February 3, 1999

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame head volleyball coach Debbie Brown announced the signing of middle blocker Kaitlin McEwen of Baton Rouge, La., to a national letter of intent. McEwen, a 6-foot-2 senior at Bishop Sullivan High School, will make up Notre Dame’s class of 2003.

“We’re very pleased to have her,” Brown said. “She’s not someone who’s that well known, but we believe she has the potential for tremendous growth.”

McEwen, who moved to Baton Rouge from Dallas, Texas, just last summer, played her senior season at Bishop Sullivan High School where she was an all-state selection, district MVP, a two-time all-tournament selection and a composite all-state academic team honoree. McEwen, as team captain, also led Bishop Sullivan to a bi-district championship and an undefeated district record with 293 kills, 181 blocks, 114 digs and 56 aces on the season.

“When I took my visit, it was so overwhelming,” McEwen said. “I loved the coaching staff and fit in with the team really well. It just seemed like it was the place I wanted to be.”

McEwen, who has a 4.62 grade-point average and ranks first in her class, was a two-time all-district and all-city performer at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, where she also starred in basketball. Her junior volleyball season, McEwen averaged 4.4 kills per game and recorded 320 kills, 89 blocks and 194 digs.

“Kaitlin is someone who we believe has a very high top end,” Brown said. “She’ll be able to learn a lot her freshman season with training, patience and hard work.”

McEwen currently plays for the New Orleans-based Cajunland volleyball club team after playing for the Lake Highlands Volleyball Club while in Dallas.

“I’m looking to contribute in anyway I can,” McEwen said. “I don’t know what my role on the team will be, but I’m sure I’ll find it when I arrive there.”