Nov. 23, 2010

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Katie Goepel and Katherine White have each signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 2010, Irish head coach Jay Louderback recently announced.

“We’re very excited to add both girls to our roster,” Louderback said. “I think they both have a good chance to contribute right away in both singles and doubles. They’re both very accomplished doubles players, which is what the program has been able to get recently. They are two kids that will fit in very well with the team. Also, both excelled in school. They are both very, very good students and I think they are a great fit for Notre Dame.”

A native of Chatham, N.J., Goepel joins the Irish out of Kaplan College Prep. During the summer of 2010, she reached the finals of the National Clay Court doubles championships. In the past year, she has also posted four wins against blue-chip players according to tennisrecruiting.net.

She currently ranks as the 41st best prospect in the class of 2011 and climbed as high as 25th earlier this year.

“Katie is someone that competes really well,” Louderback stated. “She is pretty much an all-court player and volleys well. She is going to be one that makes it to a lot of balls and is very consistent.”

White will join the Irish after competing as a two-sport athlete out of Brookstone High School in Columbus, Ga. During her freshmen and sophomore campaigns, she helped lead her tennis team to the conference, regional and state titles as well as helping the squad post an undefeated season in her second year. For her efforts, she was named team MVP as well as copping all-city accolades during each of her first two years and grabbing All-American recognition in her sophomore year.

In 2008, White captured the title at the National 16’s doubles on clay courts while also finishing runner up at the National 16’s doubles on hard courts. She comes to the Irish from a strong tennis pedigree as her mother, Amy, played at Alabama while her father, Will, played at Duke.

“Katherine is a bigger hitter,” Louderback said. “She isn’t afraid to take balls out of the air and plays a pretty big game, which I think will be good indoors. She is also a good doubles player.”

–ND–