Women’s Basketball Signs Kiely, Forsythe and Dobbs in Early Signing Period

American University Head Women's Basketball Coach Matt Corkery has announced the signing of three student-athletes during the early signing period. Sarah Kiely, Brooke Forsythe and Alexis Dobbs have each committed to enroll at AU and will join the Eagles in the fall of 2010.

"We are excited to welcome the future class of 2014 into our program," commented Corkery. "Sarah, Brooke and Alexis are talented student-athletes with the ability to help our team be successful well into the future."

Kiely is 6-foot forward from Newtown, Pa. She led her high school team in scoring (14.8 ppg) and rebounds (9.0 rpg) last season at Council Rock North High School. She also finished as the top scorer in the Continental Conference and as the third-leading scorer in the Suburban One League, which includes three conferences. For her efforts, Kiely was named the Continental Conference Player of the Year and First-Team All-Conference. She also served as team captain, leading her team to an undefeated record of 14-0 and a berth in the state playoffs. In her sophomore year, Kiely led her team in scoring (12.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg). As one of three players to start all 26 games, she also set the team record for most rebounds in a game (20), breaking the previous record of 18.

"There are not many players out there that have the versatility that Sarah has," said Corkery. "She can play with her back to the basket, rebound in traffic and also hit the perimeter shot. Sarah has great athleticism and will thrive in our up-tempo style of play."

Forsythe is a 6-foot-2-inch center from Lodi, Ohio. In her freshman year, Forsythe helped Brunswick High School win the District Championship and make their first Regional appearance since 1992. After receiving the team's Most Improved Player award in her sophomore season, Forsythe was named an All-Conference Honorable Mention and an All-Northeast Ohio Inland District Honorable Mention, as well as an Ohio.com high school all-star selection in her junior campaign. Last year at Cloverleaf High School, Forsythe was named First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Northeast Ohio Inland District, and received a Division 1 All-Ohio Special Mention. She averaged 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.45 steals per game last season, and her 85.7 free throw percentage was the second highest single-season mark in Medina County history.

"Brooke has an excellent combination of size, strength, skill and mobility," Corkery remarked. "She has great hands, can run the floor and finishes at a high percentage around the basket. There is no doubt Brooke will add a new dimension to our post game."

Dobbs, a 5-foot-6-inch guard out of Berea, Ohio, was named First Team All-District, First Team All-Private School, and First Team All-Area NE Ohio during her career at Hathaway Brown High School. In her sophomore and junior years, Dobbs played a key role in Hathaway Brown's District and Regional Championships. In the 2008-09 season, her high school team captured the OHSAA Division II State Championship. Dobbs also led the conference in steals and was awarded Co-MVP Honors, as well as the Best Defender Award in her junior campaign after averaging 10 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 4.0 steals per game. Dobbs is Hathaway Brown's all-time assist and steals leader and is a three-year varsity letterwinner.

"Alexis is an energy player with the ability to push the tempo on offense and create pressure on defense," said Corkery. "She will be a leader out on the floor from day one. She comes from a basketball family, and it is very evident in the way she plays and thinks the game."

The 2009-10 American University women's basketball team will open its campaign this Friday, November 13 at crosstown rival Howard at 7 p.m. The Eagles are coming off back-to-back seasons in which they earned postseason appearances for the first time in program history.