MOSCOW, Idaho - After seven victories in 2000-01, the University of Idaho women's basketball program was indeed a building project. It has not taken coach Mike Divilbiss long to begin that process as he announced the signing of three players to national letters-of-intent for the 2002-03 season.

Autumn Fielding, Michelle Mickle and Breann Sitton have signed letters to become the Vandal class of 2006. All three committed to the Vandals during the early signing period, which started Nov. 14.

"All of these players have been successful in high school, are used to high expectations and have played for coaches that demanded a lot from them," Divilbiss said. "This is a very good first full class since we didn't have much time to recruit after I was hired in the spring."

There was one trait that Divilbiss recognized in the all three players, which will make his job of resurrecting the UI program a bit easier.

"All three see our vision for this program," Divilbiss said. "They see where we are going to take Vandal basketball. It's a special player that can see that vision and it says volumes about them as individuals. They are putting a tremendous amount of trust in us."

The Vandals are signing two wing players and one post in an effort to offset the six seniors leaving the program after this season. Idaho will also have three transfer players eligible next season.

Autumn Fielding is a wing from Kennewick, Wash., who has ties to the UI program already. Fielding played for current UI assistant coach Debbie Roueche at Kennewick High School where Roueche was the head coach before joining Divilbiss' staff.

Fielding was a first-team all-Big 9 Conference selection her junior season as well as earning second-team all-state accolades. She was chosen to the all-tournament team at the Washington 4A state tournament last season when KHS reached the semifinals. Fielding averaged 13 points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists per game.

As a sophomore, Fielding started for Kennewick's undefeated state championship team. All told, Fielding helped KHS to a 56-game unbeaten streak from 1999-2000 to 2000-01.

"Autumn is like family after playing for coach Roueche," Divilbiss said. "We're really excited to sign her because she is a fierce competitor. The bigger the game, the better she gets.

"She is a tremendous defender, which is something we've always had in our system. We've had that perimeter player that takes great pride in her 'D' and she will fill that role for us."

Joining Fielding is Michelle Mickle, a 6-0 wing player from Ephrata, Wash. Mickle played at Ephrata High School where Divilbiss likes the inside-outside game she displayed.

"Michelle can face the basket and step outside or go inside and post a player up," Divilbiss said. "She is one of the best players in the state. Once she gets stronger physically she could fill a role as a '3' or a '4' which is a key role in our system."

Mickle was a first-team all-league and all-state player in 2000-01 when EHS advanced to the Washington 2A state final. That followed a 1999-2000 campaign in which Ephrata won the 2A title and Mickle was chosen to the state honorable mention squad.

Rounding out the class is 6-4 post Breann Sitton from Brush Prairie, Wash. Sitton will re-team with Fielding after the two played together on a club team this past summer. Sitton may have the most impressive credentials of the group after winning most valuable player honors at two Oregon City, Ore., tournaments this past summer. Both are considered among the most prestigious events in the Western United States.

"Breann has come on and was the top player at some big-time events," Divilbiss said. "She plays well with her back to the basket and she runs the floor well. In our system, a post has to run well. Breann's athletic and can do that."

Sitton played on Prairie High School's team that placed third at the 4A state tournament. She also averaged 10 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots per game at the End of the Oregon Trail High School tournament and End of the Oregon Trail All-Star events where she was chosen MVP.

Divilbiss has no doubts on the impact the three players will have for UI next season.

"All show up in big games," Divilbiss said. "They are going to come in and challenge for time right out of the gates. There's no question in my mind they'll all be very good."

The fall signing period lasts from Nov. 14 until Nov. 21. There is also a late signing period that is conducted from April 10 until May 15.