AUBURN, Ala. – Two top prospects have signed National Letters of Intent and financial aid agreements and will join the Auburn women's tennis team next season, head coach Caroline Lilley announced today.
The Tigers will welcome DJ Bennett (Belleview, Fla.) and Katherine Simone (Cupertino, Calif.) to the Plains beginning with the 2022-23 school year. Both players have been ranked in the top 15 of their recruiting class by TennisRecruiting.net.
Below is some information about the Tigers' two signees:
DJ BENNETT
Hometown: Belleview, Fla.
Highlights: Ranked as high as No. 4 in her recruiting class … A blue-chip prospect according to TennisRecruiting.net … Was a finalist at both the 16's Easter Bowl (singles) and 16's Eddie Herr (doubles).
DJ on choosing Auburn: "The reason I chose Auburn is because I had an amazing connection with Coach Caroline from our first phone calls. I genuinely think she believes in me, and I believe in her and what she wants to accomplish at Auburn. I can't wait to be a part of it!"
Coach Lilley on DJ: "DJ has the rare combination of rage to master and ability to learn. She is such a natural athlete, someone whose physicality allows her to do special things. From my first conversation with DJ I knew she had the balance of grit and perspective that allows a player to apply consistent pressure boldly. Throughout the entire recruiting process we have always been on the same page, this unspoken, natural understanding and ability to communicate openly and honestly. Her parents, Beth and Steve, have raised a young woman with unwavering character. DJ is as competitive as they come, but her humility is rooted in her value system, thus earning her the respect of her peers. To have her joining the Auburn family is humbling. Her best tennis is ahead of her and we cannot wait to have her on campus to continue writing her legacy."
KATHERINE (KATHY) SIMONE
Hometown: Cupertino, Calif.
High School: St. Francis HS
Highlights: Ranked as high as No. 11 in her recruiting class … A blue-chip prospect according to TennisRecruiting.net … Won the 18's Northern California Junior Sectionals.
Kathy on choosing Auburn: "I chose Auburn because of the tight-knit familial community. On my campus visit I realized how much the coaches, teachers, and future teammates care about my growth as a player and as a person. I am ready to take the next and greatest step in my life together with a community that cares for me as much as I care for them."
Coach Lilley on Kathy: "Both Coach Falcon and I had the privilege of watching Kathy compete right before the pandemic shutdown recruiting. She has an incredible tennis IQ, the ability and skillset to make adjustments as she progresses through a match. She has options, decisions to make on every ball, which means she has so many different ways to apply pressure. When you couple her intellect with her athleticism, you realize the best is yet to come for Kathy. Her coach and father, Sylvano, has instilled such a sound technical and tactical foundation. We are excited and grateful to be a part of the next chapter of her life."