CLEVELAND | Head women's basketball coach Tron Griffin has announced that Jayla Penney has signed to play with Truett McConnell next season. Penney will transfer in from Clarke University and chose TMU from a list of schools recruiting her, including Barton College, Roosevelt University, Indiana University East, Florida Tech and the University of Mobile.

"Jayla will add immediate value to the program as an experience player coming from an amazing AAU organization (Rockford Heat) and also having two years of experience under her belt," said Griffin. "Jayla  comes from an amazing Christian family and is truly an example of what we are here at Truett."

In two years of playing at Clarke University, Jayla led her team in three point shooting both years, compiling a win-loss record with the Crusaders of 39-24. A 2015 graduate of Rockford Christian Academy in Cherry Valley, Illinois, she compiled four varsity letters while holding the Royal Lions' scoring record with 1,550 points in her high school career.

"I chose Truett because the coaching staff and team made me feel like it was a place I could call home," said Penney. "The character of God that was displayed through coach Tron was a such an inspiration to me, I knew it was a family I wanted to be apart of."

The 5-foot-8 combo guard was also a member of the National Honor Society and honor roll at Rockford Christian.