GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Six student-athletes have committed to attend Tusculum College and play soccer for the Pioneers announced TC women's soccer coach Mike Joy on Wednesday. This year's recruiting class features several All-State and All-Region performers, as well as a First Team All-American.

"We have signed a tremendous 2009-10 group of student athletes, said Coach Joy. "We graduated such a talented group of athletes, which makes this signing class the most important class that we have recruited here in some time."

Kayla Durden, a 5-4 forward from Taylor Mill, Ky., starred at Calvary Christian High School in Covington, Ky., where she was a four-year starter for the Cougars. Durden is a three-time honoree on the 18th District All-Tournament Team in addition to garnering National Christian School Athletic Association Girls' Varisty All-America First Team honors during her junior season. During her career at Calvary Christian, Durden scored a total of 55 goals in 60 matches and posted four straight 25-point seasons.

Tramicka James, a 5-4 forward from Wilson, N.C., is a two-time All-State and All-Conference First Team performer, garnering Conference Player of the Year honors as a junior. The 2007 All-State honoree scored 37 goals and tallied 10 assists in her junior season to earn a spot on the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association All-Region First Team. James then went on to post 44 goals and 20 assists in her senior campaign to once again net All-Conference First Team and NCSCA All-Region First Team honors.

Aly Carrino, a 5-2 forward/midfielder from nearby Greeneville High School, has earned All-Conference, All-District, and All-Region honors in her career with the Greene Devils. Carrino recorded 22 goals and eight assists this past season, earning her a spot on both the All-Intermountain Conference and All-District Two teams. The Greeneville native was also named the District 2-AAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2008.

Kennedi Miller, a 5-5 defender from Raleigh, N.C., earned All-Conference and All-Region honors this past season for Cardinal Gibbons High School that posted a sterling 21-1 record. Miller was a member of the Crusaders team which captured the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2-A girls' soccer state championship in 2007.

Taylor Starr, a 5-6 midfielder/forward from Ashburn, Va., was a member of the 2008 State of Virginia AA state championship team from Broad Run High School. The All-State honoree has also played for the Mclean Destiny club team, which won the Washington Area Girls Soccer Tournament U-17 and U-19 Division titles during her time with the club.

Kalsea Mantooth, a 5-6 defender from Cosby, Tenn., was named to the All-District 3-A/AA Second Team this past season from Cosby High School. Mantooth is a multi-sport athlete at Cosby, lettering in softball, basketball, and soccer. The full back was also named the Defensive MVP of her team at Cosby.

"We will look for these players to challenge the starting lineup immediately," said Joy. "We still have to address a few areas of need, but I believe these signees have provided us with the much needed help that we need to challenge for next year's South Atlantic Conference title."

Tusculum finished the 2008 season with a 10-9-1 record en route to its 11th consecutive winning season under the tutelage of Coach Joy. The Pioneers also advanced to the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament for the ninth straight season.

Tusculum College, located