CALIFORNIA (June 14) – The California University of Pennsylvania women's basketball program announced on Monday it has signed six players for the upcoming season.

The incoming class for 2010-11 includes Elena Antonenko (Guard/Forward – Moscow, Russia), Aryelle Covington (Guard/Forward – Reynoldsburg, Ohio), Nakia DeBlanc (Forward – Pittsburgh, Pa.), Ryah Gadson (Guard – McKeesport, Pa.), Jessica Jones (Guard – Sacramento, Calif.) and Davida Penn (Forward – Pittsburgh, Pa.).

The Vulcans have made the NCAA Tournament in nine-straight seasons with four Elite Eight appearances, highlighted by the 2004 National Championship.

Below are quotes from second-year head coach Mark Swasey regarding each of the incoming players.

Elena Antonenko (6-2, Freshman, G/F, Moscow Russia/State University of Physical Education) – “Elena averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game in 25 minutes for the Russian U-17 National Team. She will be competing for her country in both the U-17 2010 World Championships in Tourloise, France and in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.”

Aryelle Covington (5-10, Freshman, G/F, Reynoldsburg Ohio/Reynoldsburg) – “Played the forward position for Coach Fisher in leading Reynoldsburg to their first-ever trip to the Ohio Division I Final Four, losing in overtime to the eventual-state champions. Aryelle averaged 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals per game, while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 36 percent from behind the arc. For her efforts, Covington was named to the Ohio Capitol Conference First-Team. Carrying a 3.5 GPA, Aryelle is a Gold-Scholar Athlete and a member of the All-Ohio Academic Team.”

Nakia DeBlanc (6-3, Junior, F, Pittsburg Pa./Woodland Hills/North Carolina A&T) – “A transfer from NC A&T, Nakia averaged 15 minutes per game averaging 4.3 points, on 47 percent shooting, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 block per game. She carries an impressive 3.8 GPA and Dean's List Honors from A&T.”

Ryah Gadson (5-9, Freshman, G, McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport Pa.) – “Ryah started all four years at point for McKeesport. Gadson averaged 13.4 points and 5 rebounds while finishing with 976 career points. A Post-Gazette Fab Five selection and two-time AAAA selection. Carrying a 3.6 overall GPA, Ryah is a four-year honor student, a McKeesport Young Achiever in the Tribune-Review and an Outstanding Young Citizen Award Winner.”

Jessica Jones (5-4, Junior, G, Sacramento, Calif./Natomas/Pima Community College (Ariz.)) - "Jessica was the starting point guard for Todd Holthaus's Pima Aztecs. She averaged eight points on 37 percent shooting, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.6 steals in 25 minutes per game in the 2010 season. This year the Aztecs finished ranked fifth nationally in NJCAA Division II.”

Davida Penn (6'1, Freshman, F, Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills) – “The Post-Gazette listed Davida as one of the top post players in AAAA. A Max Preps Top National Block Leader, Penn averaged 14 points, 12 rebounds and 5.5 blocks this year for Penn Hills. Davida is also a National Honor Society Member and carries an overall 3.56 GPA.”