GOSHEN, Ind. - After working with volleyball coach Jim Routhier to get commitments from two-sport stars Megan Strock and Jamie Stack, Goshen College women's basketball coach Steve Wiktorowski continued to put together his 2011-12 roster with the addition of Sierria Burlage this week.

"We are extremely happy with the signing of Sierria and look at her as one of the cornerstones of our future," Wiktorowski explained.  "Losing four seniors who were our top four scorers this year, it was important that we bring in someone who could make an immediate impact on this team and we believe Sierria can do that on both ends of the floor."

Burlage's standout four-year varsity career at Columbia City High School seems to point directly toward that fact.  Named First Team All Northeast Hoosier Conference all four seasons, the 6-foot forward finished averaged 10.5 points and 9.6 rebounds a game over her career.

"She is very versatile and can probably play three positions with her ability to go both inside and outside," Wiktorowski continued.  "She can score with her back to the basket or facing up, is an outstanding passer and is unselfish to a fault.  She is a good rebounder, especially on the offensive end, which was one of our biggest weaknesses this year.  She is very sound fundamentally, has great awareness on defense and is extremely intelligent."

Having led her team in scoring and rebounding three of her four years as a starter, Burlage was recognized as one of ESPN.com's players to watch in 2011.  Her honors also included being named Athlete of the Week by Fort Wayne newspapers all four years, Athlete of Whitley County all four years, and honorable mention Junior All State Team by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

In addition to her tenure at Columbia City, Burlage has also had an impressive AAU career.  In four years with Indiana's Finest Black Cats, Burlage helped lead the team to three state titles and as high as a seventh-place finish at the division one national tournament.  She has also played for the Spiece Gym Rats Fort Wayne.

"Most of all Sierria is a great teammate who will add to our chemistry with her leadership, communication skills, coachability and positive attitude," Wiktorowski added.

Off the court, Burlage has been a part of the Indiana High School Athletic Association leadership conference and received a Whitley County Certificate of Excellence.

"The reason that I chose Goshen College is because I want to become a nurse," Burlage said after signing her letter of intent.  "Once meeting with Coach Wik (Wiktorowski) and some of my future teammates, I realized that the basketball program would fit me well.  I want a career and also to continue to play basketball at the collegiate level.