CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois and head coach Evan Clark have announced the signing of Katherine Duong to the Fighting Illini women's tennis program. Duong will join the Orange and Blue for the 2020-2021 campaign.

"We are thrilled to welcome Katherine to the Fighting Illini Women's Tennis family," said head coach Evan Clark. "We continue to be fortunate enough to land caliber ability tennis players, but more importantly land well-rounded, high character and humble individuals like Katherine to our program. We were very fond of Katherine from day one, so we are obviously elated that she chose the University of Illinois.  I am extremely grateful and appreciative for Katherine's confidence in me, our program and of our great University."

Duong is the third blue-chip signee for the Illini in two years and the second from Northern California in as many years. It also marks the third time in three years that the Orange and Blue will have a recruiting class ranking in the top-25, with a previous 2019 ranking of No. 14/ No. 22 and a ranking of No. 8/ No. 15 in 2017.

The Cupertino, Calif., native will help the Fighting Illini bolster a roster for the 2020-2021 season that will return eight of nine players.

Katherine Duong

Cupertino, Calif.

Cupertino High School

» Blue Chip recruit by tennisrecruiting.net, ranking as high as No. 20 nationally

» Ranked No. 2 in Northern California

» Ranked No. 4 in California

» Two-time Central Coast Section singles finalist ('17 and '18)

» Currently undefeated in senior season Central Coast Section ('19)

» Plans on majoring in Accounting

» Daughter of Son Duong and Fatemeh Birhani

Why Illinois?

 "I chose Illinois because of the incredible sports environment and the amazing accounting program."

Coach Clark on Duong: "Katherine has an extremely high tennis IQ and is a gifted competitor. She has all the tools to become a terrific college tennis player and she will thrive in the women's college tennis setting. The best news is that Katherine still has a lot of room to grow and develop and we are excited to see what she can do in her four years with the Orange and Blue. Katherine and the University of Illinois is truly a great fit in all aspects.  Our program got a great deal better today with the signing of Katherine and we can't wait for her to join the Illini Family."

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