Feb. 11, 2010

Memphis, Tenn. - Mount St. Mary Academy forward/midfielder Ashley Barksdale signed a National Letter of Intent to join the University of Memphis women’s soccer program as announced by head coach Brooks Monaghan on Wednesday. She is the sixth of seven signees of the Lady Tigers 2010-11 signing class.

“Ashley Barksdale is another signee that is very versatile,” Monaghan said. “I have seen her play up top and in the back. I think she best suits us playing in the back. She is an actual left-footed player and that is always nice to have. She meets that mold of a player that can play up top or in the back.”

The North Little Rock, Ark. native has received four varsity letters at Mount St. Mary Academy and is coached by Donnie Bridges. Barksdale is a two-time All-Conference selection for the Belles. She helped the Belles to the Arkansas 7A High School State Championship in 2008. The Belles were also finalists in the 2007 State Tournament.

“Ashley has a very good pace to her game and she has the tools we look for in an outside back,” Monaghan said. “She has the ability to go forward and there are not many players that are going to be able to beat her pace. We are very happy to have Ashley join our program and I think she will definitely give us that depth we are looking for in the back, especially on the left side.”

Barksdale is the daughter of Marta and Leonard Davis and John Barksdale.

2010-11 Signing Class

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

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

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

F- Emmaleigh Davis, 5-5, Pascagoula, MS / Resurrection Catholic HS

D- Avery Dellheim, 5-8, Tucson, AZ / Catalina Foothills

D- Ashley Barksdale, 5-6, North Little Rock, AR / Mount St. Mary Academy