Joyce Novacek Class: Freshman Hometown: Aliquippa, Pa. High School: Hopewell Height: 6-2 Position: Forward

Joyce Elizabeth Novacek ... part of Bucknell's recruiting class that was ranked 41st in the nation by Blue Star Basketball ... possesses a fantastic work ethic ... easily hit mile time in preseason ... impresses coaches in weight room ... knows how to win having played on two state championship teams ... transitioned easily to college basketball ... expected to make an immediate impact ... runs floor well ... can block shots and defend ... expected to form potent inside combination with Patriot League Player of the Year Hope Foster ... one of three Bison who have twin siblings.

High School/Personal: Three-sport athlete at Hopewell High School ... earned four letters in basketball, three in track and field and one in volleyball ... led basketball squad to back-to-back AAA state titles ... two-time first-team all-state selection ... Western Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Athletic League Player of the Year ... team captain as a senior ... helped lead team to a four-year record of 98-18, including 61-5 over final two seasons ... team improved in wins each year, going from 17 to 20 to 30 to 31 ... daughter of Julie and Jim Novacek ... twin sister Becky was a member of the back-to-back state championship teams and now plays volleyball at Dayton ... has two other sisters, Grace (16) and Janice (13) ... father played football and track and field at Rose-Hulman Technical Institute where he was an All-American pole vaulter ... uncle, Jay Novacek, was a member of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys for 11 seasons ... born Oct. 24, 1988 in Omaha, Neb.