Valparaiso University women's basketball coach Keith Freeman has announced the signings of four players to National Letters of Intent to play for the Crusaders beginning in the 2004-2005 season.

Joining the Brown and Gold next fall are centers Evva Comans and Sarah Harper, along with forward Abby Nielsen and guard Sarah Ott.

Comans is a 6'4" center from Zonhoven, Belgium. This past summer, she competed with the Belgium national team at the European Championship qualifying event where she averaged 11.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.2% from the floor. She is currently playing for the Damesbasketbalclub Houthalen, a club team, where she is averaging 13.8 points per contest.

?Evva is a great athlete who can run and jump," according to Freeman. ?She can grab the rim and likes physical play. She has the potential to be a solid post player."

Harper is a 6'3" center from Mooresville, Ind. As a junior, she averaged 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for Mooresville High School. Last year she helped lead the Pioneers to a sectional title and was an Academic All Mid-State Conference selection.

?Sarah is a physical and skilled post player who can score with her back to the basket," Freeman said of Harper.

Nielsen, a 6'1" forward from Maplewood, Minn., was an Honorable Mention All-State selection last season at Tartan High School. She averaged 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and is a two-time All-Classic Suburban Conference selection. As a freshman, she was named conference Rookie of the Year.

?Abby is a strong player who is a skilled shooter and good passer," said Freeman. ?She gives us a different type of high post player than what we currently have."

Ott is a 6'0" guard from Chippewa Falls, Wis. A two-time All-Big Rivers Conference selection from Chippewa Falls High School. Last season she averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for the Cardinals, and was named the county Player of the Year as a junior.

?Sarah is a tall guard who is very skilled," Freeman said of Ott. ?She will help us add size to our perimeter game."

The Crusaders will open their 2003-2004 season on Saturday evening when Valpo heads to Eugene, Ore. for the Women's Sports Foundation Classic. Valparaiso will face Oregon in the opener beginning at 8:30 p.m. CST.