SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Notre Dame College Women's Tennis team has announced the signing of Hannah Philippi and Emily Hofsess during the early signing period. 

The NDC tennis team is off to a 1-3 start after a brief Fall season and will compete in its championship season in the Spring starting with a home match against Mount Union on February 27, 2017, at the Western Reserve Racquet Club in Streetsboro, Ohio.  Women's tennis is competing in its first season as a varsity sport at the NCAA-II level. 

Philippi is a senior at Canton South High School who has had a noteworthy career. As a four-year letter winner for the Wildcats, Philippi led her team to a 57-10 record in those four years, amassing a 100-17 individual record. In the Northeastern Tennis Conference (N.E.T.), she led her team to a pair of team championships, was selected All-Conference First team all four years, and earned the N.E.T. Player of the Year award her junior and senior seasons. In the Northeastern Buckeye Conference, Hannah was selected to the Second team All-Conference as a freshman, then was selected to the all-N.B.C. conference First team in her final three seasons. Hannah was also selected to the All-Stark County team all four years and once was 1st team. During the post-season tournament, Philippi was a sectional runner up and a sectional champion in doubles, a three-time Northeastern Ohio Tennis Association District Qualifier and fell just short of being a state qualifier. 

High School Record:
Freshman Year- Team Record: 17-2, Individual Record: 22-4
Sophomore Year- Team Record: 17-2, Individual Record: 29-2
Junior Year- Team Record: 18-2, Individual Record: 29-3
Senior Year- Team Record: 15-4, Individual Record: 20-7

"Hannah is a tough competitor," said Head Coach Brian Mogus. "She is never satisfied with what she has done and works to always do more. I think she is going to come in and make some noise in her first year." 

Hofsess is a senior at Canfield High School who not only lettered all four years but also was a member of the National Honor's Society, Student Council, President of the One Octane Higher choir, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. With Emily on the squad, Canfield went 74-8 in a four year span. As a senior, Emily helped the Cardinals as a co-captain to a 19-2 record, ending with a loss in the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Northeast Region Semifinals. In her sophomore through senior seasons, she garnered her team's "Most Wins" award. Emily was a two-time All-Conference Selection First and Second team and helped her team win the All-American Conference all four years. In her junior year, she had only one individual loss and went 19-2 as a senior. To cap off a great career, Hofsess made it out of a tough Division-I Sectional Tournament and qualified for the Division-I Northeast Ohio District Tournament. 

"I look forward to having Emily as a Falcon," said Coach Mogus. "She has a great all-court game, calm temperament, and ability to construct a point."