VERMILLION, S.D. -- The University of South Dakota tennis team has signed two players to national letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic playing careers at USD. Head coach Malcolm Gilreath announced the signing of Shadi Soleymani (New York, Ontario) and Isabel Nunez (Oakville, Ontario) for the 2008-09 season.

Prior to her family moving to Canada in early 2008, Soleymani was ranked as high as second in her province and 27th nationally in singles in Linkoping, Sweden. During her career, she has participated in numerous ITF (International Tennis Federation) Junior tournaments. After finishing class at Northview High School, Soleymani plans to participate in tournaments in Canada and Sweden this summer.

Nunez, a senior at St. Ignatius of Loyola High School, is currently ranked 45th in her province of Ontario. She has qualified for singles and doubles competition in the ITF and participated in several Canadian tournaments.

"We are very excited to have Shadi and Isabel joining our program in the fall," said Gilreath. "They both bring experience and intensity to the court and will further strengthen our lineup as we begin our transition to Division I. Both of these student-athletes are strong academically and are outstanding tennis players. They will be great additions to the USD tennis program." The Coyotes finished the season with the most wins in school history by going 19-7 in the final season at Division II. The University of South Dakota will begin its first year of transition to NCAA Division I in 2008.