Coach Swanson continues to drive the women's basketball upgrade.

One signee, Libby Underwood from Portsmouth, NH is the New Hampshire Player of the Year (as a junior!), first state POY we've had at W&M hoops since Marcus.

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Women's Basketball | 11/16/2016 4:29:00 PM |
Women's Basketball Inks Four for 2017-18
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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William & Mary head women's basketball coach Ed Swanson announced the signing of four high school seniors to National Letter's of Intent on Wednesday afternoon. Bailey Eichner, Nyla Pollard, Gabrielle Rogers, and Libby Underwood will all join the Tribe for the 2017-18 season.

"My staff and I are very excited to welcome this recruiting class to the Tribe," Swanson said. "Each player brings something special to our team, and I think they will all help us reach our goal of becoming one of the top teams in the CAA."

Bailey Eichner, Guard/Forward, 6-1, Cudahy, Wisc./Cudahy
High School
About to begin her fourth season of varsity basketball at Cudahy High School in Wisconsin … Named a team captain for her senior season … Tabbed as a First-Team All-Conference selection following her sophomore and junior seasons after being an honorable mention selection following her freshman campaign … As a junior averaged 13.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per night … A three sport athlete in high school, also playing volleyball and apart of the track & field team … On the volleyball court, was a captain from her sophomore to senior season … Picked up First-Team All-Conference honors this 22540season, after being a second-team selection as a sophomore, and an honorable-mention pick her freshman year … Competed in the triple and long jump as well … Became the first female in 10 years at her high school to advance to the state meet, where she placed seventh in the triple jump … Member of the National Honor Society.

Personal
Daughter of Charles and Heidi Eichner … Her aunt, Clare Eichner Taylor, was a cross country and track & field star at Wisconsin as a 10-time Big Ten Champion, seven time All-American, and four-time NCAA Champion … Plans on becoming a Physician's Assistant following graduation … Enjoys, shopping, hanging out with friends, hunting, and exercising in her free time.

Swanson on Eichner
"Bailey is a very versatile athlete and will help us in a number of areas. With the ability to play both guard and forward she will be able to fit into a number of roles. On top of that, she is also strong leader being named captain of both her high school's basketball and volleyball teams."

Nyla Pollard, Guard, 5-9, Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne
High School
A two-sport athlete at Princess Anne in Virginia Beach playing basketball and running track & field … Has helped lead Princess Anne to three straight VHSL State Championships from her freshman-junior year 22541… On a very talented team, Pollard has been named a team captain for her upcoming senior season … Played her AAU Basketball for the Lady Neptunes 15U, Boo Williams Gold, and the BWSL Richmond … Runs the 400-meter and 4x1 and 4x4 for the track team … In the classroom is involved with the Drama Club, Forensics Club, SCA/Executive Council, member of Princess Anne Planning Council, and a was a nominee for the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society since her sophomore year … Accepted into the Governor's School for the Arts.

Personal
Daughter of Leonard and Natisha Pollard … Brother, Demetrius, played college basketball at Northeastern from 2011-14, before transferring to Charleston Southern for the 2015-16 season … Plans on majoring in government with a pre-law focus … Enjoys traveling, watching Broadway musicals, going out to eat, and online shopping during her spare time.

Swanson on Pollard
"From just down the road in Virginia Beach, Nyla is a proven a winner and we are excited for her to bring that into our program. She has a very high basketball IQ, and is solid in every facet of the game. That will allow her to fit in well with our group of guards and will let her come in and compete right away."

Gabby Rogers, Center, 6-1, Dallas, Texas/Bishop Lynch
High School
Entering her senior season at Bishop Lynch in Dallas … Tabbed has her high school's MVP in 2013 … Picked up all-district team honors in 2015 … Averaged nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks during her career … Played AAU for the Urban Heroes Elite and Texas Elite … A member of the school's band, which were the TPSMEA State Marching Champion in 2015, while she has been named to the all-region 22538and all-state band.

Personal
Daughter of Rynd and Monique Rogers … Mother, Monique, played basketball at Wiley College, while her sister, Danielle, is in her senior season at Steven F. Austin … Plans on majoring in biology … Enjoys hanging out with friends and watching movies in her spare time.

Swanson on Rogers
"A 6-1 center, Gabby will help us replace the two senior post players we lose this year. She will also help us add depth to the post-position and will make us better down low. Gabby continues in her mom's and sister's footsteps in playing college basketball and we are thrilled she has joined the Tribe."

Libby Underwood, Guard, 5-9, Rye, New Hampshire/Portsmouth
High School
About to start her fourth season of varsity basketball at Portsmouth High School in New Hampshire … Earned All-State honors following her sophomore campaign … Tabbed as the 2A New Hampshire State Player of the Year, First-Team All-State, New Hampshire Coaches Organization Academic Honor Roll, Foster's Daily Democrat Player of the Year following her junior season … Helped her high school team to 22539the first undefeated regular season in school history … Has averaged 18 points per game, which includes 45-percent shooting clip from the floor … On pace to score her 1,000th career point as well … A two-sport athlete, she also has played two years of varsity soccer … Played her club basketball for the New England Crusaders EYBL, where she was tabbed a 2015 All-Star at the Nike National Championship in Washington, D.C. … In the classroom, she is involved with the Interact Club, Unified Soccer, and Special Olympics Basketball.

Personal
Daughter of Brian and Kristen Underwood … Mother, Kristen, played basketball at Merrimack College and Suffolk University … Plans on majoring in finance and accounting … Enjoys surfing in her spare time.

Swanson on Underwood
"Libby is an outstanding player and we are thrilled that she has decided to join our program. Her accolades speak for themselves and being named New Hampshire State Player of the Year as junior is a great accomplishment. We look for her to come and help us replace some of the scoring we will lose this year with the graduation of our senior guards."

So what has changed for the program? Is Swanson just THAT good of a recruiter? Because we certainly weren't getting this caliber of player under Coach Taylor

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Changes Ed Swanson has brought as I have observed:

*Team cohesiveness...Taylor had many player conflicts, especially with the best players. Often, players couldn't wait to get out and played accordingly. All That has disappeared.

*Total new defensive strategy..team plays aggressive pressing and trapping, forcing opponent turnovers.

*Upgrade in recruiting...more finished players, more talented players