EDINBURG,  Texas - The University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball head coach Denny Downing announced the addition of five to the Broncs family.

Three of these players --Taylor Cyphers, Ashlee' Ivy and Joyea Marshall-- come to UTPA from last year's Kansas State champion, Wichita Heights High School; this program is ranked as one of the top girls' basketball programs in the nation. Alexandria Hill of Bolingbrook High School in Illinois, and KaeLynn Boyd of Hahnville High School in Louisiana were also announced as additions to the team for the 2012-13 season.

Taylor Cyphers - Wichita Height High School
“I think this is going to be a great experience for me and I get to play my next four years of college with two girls I have been playing with the last four years. I just felt like it was a really good fit for me, I really clicked with the team and I love the coaches,” Cyphers said.

What Coach Downing said about Cyphers:
“Taylor (6-2) will bring size and athleticism to our front line. With her ability to run the floor and rebound, she really fits our style of play. You don't find many high-school players with her size that can handle the ball with either hand. We feel she has a huge upside.”

Ashlee' Ivy - Wichita Heights High School
“I committed to UTPA because I love the environment there. I love the family-like atmosphere. The coaching staff is awesome, the team is amazing, and they made me feel at home. I love that the main focus is not basketball… it's academics. Their program is great and I can't wait to be a part of it,” Ivy said.

What Coach Downing said about Ivy:
“Ashlee (5-10) is a player who we feel can make an immediate impact to our program.  Her size and athleticism on the perimeter is much needed in our program. Ashlee's skill set will allow her to play more than one position for us. Ashlee has played varsity since her freshman year.”

Joyea Marshall - Wichita Heights High School
"I chose UTPA because I felt immediately comfortable with the coaches and players. I like how they focus on their students' education first. I also loved the family feel of the program. I wanted to join Coach Downing in building up a successful program and also expand my basketball experience, and I felt I could do that as a Bronc," Marshall said.

What Coach Downing said about Marshall:
“Joyea is a player who can score from a lot of different places on the floor. We really like her skill set. She is one of those versatile players at 5-11 that can play the guard position.  She is an extremely competitive player.”

What Coach Downing said about Cyphers, Ivy and Marshall deciding to play together:
“For our program to attract three players from one of the premier programs in high school basketball in the state of Kansas speaks volumes to the recruiting efforts of our staff. Assistant coach, Britney Jordan had a huge role in this process. Heights head coach Kip Pullium was very supportive in allowing us full access to recruit to his players. Obviously, the athletes' familiarity with each other should make their transition much easier. Heights is coming off an undefeated season which crowned them State Champs of Kansas.”

Alexandria Hill - Bolingbrook High School
Hill comes to UTPA from Bollingbrook High School in Illinois. Bolingbrook High is ranked as the second best girls basketball program in the nation and has won the Illinois State Championship the last two seasons.

“I feel great about choosing UTPA. I chose UTPA because it has a very positive atmosphere and I feel like I can continue to develop as an individual and as a basketball player,” Hill said.

What high school Coach Tony Smith said:
“Allie Hill is a natural born leader and can stretch your defense and with her three point shooting ability, she has been a key contributor to our back-to-back state titles.”

What Coach Downing said about Hill
“Allie comes from one of the top high school basketball programs in the country. Last year her team was ranked second in the USA TODAY national high school poll. Allie has played  both shooting guard and point guard on a very high level high school and AAU team . She has the ability and skill set to make an immediate impact to our program. She can really shoot the ball and can also create off the dribble, which in our spread offense will be a great asset.”

KaeLynn Boyd – Hahnville High School
Boyd joins UTPA after receiving First Team All-District accolades the last two seasons at Hahnville High School in Louisiana. She was also selected District 6-5A Most Valuable Player and All-Metro Team in 2010-11.

“I chose UTPA because the coaches and players provided a loving and caring environment, so I didn't feel out of place. I felt content and as if it was destined for me to be a Bronc. The coaches also expressed educational values and the importance of being a student first and an athlete after,” Boyd said.

What Coach Downing said about Boyd:
“KaeLynn is known as a gym rat and has leadership qualities that give her the ability to become a floor leader. She has been a force within her district as she was named MVP as a junior in a very tough Louisiana district. My staff and I extremely excited about the opportunity to coach KaeLynn Boyd.” 

What high school Coach Kevin Robicheaux said:
“KaeLynn 'Kae Kae' Boyd is like a coach on the court, she knows the game and understands what needs to be done for her team to be successful. Freshmen normally don't come to a large school like Hahnville and receive significant playing time; she not only came in as a freshman and contributed, but she started and at times led our team. It has been a pleasure to coach 'Kae Kae' and I look forward to seeing her step up to the college level next year.”

Coach Downing is expecting one more signee later this week.