Pleasant Hill athlete to play at Avila

Melissa Yount , a senior at Pleasant Hill High School in Pleasant Hill , Missouri will sign a letter of intent at 2:30pm on Friday, April 20 at her high school to continue her academic and basketball careers at Avila University , Kansas City, Missouri .

In averaging 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a senior, Yount led her team to the Missouri Class 4, District 10 title game for the second consecutive season. The 5'-8" point guard and team captain led her conference in assists this year and has been named All-Conference the past two seasons, including first team honors in 2006-2007. She has also been recognized as a KMZU Dream Team performer the last two seasons. Named team MVP this season, Melissa was also named the Defender of the Year on her District Championship team as a junior.

According to Avila Head Coach Larry Williams "We identified Melissa as a special competitor after seeing her play last summer and we are pleased to finally officially add her to our program. She brings a level of athleticism to Avila Women's Basketball that is exactly what we are looking for. A standout in track as well, she is a sectional qualifier in both the 100m & 300m hurdles and went to state as a 4x400m relay team member. The addition of that combination of speed and agility to our team will give us the freedom to increase our pace of play and put a lot of pressure on our opponents at both ends of the floor. She can defend anywhere on the perimeter and is a complete offensive player. She is an excellent passer, but can step up and score when the opportunity presents itself. Melissa has excelled not only at sports, but also in her community. It is exciting for us to have a person of such high caliber join our program."

Melissa has been class president since her freshman year, and has been Academic All-Conference 8 times throughout her high school career (basketball 4 times & track 4 times). She is a member of the National Honor Society and earned 4 academic letters. Undecided on her major at Avila , she is interested in both secondary education and physical therapy.

Avila University competes on the NAIA, Division II level within the prestigious Heart of America Athletic Conference. Avila is a private, co-educational, values-based liberal arts institution founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1917 and is located at 119th and Wornall Road in southwest suburban Kansas City , Missouri .

For more information contact: Avila University Athletics 816-501-3634