COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Ashley Rainey -- a starter in 16 games for the University of Louisville last season -- has signed with the Lindsey Wilson College women's basketball team for the 2010-11 season, the school announced on Monday.

Rainey averaged 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Cardinals who finished 14-18 overall and 5-11 in BIG EAST Conference action. The freshman shot 47.5 percent from the field and also blocked 17 shots, which ranked third on the team.

The Bowling Green, Ky., native, is very familiar with Lindsey Wilson. Rainey's sister, Ronyeld Shirley, played for the Blue Raiders from 1997 to 2001, scoring 1,293 career points while hauling in a program-record 896 career rebounds.

Rainey's father, Ronald Hamilton, also played at Lindsey Wilson in the mid 70's when the school was a junior college.

That familiarity with the college and the additions to the campus are what led Rainey to her decision to be a Blue Raider.

"When I came to the campus for my visit, I liked everything about it," said Rainey. "My dad and sister played at Lindsey Wilson, but so much has changed around the campus over the years. I was blown away by everything that's been added."

Another strong factor to her decision was the fact that Lindsey Wilson coach John B. Wethington runs a style of play that Rainey says she prefers and is used to from Louisville.

"Lindsey Wilson plays a similar style to how we played at Louisville," added Rainey. "It's an up-tempo offense where every player gets to run the floor. The transition from playing NCAA Division I basketball to the NAIA won't be as intense with the familiar style."

Rainey played four seasons of high school basketball at Warren East in Bowling Green. Rainey led the state in scoring her senior year, averaging 27.3 points, while also averaging 16.0 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, 2.2 steals and 2.2 assists per game.

Rainey was named a Courier-Journal and Lexington Herald Leader First Team All-State selection for three straight seasons. Along the way she set new school records at Warren East with 3,003 career points and 1,419 career rebounds.

Playing prep basketball in Kentucky's Fourth Region, Rainey was named the region's player of the year her sophomore, junior and senior seasons and was also named a Kentucky All-Star.

Being a native of Kentucky, Rainey is familiar with a few of the current Blue Raiders.

"Diondra Anthony played at Warren Central, so we were big rivals back in high school," admitted Rainey. "And Britney Payne was at Franklin-Simpson, another high school in the fourth region, so we all know each other."

Rainey isn't sure what her exact role on next year's team will be, but can't wait to get on campus and get started.

"I'm not sure about my role, but I just want to be accepted by the team and start from there," said Rainey. "I can't wait to play and help them reach the goal of winning a championship."