January 28, 2011 HAMDEN, Conn. - Quinnipiac University Women's Basketball Head Coach Tricia Fabbri has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Jaci Oskam (Glenmont, N.Y.), Sam Guastella (Red Bank, N.J.), Jasmine Martin (Sicklerville, N.J.) and Gillian (Boo) Abshire (Washington D.C.), will join the Bobcats for the 2011-2012 season.

"These girls have the potential to make up one of the best classes that we have ever signed," said Fabbri.

Jaci Oskam comes to Quinnipiac as a two-year captain at Bethlehem Central Lady Eagles. She most recently was nominated to the McDonald's All-American Team. She currently averages 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks per game, shooting 78 percent from the free-throw line. Jaci has led the Lady Eagles as their top scorer and rebounder, for the past two years. In 2009, she was named Bethlehem Central All Around Player of the Year and was selected as the team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2008. Oskam has played for the Albany Capitals since 2004, who was the US Junior National Runner-Up in 2009. Oskam was also a four-year starter and senior captain for the Bethlehem Central volleyball team. Her team won back-to-back NYS Section 2 Class AA Championships in 2008 and 2009.

"Jaci Oskam is a silky smooth sharpshooter, who possesses deep range behind the arc, has the skill set to get to rim or can post against much smaller guards," said Fabbri. "Her size and length will be a tremendous asset on the defensive side of the ball, too."

Sam Guastella joins the Bobcats next season after a tremendous career at Red Bank Catholic High School. A 6-foot forward, Guastella shot 62 percent from the floor and averaged 16.6 points and 11.6 rebounds last season. She was also selected to the All-Shore second team in her junior year. Guastella is one of only four players at Red Bank to have scored 30 or more points in a single game. She also holds Red Bank's record for blocks in a season (110), also holding the school's record for most blocks in a game (7). Guastella is the only player at Red Bank to finish 14 field goals in a game. Also, a dynamic volleyball player, Guastella was named team captain and selected to the All-Shore Girls Volleyball first team as a senior.

"Sam Guastella is a high energy, vocal athlete, who has played for one of the most respected programs and coach in the state of New Jersey," said Fabbri. "Red Bank Catholic has been a tri-state area powerhouse and Sam is a big reason why. She will play a vital role in our very successful hi-low game."

A 5'-9" guard, Jasmine Martin has been a top player in the South Jersey area. In her senior season at Timber Creek High School, Martin was named team captain, for the second-straight year, and to the Courier Post's All-South Jersey Pre-season first team. Throughout her high school career, she has been named All-Conference, Most Valuable Player, and the team's leading scorer. She has also posted over 1,000 points at Timber Creek. She was ranked seventh amongst the "Top Scorers in the State" in the Network Star's top-10 player list. Martin also played for the Lady Running Rebels this past summer. The team posted an impressive record of 54-6 over the season. Despite offers from over a dozen Division I universities, Marin chose Quinnipiac because she was "extremely impressed by the academics and what the University had to offer."

"Jasmine Martin is an electric wing player who can flat out score," said Fabbri. "She can shoot it, drive it or create it! Jasmine adds a completely different dimension to our transition and half court game. She is going to be fun to watch!"

A 5' 10" point guard, currently averaging 10-plus points per game, Gillian (Boo) Abshire (Washington, D.C.) joins Quinnipiac as a successful student-athlete from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. Good Counsel is currently ranked 46^th in the POWERADE FAB 50 ESPN Rise Girls Basketball Rankings. Abshire was named team captain her junior season and was selected to the WCAC All-League and Montgomery County All-County first teams in 2009-10. In 2009, she led Good Counsel to a Waldorf Holiday Hoops Classic Championship as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. In her sophomore season, her team finished the 2008-09 season as WCAC League Champions. Abshire also played for the Maryland Flames U-15 National Team, who placed third at the US Junior Nationals in Washington, D.C. in 2009.

"Gillian (Boo) Abshire is a heady leader, who has great understanding of how the game is to be played," said Fabbri. Boo, in my opinion, competes in one of the best high school basketball leagues in the country. Having great success as a player and a team, against that type of competition, night after night, will help her transition quickly at Quinnipiac. She is a fierce competitor and a masterful passer."

The Bobcats are currently in a three-way tie for first place in the Northeast Conference. Quinnipiac will host Robert Morris on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 12:00 p.m. at the TD Bank Sports Center in Hamden, Conn.