FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Fairfield University women's tennis coach Ed Paige announced that Alyssa Ruiz (Glen Head, N.Y./Portledge School) will be joining the program in the fall as a member of the Class of 2011.

"Not only does Alyssa bring tremendous talent to our team, but considerable academic achievement as well," said Paige. "I am sure that she will have a most successful career at Fairfield."

Ruiz played first singles all four years at the Portledge School. The two-year captain earned four team MVP honors and went undefeated in league play. She also helped Portledge to four IPPSAL Championships. In 2006, Ruiz was ranked 41st in the Eastern Section Girls 18s by the USTA.

Ruiz is the first female student-athlete to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) under Paige, who is set to begin his second year at the helm of the women's program.

Fairfield finished the 2006-07 campaign with a 9-12-1 overall mark and tied for fifth place at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships. The Stags graduated just one student-athlete from last year's squad and will have five of the six singles players returning.