CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois women's basketball coach Matt Bollant has hit the ground running as he has signed two players during his first week on the job. Bollant signed guard Karle Pace and post player Grace McRae.

Pace is a guard from Clarksville, Tenn., where she played for coach Justin Woods at Rossview High School.  Pace was a four-time All-Area selection as she led her team to three straight District 10 regular season and tournament titles.  As a freshman she helped Rossview make its first Tennessee Class 3A State Tournament appearance as she knocked down a pair of 3-pointers late in the game.  At 5'8" she has played both guard positions averaging 14.4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 rebounds per game as a senior.  She ended her four-year career with a 101-29 record including a 53-3 record in conference games.

"Karle is an explosive combo guard that can score in a variety of ways.  She played for a really good high school coach in Justin Woods and played against some great competition in Tennessee," said Bollant.  "What I love most about her is that she seems to be really clutch when the game is on the line."

McRae is from Melbourne, Australia where she has played for a variety of club teams including the Southern Pen Sharks.  McRae represented her region playing for Country Victoria in the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup where she competed for the U16 and U18 divisions.  This past year she was the top scorer and rebounder for her club team averaging 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.  She was instrumental in her team finishing second at the ACJBC this past year. 

"Grace is a highly skilled post player.  She is physical and a very good rebounder," added Bollant.  "She has played against really good competition for several years and has a really well-rounded game.  We're excited to welcome her to the Eastern family and believe that she will be an impact player very quickly for us."