HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University tennis coach
Brian Nester has begun building for the future by signing three players to national letters of intent to join the Norse for the 2013-14 season.
NKU will welcome Nicole Soutar, Danielle Donahue and Sierra Nellessen to its women's tennis program beginning next fall.
“We are very excited to bring in these three talented and enthuastic young ladies as we embark on our transitional period in Division I,” said Nester, who enters his second season at NKU. “Not only will they have a chance to make an immediate impact for us, but they will help raise the level of our program as a whole.”
Soutar, a senior at Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio, carried a 48-5 singles record over her four years with the program, including a perfect 31-0 record in Greater Miami Conference play. In doubles play, Soutar advanced to the quarterfinals of the Ohio State tournament in her senior season. Soutar was a three-time All-GMC selection, including twice earning first-team honors, a Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star honorable mention three times and was honored as second-team All-Ohio in doubles play.
Donahue, a senior at Eagan (Minn.) High School, has compiled an 85-19 record over the last four seasons as the top-flight singles player for the Wildcats. Donahue advanced to the state tournament in each of her last three years, reaching the second round twice. She is a six-time All-South Suburban Conference honoree and was three times named all-state. Donahue is ranked among the top 25 in the USTA's Northern section and is listed as the No. 8 player in Minnesota's senior class.
Nellessen, a senior at Tippecanoe High School in Tipp City, Ohio, earned recognition as the Central Buckeye Conference Player of the Year during each of her four seasons with the Red Devils. Nellessen holds the school's single-season record for wins as a singles player and eclipsed the school's career record during her sophomore season. She was a sectional champion in her junior season, qualified for district championships in each of her four seasons and twice advanced to the state championships, including this past fall.
NKU's 2013 campaign, its first as a member of NCAA Division I, opens on Feb. 3 at Wright State.
