Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raider Soccer Inks Six on National Signing Day
February 02, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Feb. 2, 2011
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech head soccer coach Tom Stone has announced the signing of six student-athletes, highlighted by two players with U.S. Youth National Team experience, to National Letters of Intent to attend Texas Tech in the fall of 2011. In addition, one student-athlete already signed a financial aid agreement and enrolled at Tech in January.
"This certainly has the potential to be a very special class," Stone said. "We have addressed some specific needs that will help us continue on our path of successful development of the program. Speed is a common thread that runs through this class and each player has demonstrated a very high level of competitiveness while observing them over the last two years."
The signees are the third full class under Stone, who in 2010 led Texas Tech to its most successful season in 14 years, and qualified for its fourth-straight Big 12 Championship.
With that success, Stone has signed yet another successful recruiting class with student-athletes from Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado who have played at the top club level and on USA National teams.
"We pretty much stayed in Texas and the region with this class and we could not be happier with the overall talent in this group. All seven could step in and help us immediately," stated Stone.
Among the seven newcomers is Cheyenne Diggs (Durant, Okla.), who signed a financial aid agreement and enrolled at Texas Tech in January. The other six student-athletes include Jaelene Hinkle (Denver, Colo.), Erin Inman (Austin, Texas), Bridgett Jenkins (Keller, Texas), Taylor Narvaiz (Lubbock, Texas), Paige Strahan (Odessa, Texas) and Jackie Strug (Plano, Texas).
2011 Texas Tech Soccer Signee Bios _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Jaelene Hinkle
Defender
Denver, Colorado
Real Colorado
Club Experience
Member of Real Colorado for four years ... team captain 2010-11 season... team was state champions in 2007.
ODP
Member of the ODP team that went to regionals in 2006.
National Team
2010 member of U17 National Team Player Pool, Team USA U17 WC Qualifying, and U17 National Team matches - Dallas Cup vs. Brazil ... invited to 2011 U20 National Team Camp.
High School
Attends Valor Christian High School ... 2010 Parade All-American ... ... Pioneer League Top Scorer in 2010 ... Pioneer League Player of the Year in 2009 ... first team all-conference in 2009 and 2010 ... first team all-state and All-Colorado team in 2009 and 2010 by Denver Post ... named Defensive Player of the Year of her basketball team in 2008.
Personal
Born May 28, 1993, to parents Cornell and Betsey Hinkle ... has an older brother, Jeffrey, an older sister, Jordan, and a younger brother, Jamal ... Jordan played two years of soccer at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan. ... was Summa Cum Laude in 2007 and 2011 and Cum Laude in 2008, 2009, 2010.
Head Coach Tom Stone on Jaelene Hinkle - "Jae is a unique and special player, in that she possess all the necessary attributes for a high level defender but also has all the tools to attack out of the back and be a threat in the offensive side of the field. Jae's technical ability is of the highest caliber for a youth player and her willingness to fly forward and be dynamic on the flank will suit our system of play to a T. Domestically, we don't see a lot of true attacking defenders with all the tools Jae has so we are really looking forward to seeing her in the Red and Black. A natural lefty, Jae's selection to the U17 and U20 National Teams is a testament to the high standard of her play. The first time Jae picks up the ball and comes flying out of the back, our fans will be on their feet. The other thing we love about Jaelene is that she comes from such a competitive environment in the Real Colorado program. James Harris and the DOC, Lorne Donaldson, do a great job preparing their kids for the college game and most of them are ready to step in and contribute right away as freshmen. Off the field, we are thrilled with the quality of character Jaelene brings to the program. She is an excellent student and a wonderful young lady who we are proud to have represent our young Red Raider program on and off the field." _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Erin Inman
Midfielder
Austin, Texas
Lonestar Soccer Club
Club Experience
Team captain since 2009 ... team is currently ranked fourth in the nation ... team is ranked fourth in the Elite Club National League and third in the STYSA Premier League West during 2010-11 season ... 2010 South Texas State Champions and 2010 Regional semi-finalists ... 2008 South Texas State Champions and Region III Champions ... team placed third in USYS National Championship series in 2008.
ODP
U18 National Camp in Carson, Calif., in 2010 ... member of the 2009 Region III team ... attended the 2010 Portugal Algarve Cup Invitational ... participated in the 2009 Thanksgiving Regional ODP team even in Florida ... member of ODP State Team from 2006-10 ... ranked in the top 20 (No. 12) in the state of Texas by Top Drawer Soccer.
High School
Attends McNeil High School ... team was 2009/2010 District Champions and regional quarterfinalist with a record of 23-1-2 ... named 2009 and 2010 first team all-district ... awarded 2009/2010 all-district Academic Team ... given Academic Achievement Award in 2008 for a 4.0.
Personal
Born May 12, 1993, to Robert and Sherri Inman ... mother is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and father graduated from Prairie View A&M ... will pursue a career in nursing.
Head Coach Tom Stone on Erin Inman - "A tremendous talent out of Austin, Texas, and the nationally acclaimed Lonestar Soccer Club. We saw Erin three years ago and jumped all over the chance to recruit her to Texas Tech. Skill, range and soccer savvy describe the attractive side of her game, but Erin also has bite and tenacity that will give her a great presence in our midfield. Erin's time spent with the U18 National Team benefitted her game, in that she saw the next level and knows what it takes to get there now. We are excited that she will bring those lessons and a winner's mentality to Lubbock this fall. Off the field, Erin is also exactly what we are looking for in terms of character and being the consummate `student-athlete'. She is as good in the classroom as she is in the field. This is a young leader who will step in right away and contribute to our 2011 season." _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Cheyenne Diggs
Defender
Durant, Okla
D'Feeters Soccer Club
Club Experience
Member of D'Feeters Soccer Club for 2010 ... played for FC Dallas Red in 2009 ... played for Texas Football Club, formerly Everton, and Texas Spurs from 2004-2009... traveled to Europe for the Youth World Cup finals with Texas Football Club.
High School Experience
Attended Durant High School ... four-year varsity letterwinner ... all-district 2008-09 and 2009-10 ... team Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 ... was team MVP in 2009 ... named All-District Alternate 2007-08... Academic All-State in 2010 ... was team captain from 2008-10.
Personal
Born April 25, 1993, to parents Mike and Sonya Diggs ... has a younger sister, Callie ... majoring in pre-physical therapy.
Head Coach Tom Stone on Cheyenne Diggs - "When you think shut down corner in football, think Cheyenne Diggs. Cheyenne is one of the most committed, fast and physical defenders we saw this year. Cheyenne graduated early so she could join us this spring and be prepared for the 2011 season. Her first day in fitness was an impressive display. Most new players find the fitness aspect of the college game a huge hurdle, but Cheyenne was near the front of every exercise we threw at her and will benefit greatly from her decision to spend the spring with us before her freshman year. We went to see Cheyenne after a phone call from a great former college defender, Dawn Crow, in Dallas. She called to say she had a kid out of Durant, Oklahoma, that she felt would be a perfect fit for us. Dawn was right and we are looking forward to working with Cheyenne this spring and seeing her compete for a spot next fall with the rest of this class." _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Jackie Strug
Defender/Midfielder
Plano, Texas
D'Feeters Soccer Club
Club Experience
Member of the D'Feeters '93 team since 2007... North Texas State Cup Champions in 2007 ... team took second place in Region III in 2007 ... 2010 Region III Champions and third place at US Youth Soccer National Championship.
High School
Attends Plano Senior High School ... three-year member of the varsity team ... member of the All-Freshmen team ... named team captain and MVP as a junior.
Personal
Born December 26, 1992, to parents Joan and Allen Strug.
Head Coach Tom Stone on Jackie Strug - "Jackie is a tenacious defender who will primarily be utilized at outside back. Jackie combines the technical ability to get forward and strikes a ball very well with both feet so she will fit in nicely without system of play. Jackie is a product of the D'feeters Soccer Club and head coach, David Pfeil. David's teams are possession oriented and he develops players who can think and play, but what stands out about this D'feeters team is the passion for winning they play with. Jackie has been an integral part of the culture of that team and we are excited that she will bring that mentality with her to our squad. Jackie's team was top four in the nation last year so she has had tremendous experience at the highest levels of youth soccer and will be ready for the college game after another summer of high level play." _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Bridgett Jenkins
Defender
Keller, Texas
Dallas Sting Blue
Club Experience
Defender for Dallas Sting Blue `93 of Lake Highlands Division I.
High School
Attends Keller High School ... named team captain ... member of 2010 5-5A Bi-District Champions, 5-5A Area Champions and was named All-District 5-5A Defender ... named team Defensive MVP and Fort Worth Star-Telegram Player of the Week ... member of the track team ... holds the school 400 meter record ... 2008 5-5A Regional Finalist 400 meter and regional qualifier 4x200m relay and 4x400m relay ... 2009 5-5A regional qualifier 4x200 relay and 4x400 relay.
Personal
Born March 23, 1993, to parents Howard Jenkins and Heidi Palazzo ... has an older sister, Brittany, and younger sister, Brooke ... father ran track for the University Texas at Arlington ... member and volunteer at Gateway Church ... plans to major in business administration.
Head Coach Tom Stone on Bridgett Jenkins - "Our entire staff has been excited to get Bridgett on campus since she committed to us last summer. Bridgett is a real find, in that she did not take the traditional route to Big 12 soccer. We were mostly looking at 2012's last summer at the Challenge Shootout but a good friend, Ben Waldrum, from Sting called us to say that he had just added a really good player to his `93 team and that we needed to come see her. One half of one game was all it took to see the potential of this young lady. Speed, strength (track star in high school) and a surprising technical composure on the ball are attributes that will serve Bridgett very well in the college game. She can play anywhere in the back line and we expect Bridgett to be competing for a spot in the line-up from day one. Bridgett also brings an engaging personality that will fit in great with the culture of our team and our fans will love watching her play." _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Taylor Narvaiz
Midfielder/ Forward
Lubbock, Texas
West Texas United
Club Experience
Played with Lubbock Lonestars for five years before becoming a member of West Texas United '93 ... team is part of Lake Highlands Division I.
ODP
Member of North Texas ODP team for five years ... current member of the Region III ODP team headed to Coast Rica this spring ... listed in the Top 50 players in the nation for the 1993 age group ... ... ranked in the top 20 (No. 8) in the state of Texas by Top Drawer Soccer.
High School
Attends Monterey High School ... earned Newcomer of the Year and first team All-District as a sophomore and junior ... team captain junior and senior years... also participated in cross country, volleyball and track.
Personal
Born January 5, 1993, to parents Jimmy and Shelly Narvaiz... has two sisters, Sonny and Niki ... National Honor Society member maintaining a 4.0 GPA ... member of the 2010 Homecoming court ... member of FFA and FCA.
Head Coach Tom Stone on Taylor Narvaiz - "Taylor is one of the best stories of this year's class. Taylor has been coming to our camps and attending our home games since she was 14 so we have basically had the chance to see her grow up in the local soccer community. We could not be happier that she chose to stay in town and play soccer for Texas Tech. Taylor has taken it upon herself to play locally, for Monterey High School, for D'Feeters in Dallas and now for FC Dallas in the ECNL. Working her way from West Texas ODP to becoming a starter on the Region 3 Regional ODP team in her senior year is a real testament to Taylor's drive to excel and overall commitment to her game. Taylor will play in the back for us and can fill any position across the back line. Pace and tenacious defending are two of Taylor's biggest physical attributes and the intangible that we liked most in recruiting was the competitive edge this kid has - she does not like to lose and that is just fine with us." _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Paige Strahan
Midfielder/Forward
Odessa, Texas
West Texas United
Club Experience
Member of West Texas United `92 for seven years ... 2008 West Texas ODP selection ... team was part of 2008 and 2010 Lake Highlands Class League ... 2008 Region III Presidents Cup Champion ... 2008 Presidents Cup National Champions ... 2008 Plano Labor Day Champions ... 2009 North Texas State Cup Finalists.
High School
Attends Odessa Permian High School ... four-year varsity letterwinner ... three-year captain ... 2008 was first team all-district ... 2009 first team all-district ... 2009 Allen Winter Classic all-tournament team ... 2010 District 3-5A District MVP ... named 2011 Captain ... 2011 West Texas Invitational all-tournament team ... 2011 nominee for Permian High School Hall of Fame.
Personal
Born July 22, 1993, to parents Kirk and Lisa Strahan ... has a younger brother, Austin ... member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Texas Scholars ... on sophomore, junior and senior Boards ... 2009-2010 Optimist Club Award winner ... 2010 KOZA Community Award Winner for work with the Special Needs kids in Ector County ... Special Olympics Volunteer Coach.
Head Coach Tom Stone on Paige Strahan - "A teammate of Taylor Narvaiz, Paige came to our camp last summer and really tore it up. We needed to add a forward to this class and were thrilled that the forward could come out of West Texas. Paige is quite strong and holds the ball very well under pressure. Paige is a lot to handle for youth defenders and I think her tenacity and strength will be big assets when she plays at the collegiate level. Paige, like most West Texas kids, is a fighter and that is a great thing to have when you are trying to make your mark at the next level. We think Paige will do very well up top with the rest of our front line players and will be a great compliment to the runners at forward like Conner (Williams) and Taylor (Lytle)."
