LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In addressing team needs in her latest recruiting class, Bellarmine University Women's Basketball Coach Chancellor Dugan quite literally pursued players who could see eye-to-eye with her.

A former standout post player in college, Dugan has beefed up her frontcourt with the signings of 6-foot-3 center Liza Tibbs of Dixie Heights (Ky.) High School and 6-2 forward Ally Mayhaus of Holy Cross (Ky.) High School. Currently, the Knights have no active players above 6-1 on their roster and only two active members who reach 6-0.

"These two will make an impact and address our lack of size," Dugan said. "Liza is very skilled and fundamentally sound, and she hasn't reached her ceiling yet. She will be a great four-year player here at Bellarmine. Liza comes from a basketball family — her sister Lauren plays for Marquette. 

"Ally is a left-handed post player who knows how to use her body to get her shot. She is also a very good passer. Ally, like Liza, hasn't reached her ceiling and will be a great four-year player at Bellarmine."

Tibbs averaged approximately 17 points and 10 rebounds last season for Dixie Heights, including a 41-point, 14-rebound effort in one outing. Because of performances such as that one, Dixie Heights Coach Tara Smith said Tibbs "has the ability to dominate a game."

"Liza is a huge part of every offensive game plan," Smith said. "We run the offense through her. She has that ability and she accepts that responsibility.

"She's worked really hard on her game. Skill-wise, she can play with her back to the basket and she can face up a little bit. I definitely think she can help (Bellarmine) right away."

On one of her visits to Bellarmine, Tibbs accompanied the team on a trip to a haunted house.

"It was pretty scary," she said, laughing. "I was nervous about meeting the team, but it was really cool. They accepted me right away. They were nice and welcoming. We clicked.

"I love where Bellarmine is located in Louisville, I love that it's close to home and obviously the coaches and the team were a big part of my decision, too."

Mayhaus is the reigning Most Valuable Player of the 35th District, a two-time Northern Kentucky All-Conference selection and has been tabbed Player of the Week by the Cincinnati Enquirer. Through her junior season at Holy Cross, Mayhaus has accumulated 752 points, 560 rebounds, 154 blocks, 96 steals and 76 assists.

"Ally is one of the primary reasons for our program's resurgence," Holy Cross Coach Kes Murphy said. "Ally is an outstanding student-athlete and is the type of player that every coach would like to have as a part of their program. Ally has somewhat of a European game, whereas she has a great feel for the game as well as great vision, she's very effective playing with her back to the basket, she's a very good passer and she shoots a high percentage from the perimeter. Of all her skills, I think most will love the toughness and fight she brings.

"It has been awesome to watch Ally develop over the last four years and the Holy Cross family is excited for what lies ahead for Ally," Murphy continued. "However, it's bittersweet because we're losing a great one."

One of the biggest impressions the Bellarmine program made on Mayhaus occurred when she observed a practice. She immediately believed Knights Hall was a place she could be comfortable in over her future collegiate career.

"I'm blessed that I got the offer," Mayhaus said. "I loved the atmosphere, my interaction with the girls and how Coach Dugan interacts with the girls. They're allowed to be themselves."