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MISSOULA, MT - In the spring of 2004, Hannah Doran made the trip from her home in Corvallis, Ore., to Missoula to attend Montana's NCAA tournament game against Louisiana Tech at Dahlberg Arena. As one of 7,413 in attendance that Saturday night, she was transfixed.

The electricity of the performance and the athleticism and skill on display were all mesmerizing. Months of hard work and dedicated practice were coming down to this one opportunity to shine in front of a sold-out arena, and Doran was unable to take her eyes off the action.

She thought the game was okay, too.

"I was there with my family. I enjoyed the basketball, but I loved Monte," recalls Doran, who had just turned 11.

Seven years later, Doran has decided to continue her basketball career on that same court. She signed a National Letter of Intent earlier this month and will join the Lady Griz program in the fall.

Doran is currently a senior at Corvallis's Crescent Valley High, a school familiar to Lady Griz fans because it produced two of the best players in program history.

The Raiders-to-Lady Griz pipeline sent both Lauren Cooper (1996-01), a three-time All-Big Sky Conference selection and the No. 6 scorer in program history, and Brooklynn Lorenzen (2000-04), the Montana career leader in assists and the 2004 Big Sky MVP, from Corvallis to Missoula.

Lorenzen was at one time a neighbor of the Dorans in Corvallis and the reason the Doran family was in attendance at the Louisiana Tech game, but it was Doran's three older sisters, all of whom have played or are playing collegiately, that were the reason she is able to follow in Lorenzen's footsteps.

The oldest Doran daughter, Elizabeth, played at Santa Clara from 2005-06 to 2008-09 and was a starter for the Broncos as a junior and senior, Emily finished up her four-year career at Idaho in March, and Molly will be entering her junior season at Southern Oregon in the fall.

"When I was little I went to their games, and I just was always around basketball," says Doran. "Being the youngest of four girls, I started to play at a young age, and that has benefitted me in the long run.

"The most important thing I learned from them is to enjoy the game and work at it as hard as you can."

Craig Ellingson coached girls' basketball at Crescent Valley High for 18 years in the 80s and 90s before moving into the school's athletic director position. He coached Cooper and Lorenzen, then watched the three older Doran sisters from the bleachers.

Ellingson returned to the bench for the 2009-10 season and coached Hannah Doran her last two seasons with the Raiders.

"I think it's great to see another one of our players going to Montana," says Ellingson. "Lauren and Brooklynn both had great experiences and really enjoyed the basketball community there.

"Hannah is very aware of what she is joining and is very excited to experience that.

"The Dorans are a basketball family. It's their passion, and it has been for their entire lives. It's a very close-knit family, which is why I think the girls are such great teammates and great people."

A 5-11 forward, Doran, who has a 4.0 GPA, capped her four years on the CVHS varsity by leading the Raiders to a third-place finish at the Class 5A state tournament in March and earning all-tournament honors.

She was named first-team All-Mid-Willamette Valley League and second-team Class 5A all-state after averaging 21 points and 7 rebounds per game as a senior.

The Montana coaching staff, which signed Haley Vining of Great Falls, Mont., to a National Letter of Intent during November's early signing period, was looking for a perimeter player with size during its spring recruiting.

"More and more a lot of (college) decisions are made early, but a lot of kids still wait and sign in the spring," Lady Griz coach Robin Selvig said.

"We feel fortunate that Hannah was still out there. She played for an outstanding coach who provides his players a great basketball background.

"We got a chance to watch Hannah play in Phoenix (in April) and were really impressed. I would call Hannah a size perimeter player. She has handling skills, she's a good passer, and she can score it.

"She's one of those players who can be versatile for you and play different positions, and watching her play this spring, it looks to me like she has really good defensive instincts.

"We're excited about her. We think this is a really good signing."

Doran experienced Lady Griz basketball firsthand at the Louisiana Tech game. Then over the years her sisters passed down word of the Montana program after facing the Lady Griz on the court.

Elizabeth and Santa Clara played Montana during her freshman and sophomore seasons, and Emily and Idaho faced the Lady Griz each of her four years with the Vandals.

"My sisters all said that Montana was one of their favorite teams to play against and that they highly respected them," says Doran.

"My high school coach recommended Montana because his previous players fit in so well there. When I visited (in April) I found out why. There is a great family atmosphere and tradition.

"I am lucky to have the opportunity to be coached by one of the most successful women's basketball staffs ever and play in front of a community that gives so much support."

Doran's signing gives Montana 11 players for 2011-12. The roster, which isn't necessarily set at 11, has undergone significant changes from last year's edition that had 15.

The Lady Griz lost six players from the team that won the Big Sky Conference tournament in March and advanced to the program's 19th NCAA tournament.

Seniors Sarah Ena, Jessa Loman Linford and Stephanie Stender graduated, as did fourth-year junior Misty Atkinson.

True freshman Lexie Nelson is transferring, and third-year sophomore Ashley Ferda has decided to end her playing career because of an ongoing leg injury.

Six letterwinners will return in 2011-12, three with starting experience, and freshmen Kellie Cole and Carly Selvig will be coming off redshirt seasons.

To his group of returning players, Selvig will add Vining and Doran.