Four student-athletes, including Chuckey-Doak's Kendra Tarlton, have committed to attend Tusculum College and play volleyball for the Pioneers announced TC head coach Michael Robinson.

Also joining the Pioneers this fall are Allyson Ray, Taylor Wood and Melanie Gibson.

Tarlton, a 5-10 outside hitter, is a local product from Chuckey-Doak High School. Tarlton led the Lady Black Knights in kills and hitting percentage, while also garnering All-Conference and All-District accolades in each of her four seasons.

"I have had the opportunity to see Kendra develop her skills over the past four years," Robinson said. "She has always been a player you have to run out of the gym at camp. It seems like she is always the first one in the gym and the last one out. With her work ethic, I can see Kendra developing into a nice player for us."

Ray, a 6-0 middle blocker from Hudson, Fla., comes to Tusculum after playing the 2007 season at Armstrong Atlantic State University. Ray, who will have one year eligibility left with the Pioneers, led the Pirates in hitting percentage (.256) and kills (333).

Wood, a 5-9 right-side hitter from Atlanta, Ga., recently completed her prep career at North Springs High School.

Gibson, a 5-3 libero/defensive specialist from Signal Mountain, Tenn., comes to Tusculum from Red Bank High School. She also played for the Choo Choo Volleyball Club, one of the top squads in Tennessee.

Tusculum posted a 22-11 record last season in Coach Robinson's first year at the helm of the Pioneer program. TC has accounted for three-straight 20-win campaigns, while finishing in the top four of the South Atlantic Conference in all three of those seasons.