GU women sign inside tandem

Gonzaga opened the 2012-13 women’s basketball season with two of the better guards in the West Coast Conference, preseason all-conference selections Taelor Karr and Haiden Palmer.

The Bulldogs announced Wednesday that their 2013-14 team will inherit power inside, with the signing to national letters of intent of 6-foot-5 center Emma Wolfram and 6-1 forward Bayli McClard.

McClard, who originally gave an oral commitment to Fresno State, averaged 18.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 3.0 assists last season at Hanford (Calif.) High and was named West Yosemite League Most Valuable Player.

Wolfram averaged 28 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocked shots last season while leading South Kamloops High to the British Columbia provincial championship. Her high school coach is Ken Olynyk, father of Gonzaga men’s player Kelly Olynyk.

“I’m excited when I think about our future and with Emma and Bayli, that future is bright,” GU coach Kelly Graves said. “I am honored that two individuals of this caliber are going to be part of our Zag family.”

• Eastern Washington coach Wendy Schuller announced the signing of four players, including guard Jade Redmon, who averaged 14.6 ppg during her junior season at Mead High.

The Eagles also signed 5-9 guard Bethany Montgomery of Tacoma, 6-0 forward Haley Shaner of Sacramento, Calif., and 6-3 center Marly Anderson of Hillsboro, Ore.

Volleyball

Washington State coach Jen Greeny announced the signing of 5-7 defensive specialist Taylor Ellingsen of Mead High; 6-2 outside hitter Emmy Allen and 5-11 setter Haley MacDonald of Jackson (Wash.) High; 6-0 outside hitter Hailey Bethune of Stockton, Calif.; 6-1 outside hitter Kyra Holt of Hercules, Calif.; and 5-7 defensive specialist Tani Stephens of Albany, Ore.