MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Barry University women's basketball coach, Bill Sullivan, welcomes five new players for the 2018-19 season.

"We are excited about our incoming class as we have added several high-quality student-athletes who excel both on the court and in the classroom," Sullivan said. "Our new signees include three freshmen, one junior college transfer and one D1 transfer. We are fortunate in that we have been successful in recruiting outstanding players from all over the world. Our five newcomers represent five different countries - Australia, England, Italy, Norway and the USA. "

The class will have their work cut out for them, as the 2017-18 seniors completed the best one-year turnaround in NCAA Division II.

"Five outstanding seniors graduated from last year's team," Sullivan continued, "so we will be relying heavily on our newcomers along with our returners to step into important roles this year. We believe we have assembled a talented group of players and we can't wait to start working with them as we begin to build our 2018-19 Buccaneer team."

Nichel Tampa, Ashliegh Pink and Chiara Fusari join the Buccaneer backcourt, while the front court will be boosted by the addition of Emma Hergot and Carly Sanders.

Tampa is a Buccaneer legacy and the only NCAA Division I transfer in the class. Marques Tampa was a standout on the men's basketball team from 1992-96, playing under former head coach Cesar Odio. The 5-5 sophomore guard spent last season at Western Kentucky. She is a high-energy combo guard with the ability to score and create plays for her teammates. She helped the Hilltoppers to a 24-9 record, playing in 32 games and averaging almost nine minutes as a rookie.

"Nichel has played with and against high-level competition from a very young age so we are confident she will be an impact player for us," Sullivan said. "She has a remarkable skill set and I think Barry fans will be impressed with her quickness, her ball-handling and her decision-making abilities. We are thrilled to welcome Nichel into of our BarryU basketball family."

"After my visit to Barry, I was impressed with their focus on academics as well as basketball," Tampa said. "Everyone was really nice and it helped me picture myself there for the next three years. Most importantly, the basketball program is well developed and I know I'll become a better player under the training of coaches Sullivan and (Brianna) Finch. Also, the fact that my dad is an alum and former player here makes it special for me to be a part of the Barry program. I'm excited for this new chapter."

Hergot is a sophomore transfer from Norway, by way of Broward College. The 6-0 forward is a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions. She helped lead the Seahawks to an 11-19 record, 8-4 in the Southern Conference. She averaged 5.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. She spent the summer playing with the Norwegian national team at the FIBA Women's European Championship for Small Countries.

"Emma is an outstanding student, and a physically-strong athlete who has the ability to play several positions," Sullivan said. "She can score around the basket and is an accurate long-range shooter as well. She is a solid defender, a tough rebounder and we love the competitive energy she brings to our team. We feel Emma is a great addition to our squad."

"I really like the program at Barry, and how they focus on academics as well as basketball," Hergot said. "I also got a very good impression of the coaches and team, and I know the program will help me become a better basketball player. I am looking forward to be a part of the Barry U women's basketball team."

Fusari is a fast, athletic combo guard from Italy. She can finish at the rim as well as connect from three-point range. She played the last two seasons at Techedge Broni in the Italian first division as one of the youngest players in the league. For the U20 national team, she averaged 18.2 points and 6.2 assists.

"Chiara is an athletic scorer who has played at the highest level of basketball in Italy," Sullivan said. "Her International experience will give her an opportunity to contribute to our team at the guard position. We are elated Chiara will be a Barry Buccaneer."

"I chose Barry because I really liked the basketball and the school program," Fusari said "I immediately understood that it could be the right place to grow both as a player and as a person. Talking with the coaches, I got the impression that they are really focused on their goals and it gives me a lot of incentive to improve every day, for the team and for me. I look forward to arriving at Barry and starting this new chapter with my new team."

Pink is an outstanding point guard, who also has the ability to score at need. Like the best at the position, she constantly works to make her teammates better. Playing for Ipswich Basketball Club, she lead them to a perfect 23-0 season, winning the Women's Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL) Championship and making history by taking England's National Cup, becoming the first second division team to do so.  She averaged 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game during the championship season.

"Ashleigh is a smart guard and good things happen when the ball is in her hands," Sullivan said. "For the past two years she led England's elite league (WEABL) in assists averaging nearly 10 assists per game, so she knows how to find open teammates and distribute the ball. We're excited Ashleigh is a member of our basketball family and we're looking forward to seeing her display her skills in a BarryU uniform."

"I've played basketball at the same club from the age of 12," Pink said, "and they have not only been my teammates and coaches, but also my family! So when deciding on the next chapter of my life I wanted a similar set up. I found Barry extremely welcoming from both the players and coaches. The campus offers an intimate friendly atmosphere along with amazing facilities and location which is second to none! I'm excited for the next four years and I am confident that I will grow stronger and better as a player and person being part of the Barry family!"

Sanders is tall, skilled post who can score on all three levels of the offense. She is a strong rebounder with a high work rate. Captain of the Geelong Supercats in Australia's Women's youth League, she averaged 17.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. She was selected as the league's Rising Star in 2017.

"Carly is a gifted, multi-talented player who can score around the basket as well as from 3-point range," Sullivan said. "At 6-2, she brings us much needed height and gives us a strong post presence on both ends of the court. Carly possesses all three of the qualities we look for in our BarryU student-athletes – she's an excellent student, an outstanding player and a wonderful person."

"I was lucky enough to visit Barry University earlier this year and was immediately welcomed by the team, coaches and the broader Barry community," Sanders said. "I was impressed with the strong bond between the players and the team focus. I knew Barry would be a great place to further my basketball game with such a strong program and dedicated coaches as well as having the opportunity to be part of a fantastic academic program. I'm looking forward to starting at Barry and excited by all the possibilities."

The five newcomers join the nine returning players as the Bucs look to continue their improvement from last year.