May 26, 2004

CLEVELAND - Aisha Farley, Robyn Hoying and Nikki Thomas have signed national letters of intent to attend Cleveland State and play basketball beginning in the fall of 2004. Vikings head coach Kate Peterson made the announcement on Wednesday.

A 6-1 forward, Farley (Shaker Heights, Ohio) was an honorable mention all-league pick each of her final two seasons at Shaker Heights High School. She led the squad to a second-place district finish in 2004, and as a sophomore, she helped the team claim a regional berth after winning both the sectional and district titles. The school's all-time leader in blocked shots, she recently competed in both the Black College All-Star Game and the Greater Cleveland Area All-Star Game. Farley also lettered four years in track, competing in the field events.

"Aisha has a passion and a fire for the game that is evident every moment she is on the court," Peterson said. "She has the ability to energize her teammates and will give us an immediate rebounding presence in the post."

Hoying (Fort Laramie, Ohio) was named MVP of the Division IV basketball tournament after leading Minster High School to a 25-2 record and the state title. A 6-0 forward, she earned special mention all-state accolades after averaging 12.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg. A four-year letterwinner in volleyball, she was first team all-state in 2003 as the squad finished with a 21-2 mark. As a sophomore, she helped lead the team to a 26-5 record and a berth in the state semifinals. A four-year letterwinner in softball, she is a member of the National Honor Society.

"As I watched Robyn during the recruiting process, I loved her physical play and solid fundamentals," Peterson noted. "She has excellent footwork and great hands and brings with her the experience of winning a state championship."

Thomas comes to Cleveland after spending the past two seasons at Garden City (Kan.) Community College. A 6-2 forward, she has three seasons of eligibility remaining after redshirting in 2002-03. She is a 2002 graduate of East Central High School in San Antonio, where she was an all-district selection in both basketball and track and a member of the National Honor Society.

"Nikki will add athleticism and quickness to our post position," Peterson said. "As a junior college player, she brings experience as well as the benefit of three years of eligibility."

The trio will join Brittany Korth (Clinton, Wis./Clinton), who the Vikings inked during the November early signing period, and Omega Harrington (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central), who transferred from Duquesne in early January.