RADFORD, Va. – Third-year head coach Tajama Abraham Ngongba announced that five student-athletes, four from North Carolina, have signed National Letters of Intent to play women's basketball at Radford University.

Ayana Avery (Cleveland, N.C./West Rowan), Jordynn Gaymon (Indian Trail, N.C./Sun Valley), Ashia Holmes (Salisbury, N.C./Salisbury), Kiera McIvor (Greensboro, N.C./James B. Dudley) and Dominique Powell (Washington, D.C./Archbishop Carroll) will join the Highlanders next fall and be members of the class of 2015.

“This is a great group of ladies that understand the importance of being a student-athlete and the expectations of being a Highlander,” said Ngongba. “It is a very talented class with a lot of different scoring looks that will definitely add to our ability of being competitive.”

Ayana Avery
5-5, Guard
Cleveland, N.C./West Rowan HS

Ngongba on Avery: “Ayana is a solid point guard with the ability to light it up from beyond the arc. Her long range threat will help us stretch defenses and create scoring opportunities for her teammates.”

Three-year starter, earning all-county and all-conference honors all three seasons… Was an all-state selection as a sophomore… Holds the single-game school record for points (42) and reached the 1,000-point milestone during her junior season… Led her county in scoring as a freshman.

Jordynn Gaymon
6-1, Forward
Indian Trail, N.C./Sun Valley HS

Ngongba on Gaymon: “Jordynn is an athletic post player who is a strong rebounder and can be a strong scoring presence on the inside.”

Sun Valley High School's Team MVP as a junior… Two-time All-Southern Carolina conference selection and led Union County in rebounding her junior campaign… Member of the Carolina Silver Dynasy, Georgia 76ers and NC Flight AAU squads.

Ashia Holmes
5-8, Guard
Salisbury, N.C./Salisbury

Ngongba on Holmes: “Ashia is a very versatile player who can do a little bit of everything on the court. Along with playing multiple positions, she has great defensive intensity and really understands how to win.”

Garnered several post-season awards which include all-county, all-conference and all-region selections… Named team's top defensive player last season… Helped Salisbury to a pair of state championships... Salisbury Scholar-Athlete.

Kiera McIvor
5-9, Guard
Greensboro, N.C./Dudley HS

Ngongba on McIvor: “A true game changer. Kiera has the ability to step on the court and change the game positively. She is a tremendous defender and rebounder from the guard spot.”

Four-year member of the Dudley Panthers… Team captain as a junior and senior… Has helped Dudley to a 3A state championship in 2009 which was the first for the program and a high school from Greensboro… Also was a member of the Dudley's two conference championships, three sectional finals and two regional appearances… Co-MVP of the 2007 Junior Adidas Camp… Currently a dual enrollment student, completing her first year of college courses and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Dominique Powell
6-2, Center
Washington, D.C./Archbishop Carroll HS

Ngongba on Powell: “Dominique is another athletic post player. We will look to her to be a future enforcer in the paint. Her big wing span will give her an advantage in scoring, rebounding and defending on the inside.”

Four-year member of the Lions under the direction of Edythe White… Averaged a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds as a junior… Most Outstanding player as a freshman, team MVP as a sophomore and garnered the coach's award last season… MVP of the Maryland Ruff Riders AAU squad.

“This class is a good group of people,” said Ngongba. “I'm excited that they are coming into our basketball family.”