Feb. 5, 2010

Memphis, Tenn. - Miller Grove High School midfielder/forward Rasheeda Ansari has signed a National Letter of Intent to join head coach Brooks Monaghan and the University of Memphis women's soccer program. Ansari is the third of seven signees announced by Monaghan for the 2010-11 signing class.

"We are extremely excited to add Rasheeda to our program here at the University of Memphis," Monaghan said. "She has unbelievable athletic ability and her pace is going to give the opposition fits, no matter how good the opposition is. It is has been very exciting to have watched her play over the last year at tournaments while recruiting her and see her grow as a soccer player. The first thing that stands out about her is how fast she is and I think she will continue to improve once she is in our environment. She is a kid that has the ability to be big time and I think over time she is going to get better and better."

The Lithonia, Ga., native has lettered for three seasons at Miller Grove High School. She is an All-County honoree. A two-sport athlete, Ansari also lettered in track, where she finished fifth in the 100m dash at the Georgia State Track Meet.  

"We expect her to come in and compete for playing time from the start," Monaghan said. "We are excited to have her join the program and she is going to add another dimension to the program. We have some very good forwards, but to add somebody like Rasheeda up front, gives us another weapon."

Ansari is the daughter of Venecia Turner-Ansari.

2010-11 Signing Class

MF- Alena Strnadova , 5-6, Las Cruces, NM / Las Cruces HS

MF- Kelley Gravlin, 5-4, St. Louis, MO / Incarnate Word Academy

F- Rasheeda Ansari , 5-4, Lithonia, GA / Mille Grove HS