DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team has signed three high school student-athletes, Maggie Bair (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Sarah Beth Gueldner (Olathe, Kan.) and Taylor McAulay (Lino Lakes, Minn.) to National Letters of Intent for the 2019-20 season, head coach Jennie Baranczyk announced Wednesday, Nov. 14.

"We are thrilled to add these three women to our program," Baranczyk said. "Not only are they talented but each bring their own individual skill sets and will continue to enhance our culture. All three are just the perfect fit."

Bair, a 6-3 power forward, from Glen Ellyn, Ill., helped lead Glenbard South High School to a third-place finish at the 2018 Illinois Class 3A State Championship. She was named to the 2018 All-USA Illinois Girls Basketball Second Team along with being selected all-conference for the third-straight season. Bair, who also played volleyball at Glenbard, added all-region honors her junior season.
 
"Maggie is long, athletic and versatile," Baranczyk said. "She can score in a variety of ways.  She is a great leader that makes people around her better. On a personal note it has been great working with her high school coach (Morgan Kasperek) that was a former teammate of mine in college."
 
Gueldner is a 5-9 guard from Olathe, Kan., who plays for Olathe Northwest High School. She is a three-year starter for the Ravens and is already the school's career points leader. As a junior, Gueldner, who earned first team all-state and all-conference honors, set the school record for points in a season with 429 and three-pointers in a season with 48. Her father, Jeff, played basketball at the University of Kansas, where her older sister, Cameron is on the cross country and track and field teams.
 
"Sarah Beth is a guard that can shoot, has a high basketball IQ and has great court vision," Baranczyk said. "She understands the game of basketball and knows how to win."
 
The final member of the 2019-20 class is McAulay, a 5-11 guard, from Lino Lakes, Minn. She is a three-year letterwinner for Centennial High School. McAulay was selected to the 2018 Minnesota Class 4A All-State team by the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association. She is a three-time North Suburban All-Conference selection.
 
"Taylor is another guard that can shoot, is a versatile scorer and a true competitor," Baranczyk said. "She is a fearless guard that is willing to make big plays when the game is on the line."
 
What They Are Saying About The 2019-20 Drake women's basketball signees…
"Taylor is going to be a great fit at Drake. She is an outstanding shooter and scorer and will fit Drake's system. Taylor has improved so dramatically over the last couple of years with her ability to finish with contact around the basket. The sky is the limit to how much better she can get in the next four years. I believe that Drake got an absolute steal as she out performed many players this past summer who are going to some big-time programs."
Nick Storm, Minnesota Fury Coach
 
"Taylor is a crafty lefty, who can slither in and out of tight spaces, finish at the rim and get out and run on the wing. Most importantly she is an awesome teammate. She has put in the work and has great family support. Taylor will be a great addition to Drake and we're so excited for her college career and it will be fun to watch her."
Jill Becken, Centennial High School Head Coach
 
"Maggie is a great person, student and player who has great character. On the court, she can hit the three, put it on the floor or post up when she needs to. I am so excited for her to be at Drake and it means even more to me sending her to play for Jennie who I know so well from our time together at Iowa."
Morgan Kasperek, Glenbard South High School Head Coach
 
"We are so excited for Maggie to sign with Drake. I have known Maggie and her family forever and they are great people. Maggie's resume is exceptional on-and-off the court, but who she is off the court is most impressive. We're so proud of her and know that she will leave the same lasting legacy at Drake as she has with our program and to the younger girls. Maggie will be a great representative of Drake women's basketball."
Brandon Ruggles, Illinois Mercury Coach
 
"Sarah Beth is a great shooter, but most importantly she is a great person and even better teammate who has a great and supportive family. She is an excellent student who exemplifies the quality traits we want from and teach our players in our program. Sarah Beth will bring all of that to Drake and we're excited to have another player at Drake."
Gary Brown, Kansas Eclipse
 
"Sarah Beth will begin her senior season as the Olathe Northwest's all-time leading scorer and only 31 points away from eclipsing the 1,000-point mark. Sarah Beth has a sweet stroke from deep with one of the best mid-range games I have seen in 22 years of coaching boys and girls basketball. Honestly, I prefer layups & three-pointers, but her mid-range is as good as a layup. Because Sarah Beth can score from so many places, she is tough to guard. If you play her tight, she is crafty enough to draw fouls and shoot 90 percent from the free-throw line. She really enjoys her teammates and I believe she will blend in very well with the Bulldogs on and off the court next season."                           
Joel Brandtrom, Olathe Northwest High School Head Coach