KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team has announced the signing of three future Broncos to National Letters of Intent (NLI) on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Ashley Konkle, Sydney Shafer, and Taylor Williams will be eligible to compete for the Brown & Gold starting in the 2019-20 season.

"We are very happy with our three signees for the 2019 class," said head coach Shane Clipfell. "We added more size and versatility which is where our focus was for this class. Each of these players are very accomplished student-athletes who get it done in the classroom and on the court. Most importantly we know we are getting very high character kids who will be great ambassadors to our University, our community, and our basketball program as a whole." 

Ashley Konkle | 6-2 | F | Benet Academy | Aurora, Ill.
Konkle comes to WMU from Benet Academy in Lisle, Ill. She was ranked 17^th in the state of Illinois by Prep Hoops in 2018. Last season, Konkle was named a team captain earned Offensive Player of the Year, DuPage Valley & Naperville Sun All Area honors, and set a career-high with 31 points in a game. Ashley is a two-time DVC All-Conference member, two-time Athlete of the Month, and a three-time Academic All-Conference honoree with a cumulative 3.85 grade point average.

Clipfell:
" Ashley Konkle from Benet Academy coached by Joe Kilbride is a mobile and strong post player that can step out and hit the three as well. She gives us a back to the basket presence on offense and some physical toughness in the lane. She runs the floor very hard, has great hands and is a very good passing post player that will fit nicely with the hi-low action we run. She comes from a very good high school program that prepares players well for the college game. Konkle also played her travel ball for the Illinois Mercury AAU program."

Sydney Shafer | 5-10 | G | Northwest High School | Jackson, Mich.
Shafer led Northwest High School to its first ever regional championship last season while they fell short of a state championship as the runner-up. For her performance in 2017-18, Shafer was recognized as the Interstate 8 League MVP, JTV Sports Player of the Year, and MLive Jackson Citizen Patriot Dream Team Player of the Year, to name a few of many awards. She is a two-time All-Conference honoree, a two-time Team MVP, and has earned First Team All-State honors by Associated Press and The Detroit News.

Clipfell:
"Sydney Shafer from Jackson Northwest High School coached by Ryan Carroll is a versatile combo guard that we think can play either wing and could potentially play some point guard if needed. She's a highly competitive kid who puts in a lot of time in the gym on her own. She has a complete arsenal of offense that is highlighted bt having really deep range as a shooter which compliments her speed nicely. She knows how to compete to win and that is contagious. Shafer also played travel ball with the Michigan Mystics AAU programs."

Taylor Williams | 6-2 | F | Dakota High School | New Baltimore, Mich.
Williams is a four-year varsity player from Dakota High School while playing previously at Anchor Bay High School. MLive ranked Williams within the Top 15 players from Detroit and in the Top 30 in the state of Michigan. An All-State and two-time Macomb Area First Team All-Conference member, Taylor has led Dakota to two conference and district titles, as well as a regional championship.

Clipfell:
"Taylor Williams from Macomb Dakota High School coached by Phil McCune is a very mobile, long and versatile player who has been working hard in the weight room this fall which will really grow her game. She has the ability to guard all five positions and possibly play all five positions but will likely settle into the two through four position. She gives us some much needed length on defense and we think she can really create some issues at the rim. Williams also played travel ball for the Michigan Storm AAU program."

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @WMU_WBB | FACEBOOK: @WMUWBB