PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State head women's basketball coach Kamie Ethridge continued to fill out her coaching staff Friday afternoon as she announced the hiring of Jackie Nared and Katie Shepard. Nared is the second coach to join Ethridge on the Palouse while Shepard will take over the role of video coordinator for the Cougars.

"It is obvious that I have taken quite a bit of time filling positions on my staff," said Ethridge. "I did that with the intention of hiring the very best recruiters, basketball minds and people who bring a perfect fit into the vision of our Washington State program and University. Jackie and Katie are young and mature coaches who are eager to teach, develop and lead the young women in our program and future players! It is crucial in this day and age of recruiting to stay 'young'. These two coaches are that, but, they are also hungry, kind, driven to be their best and determined to be a part of this Cougar program and help elevate it to new heights."

"It is with great excitement that I am introducing two assistants for our WSU program.  A familiar name in the Northwest and women's basketball, Jackie Nared will be joining my staff in a full-time recruiting position. Jackie brings a wealth of playing experience from her days as a highly recruited high school athlete, successful college career at St Mary's and two years as a professional athlete. Jackie's years as an athlete combined with her professional development while working on staffs that went to a Final Four (Washington) and an Elite Eight (Oregon), gives her a resume full of elite level basketball. I am thrilled to have someone on my staff that is from the Northwest and is very familiar with the Pac-12. Jackie will make an immediate impact in our program on the court and in recruiting!!"

Nared comes to WSU after spending last season at Oregon where she was the Director of Creativity and Video. Charged with creating scout film on Oregon opponents, Nared helped a Duck's coaching staff that led Oregon to it's first-ever Elite Eight. Prior to working at Oregon, Nared spent two years at Washington as the Director of Player Development.

In addition to her work experience in the Pac-12, Nared brings a stellar playing resume to the Cougars. A two-time First Team All-WCC selection, Nared played at and graduated from Saint Mary's College where she dominated the West Coast Conference for the Gaels. In her final two seasons, Nared led the league in scoring averaging 16.6 points per game as a junior and 21.8 points per game as a senior, the sixth-best scoring season in WCC history. In addition to her collegiate excellence, Nared took her abilities overseas where she played in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland and Waregem, Belgium. She would earn Guard of the Year, First Team All-League and Import Player First Team Recognition in her two seasons playing professionally.

"I am excited that Katie Shepard has decided to follow Coach Laurie Koehn and me from Northern Colorado," said Ethridge. "Katie comes to us as our Video Coordinator. It is Katie's loyalty, enthusiasm and commitment to the new direction of women's basketball at Washington State that will pay dividends for our program. Coaches that fill this position on a staff are always the hardest workers and selfless in their attempts to make coaches' jobs easier. Katie Shepard will be that and more for our Cougar program!"

Shepard spent last season on the bench alongside of coach Ethridge as an assistant coach at Northern Colorado. Prior to UNC, Shepard played at Sacred Heart University where she averaged 8.7 points and 5.0 assists per game as a senior. She would graduate with a bachelor's degree before continuing on at her alma mater for graduate school. While working on her master's degree, Shepard spent time coaching high school basketball, getting her first work on the sidelines after four years on the court at Sacred Heart.