Gardner-Webb Women's Basketball Signs Three to NLI
November 18, 2013 | Women's Basketball
The Runnin' Bulldogs added Celia Tibbs (Kernersville, N.C. / Winston-Salem Prep), Alexus Hill (Whitakers, N.C. / Northern Nash HS) and Gerda Paulauskaite (Telsaiai, Lithuania / Hamilton Heights Christian Academy) during the early signing period.
"We are very pleased with our 2014 class," said Reeves. "We not only signed three players we feel like are going to make an impact on our program, but we feel we added three outstanding people who fit into our beliefs and culture here at Gardner-Webb University."
Tibbs is a 6-foot-2 post player who averaged more than eight rebounds and nearly three blocks per game as a junior.
"I am very excited to be a part of the Bulldog family," Tibbs said. "I feel like I will fit in well with the team and contribute to a successful season next year and beyond.
"We are so pleased that Celia is joining our program," said Reeves. "She is a player whose best basketball is ahead of her and someone we really think is a diamond in the rough. With her work ethic and skill set, she has the chance to have an outstanding career for us."
Hill enters her senior season at Northern Nash as a three-time All-Conference performer and All-State Co-MVP. The combo guard is a cousin of former Gardner-Webb standouts Dominique and Monique Hudson.
"I'm very excited to be joining such a tight-knit family," said Hill. "I love the girls and the coaching staff and I'm very excited that I'm finally a Gardner-Webb Bulldog!"
"Dominque and Monique had great careers here in their own rights, but Alexus is a great player who has a chance to make a name for herself," said Reeves. "She is a multi-dimensional player who can do a lot of different things on the court and we are really excited to have her joining our family."
Paulauskaite, a 6-foot-4 post player, is in her second season playing at Hamilton Heights in Chattanooga, Tenn.
"I am very excited about the opportunity at Gardner-Webb to continue my education and play basketball," said Paulauskaite.
Still adjusting to the American style of play, Paulauskaite has shown flashes of skill that remind Reeves of several other Lithuanians that have come through the program in the past.
"We have had some great Lithuanians come through this program and we think Gerda will make that same kind of impact that Sandra Vaitkute and Laura Povilonyte did," stated Reeves. "She has tremendous upside and while she is still developing to the style of play in America, she is a player we are really excited about."
Gardner-Webb (3-0) plays its fourth home game in a row on Tuesday, hosting Appalachian State at 5:30 in Paul Porter Arena. The game will air live on WGWG-FM (88.3 / wgwg.org) and the Big South Network.
