The St. Thomas University Tommies women's basketball team has added length and a shooting punch to its backcourt for 2017-18 with the acquisition of Alana Dowling.

Dowling, of Quispamsis, NB, will join the Green and Gold on the hardwood next season after completing a successful high school career with the Kennebecasis Valley High School Crusaders.

"Alana is a great kid with a lot of passion for basketball," Tommies head coach Fred Connors said. "She has a great skill set—she can shoot the ball, she handles the ball well, and she can play multiple positions."

A talented guard, Dowling cracked the KVHS 1000-points club two weeks prior to the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association Final 12, where her Crusaders topped the Riverview Royals to claim their second straight 'AAA' girls title.

Dowling also brings provincial experience to the Tommies' roster—she was a member of the NB U15 Developmental team and the U16 team.

"What I'm most impressed with about Alana is her growth on the defensive end," Connors said. "She's not afraid to be physical and play tough. We're really excited to add her to a deep roster."

Dowling was no stranger to the Tommies' style of play after watching her older sister compete against the Fredericton squad as a member of the UNBSJ Seawolves.

"I watched the STU women's basketball team play for years," Dowling said.  "I watched them at nationals and thought it would be pretty cool to be a part of it. I'm excited to experience university life as an athlete."

She's excited about joining the St. Thomas University community, too.

"I always thought I would stay home and go to university, but an opportunity came up to tour St. Thomas and I instantly fell in love with the school," Dowling said. "I loved the atmosphere and how everyone seemed to know everyone—that's what made me decide I wanted to be a part of it."

The Tommies finished the 2016-17 season with a record of 9-9 and were fourth in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association standings. At playoffs, they defeated the University of King's College Blue Devils in the quarterfinals but fell to the eventual champion Holland College Hurricanes in the semis.