ELLISVILLE – Rebecca Monceaux is the latest Jones County Junior College softball standout to sign with William Carey University.
Monceaux made it official on Thursday morning when she inked with the Crusaders during a ceremony here in the Media Room of the C.L. Neill Student Center.
"Today is a great day because I know I will get to finish my career at William Carey," Monceaux said in front of a gathering of family members and teammates, as well as coaches from JCJC and William Carey. "Now, I get to focus on my team and get better and focus on this year and achieving those goals we have set. We want to win the state title, of course, and hopefully, a national championship this year."
Former Lady Bobcats Relanda McFarland and CC Lawn are current members of the WCU team.
First-year William Carey head coach Craig Fletcher is pleased to have Monceaux come on board.
"It means a lot to us," he said. "We've gotten players from here in the past. They have a great tradition and they know how to win. Rebecca will play a big role in helping us up the middle and we are pleased to have her. She is a good fit for our program.
"She comes in knowing how to win and that's something (Head) Coach (Chris) Robinson and (Associate Head) Coach (Bob) Herrington teach here."
Robinson said Monceaux's decision to sign with WCU is a win-win for both programs. The Crusaders are ranked No. 2 in the NAIA preseason poll.
"We are very excited for Rebecca to move on to a program like William Carey with the success they've had," he said. "We are very excited for our kids and our program because anytime we can get someone to move on up it does a lot of good for our program and future recruits for us because they know we can get them to the next level."
Monceaux enjoyed a productive freshman season for JCJC.
The Lake Charles, Louisiana, native hit .420 with three home runs, 25 RBIs, eight doubles and three steals. She was instrumental in helping the Lady Bobcats post a 52-6 record, win its third straight MACJC title and finish second in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.
She looks forward to joining the WCU program, but she is expecting a solid sophomore season with the Lady Bobcats.
"We've always played them in the fall. I just love their team energy and their campus is great," said Monceaux, who prepped at Grand Lake High School. "Their facilities are really nice and I just felt welcome there when I was on my visit. But, I'm really excited for my final season at Jones. I think we are going to do big things."
Robinson notes that Monceaux, a middle infielder, has been slowed by an ACL Injury, but has finally been cleared by the doctors to play.
"We are looking for a fantastic year out of her," he said. "She finally got released to play from her ACL injury. If anybody deserves to get back on the field to play, it's her because of what she's gone through and the therapy and rehab she has done. We are looking forward to her having a solid sophomore campaign."
The Lady Bobcats are in the midst of preseason preparations for the 2015 season.
They open play at home with a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Feb. 9 vs. Marion Military Institute (Alabama).