Dougherty Signs 2 Recruits

Nov. 18, 2011

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa women’s tennis coach Katie Dougherty signed two recruits to National Letters of Intent on Tuesday. Annette Dohanics (Cranberry Township, Pa.) and Caitlin Hindmarsh (Sunderland, England) both inked with the Hawkeyes, committing to join the Iowa program next fall.

“I’m thrilled to add Nettie and Caitlin to the team next year,” said Dougherty. “They are both impact players and possess the work ethic and mentality we value at Iowa.”

Dohanics is considered a five-star prospect and the No. 64 player in the country by TennisRecruiting.net. Dohanics, who attended North Catholic High School, won the 2011 Level 4 Section Doubles tournament and earned third place in the Level 3 Sectional Singles. In 2010, she was named the Middle States Most Improved G18 after she finished fifth in singles at the St. Louis Gateway Championships and placed third in singles and second in doubles at the Copperbowl. In addition, Dohanics was the doubles champion of the 2009 Robbie Wagner Indoor Championships.

Dohanics is also an accomplished student. A High Honor Roll honoree from 2009-11, she won the 2009 Best Communication-Innovative Design Competition at the University of Pittsburgh, the 2010-11 Leadership Award and the 2011 Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award.

Dohanics sister, Dorothy, was a member of the women’s tennis team at Penn State from 2005-2009.

Dohanics is the fifth five-star recruit to sign with Dougherty since she took over the program in Nov. 2009. Current Hawkeyes Christina Harazin (Indian Head Park, Ill.), Ellen Silver (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Shelby Talcott (Long Island, N.Y.) and Katie Zordani (Lake Forest, Ill.) were all tabbed five-star recruits as high school seniors by TennisRecruiting.net.

“Nettie is a physical player that is constantly adding elements to her game and is very smart out on the court,” said Dougherty.

Hindmarsh has been ranked as high as No. 425 in the ITF rankings. She prepped at St. Anthony’s Girl School, where she was coached by Nigel Beavers. She received the 2011 Award for Academic Excellence.

“Caitlin is very quick and uses her athleticism to be an aggressive all-court player,” said Dougherty. “Both Nettie and Caitlin will add more depth to our singles and doubles line-up.”