February 5, 1999

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina women's soccer program raided the soccer-rich states of California and Texas on Wednesday to put together one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. Coach Anson Dorrance announced the signing of five high school seniors to grant-in-aids. The five players will enroll at the University in August of 1999.

The group includes:

Elizabeth Ball, a midfielder/striker from Dallas, Texas. She attends High Park High School and is the daughter of Daniel and Susan Ball.

Jennifer "Jenni" Branam, a goalkeeper from Placentia, Calif. She attends El Dorado High School and is the daughter of Bryant and Karen Branam.

Susan Bush, a striker from Houston, Texas. She attends St. John's High School and is the daughter of Gary and Nancy Bush.

Kim Patrick, a striker from Pleasanton, Calif. She attends Foothill High School and is the daughter of Patricia Patrick.

Jordan Walker, a midfielder from Richardson, Texas. She attends Ursuline Academy of Dallas and is the daughter of Randy and Kathryn Walker.

"We are thrilled with this class," said Tar Heel head coach Anson Dorrance. "They are all outstanding students and wonderful young women. We had some specifics needs because of our graduation losses this year and attracting five players of this calibre to Chapel Hill will go a long way in helping to fill the holes in our lineup next year."

Carolina was 25-1 last year, reaching the NCAA final before suffering its only loss of the year. The Tar Heels also claimed their 10th straight Atlantic Coast Conference championship in 1998. Gone from last year's team will be consensus National Player of the Year Cindy Parlow, a forward, as well as All-America midfielder Tiffany Roberts and All-America goalkeeper Siri Mullinix. The fourth member of the senior class was forward Rakel Karvelsson, the highest scoring non-starting player in ACC history.