May 6, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Spokane, Wash. native Chelsea Jones has announced her intent to transfer from Seattle University to the University of Memphis for the 2009 fall season according to Memphis women's soccer head coach Brooks Monaghan.

"We're extremely excited to have Chelsea join our program," said Monaghan. "She is a true center back with great leadership ability. She is strong, reads the game very well and is very technical. She is the whole package in the back and we expect her to come in and compete for playing time immediately."

Jones enrolls at the University of Memphis as an academic sophomore, but still maintains full athletic eligibility due to redshirting the 2008 season at Seattle University.

"We recruited her extremely hard two years ago, but unfortunately we didn't land her," said Monaghan. "During the recruiting process, there are some kids that you miss that stick in your mind. Chelsea stuck for us not only because of her playing ability, but for her character. She's a player that I established a great relationship with and somebody that I've always remembered."

Prior to enrolling and redshirting the 2008 season at Seattle University, Jones was a four year letterwinner for women's soccer at Mount Spokane High School and captained her team to the 2007 state quarterfinal game. Her Mount Spokane High School squad also earned city league co-champions in 2004. Her individual honors included 3A All-State second team honors in 2007 and All-Greater Spokane League team member in 2006 and 2007.

At the club level, she served as captain of the Spokane Shadow which she guided to a pair of state titles as well as three additional appearances in the state championship game.

Jones was also a member of the Washington '90 Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2004-2008 and in 2005 was chosen for the Super Y ODP National Team.

"It is a great opportunity for us to add a player like Chelsea to our program," said Monaghan. "We're fortunate that she still has four years of eligibility and we expect her to compete immediately and help contribute to our goal of another conference championship."