Nov. 13, 2013
SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State women's basketball coach Kellie Harper's first recruiting class includes four prep standouts - three from Missouri and one from Illinois - the coach announced Wednesday (Nov. 13). Aubrey Buckley, Liza Fruendt, Audrey Holt and Lee Ann Polowy will join the Lady Bears as freshmen for the 2014-15 season.
"We are proud of our first recruiting class here at Missouri State," said Harper. "Our class of 2014 is made up of four young ladies who are excited about being part of the Lady Bear program. These are hard-working players who are competitive and proven high achievers. I believe they will help continue to enhance our rich tradition here at Missouri State."
Aubrey Buckley • 6-1 • F • Springfield, Mo. • Parkview High
A local product from Springfield's Parkview High, Buckley is rated as the No. 24 prospect nationally at her position according to ESPN's Hoopgurlz.com. Buckley averaged 22.7 points and 6.4 rebounds last season, grabbing 100 offensive boards for the year while adding 39 assists, 66 steals and 14 blocked shots in 28 games. She was a first-team all-state selection in 2013 according to both the coaches and the media. Buckley scored 626 points as a sophomore for a 24.1 per game average, adding 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals to earn first-team all-district and all-conference recognition.
Coach Harper on Buckley:
"Aubrey Buckley is a skilled forward who brings some versatility to the class. She has good size and a lot of potential."
Liza Fruendt • 5-9 • G • Batavia, Ill. • Batavia HS
Fruendt (rhymes with fluent) is entering her fourth season as a starting guard for Batavia High west of Chicago. Fruendt was a third-team all-state selection as a junior after averaging 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game for the 19-9 Bulldogs. She surpassed the 1,000-point mark in career scoring last season, scored at least 20 points in 17 contests, and was named the Kane County Chronicle Player of the Year. Fruendt was an all-conference selection both her sophomore and freshman seasons, averaging 14.4 points two years ago and 9.0 points as a freshman. Also a three-time state tennis qualifier at Nos. 2 and 3 singles, Fruendt's brother Nick played basketball at Northwestern from 2008-12, and sister Sara has been on the basketball team at the University of Dubuque since the beginning of the 2011 season.
Coach Harper on Fruendt:
"Liza Fruendt is a high-energy guard with the ability to create for herself or her teammates. She can score off the dribble or behind the 3-point line."
Audrey Holt • 6-1 • F • Columbia, Mo. • Rock Bridge HS
Holt is a multi-sport star for Rock Bridge High who is about to begin her second season as a starting post player for the two-time defending Missouri Class 5 champion Bruins. Holt averaged 5.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and shot 51 percent as a junior on a roster filled with talented players. Holt shot 60 percent from the floor with averages of 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds as a sophomore for the 26-3 state champs, and made two-thirds of her field goal attempts as a freshman while averaging 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds. Holt was a four-year starter as a middle blocker for the Rock Bridge volleyball team, and throws the shot put and discus during track and field season.
Coach Harper on Holt:
"Audrey Holt is a physical hard-working forward. She does all of the little things necessary for her team to win."
Lee Ann Polowy • 5-7 • G • Jefferson City, Mo. • Blair Oaks HS
Polowy (pronounced puh-LOW-vee) is a sharp-shooting guard for Blair Oaks High outside Jefferson City who begins her fourth year starting for the varsity this season. Last year, Polowy became the school's career leader in scoring (1,339 points) and 3-point makes (162) while averaging 17.4 points and four assists to earn first-team all-state, all-district and all-conference honors. She also hit a school-record seven treys in a game last season and made 53 for the year, and buried 66 triples as a sophomore to set the school's single-season record. Polowy averaged 18.7 points, 3.5 assists and shot 41 percent from beyond the arc that season, pouring in a school-record 32 points in one game as a second-team all-state and first-team all-conference and all-district pick. Polowy was also all-conference and all-district as a freshman, as she averaged 15.9 points per game and shot 41.3 percent from long range. She has also spent four seasons as an infielder and outfielder for the Blair Oaks softball team.
Coach Harper on Polowy:
"Lee Ann Polowy is a feisty guard who doesn't back down from anyone on the court. Her strength is her ability to knock down 3-pointers."
