, a local player from Colonie High School in Colonie, N.Y. averaged 12 points and seven rebounds last year as a 5-9 guard. The First Team All-Suburban selection will join current Siena players Michelle Blot and Kate Dooley as Capitol Region products to wear the Green and Gold. Burrell chose Siena over several schools including St. Bonaventure, Northeastern, Delaware and Albany.

"Shondaya is a true athlete," stresses Castelli. "Her speed and ability to score off of the dribble is one of the best that I have seen in her position. One of the best players to come out of the area this year, she is quick and tenacious and will be a strong asset to the defensive end as well."

The Saints will kick off their 2003-04 season this Friday as they take on Albany in a doubleheader with the men's team at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, N.Y. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00p.m.