Red Wolves - IU East

Catherine Penland was ready to get back into the swing of things on the tennis court.

Penland, a 2009 Richmond (Ind.) High School graduate, has signed a letter of intent to play tennis for Indiana University East during the 2010-11 season.

Red Wolves coach Mike Sherer announced the signing Aug. 2.

"I wanted to play before, but I wasn't quite ready to play during my freshman year," Penland said. "I decided if I could, I would definitely play tennis during my sophomore year."

Penland played for one season in the Richmond High School tennis program. She will join the IU East tennis program as a redshirt freshman.

"We've added another local player for the IU East tennis program," Sherer said. "She adds to the depth we need as we prepare for our first season."

Catherine is the daughter of Chris and Heather Penland.

She is an elementary education major. She initially chose IU East because the school "has a great teachers program."

Penland was encouraged to join the Red Wolves tennis program by IU East signee Lizzie Shepherd, who played with Penland in the Richmond High School program.

Penland joins Shepherd, Kristi Henderson (Cambridge City, Ind.) and Cheltsi Hinners (Centerville, Ind.) in the Red Wolves' 2010 women's tennis recruiting class.

IU East is scheduled to open its debut women's tennis season Sept. 13 against Midway College.