Taylor Ayers, a 6-foot-2 center from Augusta, Ga., has signed a letter of intent to play for the Virginia Tech women's basketball team this fall, coach Beth Dunkenberger said.

Ayers averaged 21 points and 14 rebounds for Laney High School as a senior, making Georgia's Class AA all-state team and the Richmond County all-academic team.

Dunkenberger said that even after she had signed forwards Porschia Hadley and Abby Redick and guards Alyssa Fenyn and Aerial Wilson during the fall signing period, she still wanted a really good rebounder.

She said assistant Angela Crosby became acquainted with Ayers through her contacts in part because Ayers did not play AAU ball and therefor was not "on the typical recruiting circuit."

"She's got great hands, she's got real good timing, she's a good scorer and rebounder," Dunkenberger said. "She led her team to the state final four. I'm very excited about her."

The Hokies will lose the services of 6-2 forward Brittany Lewis, who has decided to transfer, Dunkenberger said.

Lewis averaged 3 points and 1.8 rebounds a game as a freshman this year. She played in 24 games, averaging 8.4 minutes. Her career best was 11 points and seven boards against Southern Methodist in December.

But Lewis had several medical problems and playing time was an issue.

Dunkenberger said Lewis had not said where she planned to transfer.

-- Katrina Waugh