SPRINGFIELD -- Whitney Edie (Exeter, Mo.), Kelsey Smith (Coppell, Texas), Christiana Shorter (Tulsa, Okla.) and Alyson Stock (Nixa, Mo.) have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Missouri State women's basketball program for the Fall 2009 semester, MSU Head Coach Nyla Milleson announced.

Edie became the fourth and final member of the Lady Bears' fall signing class Monday (Nov. 17). The 6-1 forward has already totaled more than 1,900 points and 1,000 rebounds for her high school career at Exeter High. Last year she averaged over 26 points and 12 boards per outing in helping Exeter to its first-ever district title in girl's basketball. Edie has failed to reach double digits in scoring in just one of 81 games as a prep.

Shorter helped lead Booker T. Washington High School to a 23-4 overall record and the Oklahoma Class 5A state title in 2007-08, averaging 10 points and five rebounds per contest. At 6-2, Shorter brings the versatility to play the post or step out to a wing spot where she can exploit her athleticism and ability to run the floor. She chose the Lady Bears over the likes of Wichita State, Oklahoma State, Tulsa and New Mexico State.

Smith was a first-team All-District 6-5A selection last season after averaging 16.7 points, seven boards and four assists in helping Coppell High go 20-16. A versatile athlete with the strong passing and shooting abilities, Smith can play on the block as well as the perimeter, where she has the ability to stretch defenses with her shooting range.

Stock averaged just under 10 points and four boards last season in her first year playing at Nixa High. The 6-3 post helped the Lady Eagles to a 19-8 record last year. Stock originally committed to the Lady Bears during her sophomore year at Salisbury (Mo.) High School, where she was an MBCA Class 2 All-State selection in 2006-07.

The Lady Bears will kick off their 40th season of competition Friday (Nov. 14) with a road tilt against Southeast Missouri State. Game time is set for 7 p.m. from the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. After a road trip to Tulsa next Wednesday (Nov. 19), MSU will return home for its inaugural game at JQH Arena against Arkansas State on Nov. 23.