May 19, 2005

PORTLAND, Ore. -- University of Portland head women's basketball coach Jim Sollars has announced that junior college guard Anne Graner of North Dakota State College of Science has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Pilots next fall. Graner (5-9) was a two-time All-America selection at NDSCS, garnering third team honors as a freshman and honorable mention status her sophomore season.

She was a first team Mon-Dak Conference pick both seasons and is NDSCS's all-time leader in steals with 173. Graner also is the No. 3 scorer all-time with 914 points and places fifth in career assists with 224. She averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game last season. Graner was twice named honorable mention all-state at Plainview High School in Red Wing, Minn. as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,697 points. She also holds the Plainview record for career steals (400) and rebounds (1027). Graner will have two years of eligibility remaining at Portland.

"Anne is an excellent student and a strong, tough kid," said Sollars. "She is not afraid to get on the floor for loose balls or take charges, and she is also an excellent rebounder for her size. The toughness factor was something we thought was very important to add to our team and Anne fits that profile."

Graner joins previously signed high-schoolers Allyson Sievers, Carly Koebel and Jennifer Wassom as part of Portland's 2005 recruiting class.

The Pilots will return eight players, including three starters, from last year's team which finished with a 6-22 overall record. Point guard Whitney Grant (10.7 ppg, 2.9 apg) has been a three-year starter at guard for Portland, while sophomores-to-be Meagan Bermingham (8.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Brooke Fernandez (3.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg) also return with much starting experience.