Nov. 21, 2006
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame women’s tennis coach Jay Louderback announced today that the Irish received a National Letter of Intent from Kristen Rafael (Grand Prairie, TX/Nolan Catholic H.S.). Rafael made her official commitment to Notre Dame during the early signing period and will enroll at the University in the fall of 2007.
“We are very excited about Kristen joining our program,” said head coach Jay Louderback. “She will not only help us on the court, but she is also a tremendous student-athlete. She is extremely serious about tennis and has a chance to help us in both singles and doubles right away.”
Rafael is the ninth-ranked player in the country by the Tennis Recruiting Network, the nation’s most comprehensive source for information about tennis recruiting. She has captured three major junior championships, including the Texas Summer Grand Slam and the MCB Cotton Bowl Super Championship. Rafael has an overall record of 64-16 in junior action.
Rafael will be the third Texas native, and first since 2002, to play for the Irish women’s tennis team.
The 2006-07 Irish squad will open their dual-match season on Jan. 26 at Illinois. Notre Dame starts its home schedule on Jan. 28 against Vanderbilt (Noon) in the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
— ND —