Radford, Va. -- Radford University's Field Hockey program announced the signing of three student-athletes to national letters-of-intent. They are Meredith Evans (Virginia Beach, Va./Cox HS), Lauren Hebert (Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan HS) and Tiffany Church (Virginia Beach, Va./Tallwood HS). A fourth student-athlete, Kiera Gambeski (St. James, NY/Smithtown HS) has accepted admission to the University and will join the Highlanders as an invited walk on this fall.
"Each of these student-athletes bring a lot of experience to Radford University's Field Hockey program. They played for solid field hockey programs under respected and proven coaches, and because of that experience I'm hopeful they will be able to contribute in their first season," head coach Jeff Woods.
Evans, a forward from Cox High School, was a first team all-district, all-region and all-Tidewater in 2002. She also earned second team all-state honors and led the Beach District in scoring as a senior.
"Although Meredith may play midfield for us, she is very comfortable around the goal and likes to score, so we may need to see her in the forward line this fall."
Hebert will join her sister Erin, who will be entering her senior season as a Highlander, this fall. Last season as a midfielder for Kecoughtan, she was named Peninsula District Player of the Year and earned first team all-Peninsula and all-region. She also was a first team all Press Daily All Star and honorable mention all-state.
"Lauren is a solid defender, who is a proven distributor. With the loss of two senior midfielders and two senior backs, we're expecting her to step in as a mid or a back."
Church, a back, earned second team and honorable mention all-beach as a junior and senior respectively. She also lettered in track and field and soccer while at Tallwood High School.
"With Tiffany's experience as a back in the Beach District and in the USFHA Futures program, she will be able to help shore up our defense right away."
Gambeski played center midfield for a Smithtown team that won the Long Island Class A Championship and went on to the semi-finals of the New York State Field Hockey tournament. She received all tournament honors in the 2002 state playoffs.
The Highlanders return six starters and nine lettermen from the 2002 NorPac East Division Championship team. In 2002, Radford finished 9-11 overall and 4-1 in the Conference, winning the third place game, 2-0 over Pacific, at the NorPac Championships in Stanford, Calif.
