April 30, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The growth of the Winston-Salem State University women's tennis program continued, Monday when WSSU tennis head coach Charlie Schoderbek announced the signing of the first of many prospects for the 2007-08 season.

Laken Joyce, daughter of Dane and Wendy Joyce (Sandy Ridge, NC) will join the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams this fall and will look to continue her stellar career at the collegiate level. A two-sport athlete at North Stokes High School, Joyce is a highly decorated athlete in both tennis and basketball. She earned four letters in both tennis and basketball. She racked up a 14-2 singles  record as a high school senior as well as a 14-2 doubles record. She has been a part of the North Carolina Individual and Dual team High School State playoffs numerous times and was a member of back-to-back state champions in each division. She was also both an All-State and All-Conference selection three times during her career and was named team MVP as a senior.

"Her high school career will serve her well as she transitions to the strong Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference," WSSU head coach Charlie Schoderbek said of the team's first signee of the spring. "She will definitely help in the lineup with her ability and experience. I am excited to have a local young lady with Laken's skills coming to WSSU. She has opened the door for others to follow. With prospects of this caliber, the Women's tennis program will be on the rise I'm sure"

She will be welcomed on a Lady Ram team that lost two seniors this season. For additional information on WSSU women's tennis or to arrange interviews with WSSU student-athletes, athletic administrators or coaches, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com