INDIANAPOLIS – Head coach Austin Parkinson has announced that three players have signed their National Letters of Intent (NLI) to play at IUPUI next season. The Jags welcome Natalie Andersen, Ali Berg and Presley Griffitts for the 2019 signing class.

"We are thrilled to welcome these young ladies to our Jag family," said Parkinson. "We feel fortunate to have added three quality individuals who will fit well in our culture. All three players have length, high IQ, the ability to score the basketball and position versatility."

Andersen is a 6-1 guard who plays at Mukwonago High School in Mukwonago, Wis. As a junior, Andersen was named the Classic 8 Conference Player of the Year and was a unanimous WBCA All-State selection. She was also named First Team All-County by the Waukesha Freeman and First Team All-Area by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Andersen was also selected to the All-Suburban Girls Basketball Team as well as Third Team All-State by the Associated Press and was named to the USA Today Wisconsin Girls Basketball Second Team.

"I am most excited to play with the talent that is already on the team and to have the opportunity to play for the Horizon League Championship," said Andersen. "I believe I will be able to contribute to the team because defensively I am a long competitive defender who can guard multiple positons and will do whatever it takes to win."

"Nat is a big time wing who can really score the ball," said Parkinson. "She has in the gym range on her shot, but also has a midrange game with the ability to pull up. Leading her team to the state championship last season showed why she is one of the top players in the state of Wisconsin. It will be fun to see all the different ways we can feature her in the offense and take advantage of her versatility defensively."

Ali Berg is a two-sport star hailing from Bourbonnais, Ill. The 6-2 guard/forward was named All-Area as a sophomore and junior and was named All-State Special Mention as a junior. During her sophomore year, Berg was named team MVP and was All-Conference as a junior.

Berg also starred on the soccer field named All-Conference and All-Area as both a sophomore and a junior as well as named the MVP of the soccer team as a junior. In the classroom at Bishop McNamara High School, Berg is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.

"I chose IUPIU because of its academic programs, women's basketball program, the atmosphere of the campus and the city, and the great people that I have met on my visits there," said Berg. "I'm really excited about the energetic and high tempo style of play they execute. I also love the team chemistry and the support the girls have for each other."

"Ali is a stretch forward with the ability to shoot it from deep.  Her length and athleticism will be fun to see at the next level, as I think she will create matchup problems for the other team," said Parkinson. "She reminds us of former Jag Jenna Gunn who had a very successful career here at IUPUI.  I think Ali has tremendous potential and it will be exciting to watch her develop her game at the next level."

Presley Griffitts signed out of Tecumseh High School in Medway, Ohio where the guard holds school records for most assists in a game and most assists in a season. The 5-11 guard was named CBC Kenton Trails Girls Basketball Player of the Year, First-Team CBS, Dayton D1 First Team All-Area, District 9, D1 All-Star Team, Second Team Southwest District and named to the All-Harvest Team.

 In the classroom, Griffitts has been named to the Principal's List as well as the Honor Roll and was also awarded Student of the Month.

"I will contribute to the team as much as possible," said Griffitts. "I am always putting in hard work and I will continue that in college. I am very blessed for this opportunity and I will always work hard for that. I am very exciting to play at the next level at such a great academic and athletic school."

"Pres is a unique player in that she can play multiple positions on both ends of the floor," said Parkinson." She has a tremendous feel for the game and is one of the best passers we've brought to IUPUI.  What I think can have an impact right away is her ability to attack the rim off the dribble and high motor on the defensive end of the floor."

The three will join a very strong undergraduate class as Parkinson continues to build a program to compete for a Horizon League Championship.