STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford head coach Frankie Brennan announced the signings of highly-touted prep standouts Kaia Giribalan and Katerina Shabashkevich to athletic financial aid agreements on Monday.
Both are blue-chip recruits according to the Tennis Recruiting Network and among the nation’s top 25 high school seniors that will enroll on college campuses next fall.
“Kaia and Katherina have both dreamed of attending Stanford and are fantastic fits for our program and this university,” Brennan said. “When you work with these young women throughout the process to be admitted to school and you see their joy when it comes to fruition, you know they are the right people to have join the Stanford women’s tennis family. We’re excited to have them here and can see them being contributors going forward.”
Giribalan is currently rated as the No. 23 recruit in the country, and one of 30 blue chip athletes rated by Tennis Recruiting Network. A player from nearby Los Altos, Giribalan has trained in Florida and Southern California during her junior career and was a finalist in both singles and doubles at Orange Bowl 16s in 2024.
“I chose Stanford because it gives me the opportunity to play tennis at the highest level while pursuing an equally strong path in the classroom,” Giribalan said of her decision. “It also feels special be part of a school so close to home since I was born and raised just 20 minutes away. It really is a full-circle moment.”
“Kaia really came onto our radar when she made the finals of the Orange Bowl in singles and doubles last year,” Brennan said. “She is really into college tennis, will help make us a better team and is a good cultural fit. She’s working through some injuries, but we’re looking forward to seeing what her tennis will continue to grow into, especially after the new year, and are excited to get her on campus next fall.”
Shabashkevich, out of Boca Raton, is currently rated as nation’s No. 11 recruit and has been as high as No. 9. In April, she won the PTT 25K Boca Raton and she was the USTA Nationals L2 Orlando 16s singles champion in May 2024. Shabashkevich was a U16 Eddie Herr International Championships finalist in December 2023 and a semifinalist at the same event a year later.
“Stanford has always been my dream school,” Shabashkevich said of her commitment. “I love the strong balance between the university’s academic and athletic programs, and I believe Stanford will help me become the best version of myself, on and off the court. One of my goals is to help the team remain the winningest program in Stanford Athletics history!”
“Katerina is another terrific fit who is a fierce competitor,” Brennan added. “She actually reminds me of assistant coach Janice Shin in that she is full of vigor on the court, emotional, and was just made for college tennis. Her enthusiasm is infectious and we’re fortunate she chose Stanford.”
The current Cardinal concludes its fall schedule at the NCAA Individual Championships which begin tomorrow in Orlando. Sophomore Valerie Glozman is the top seed in singles and freshman Alyssa Ahn is also in the 64-person field. Glozman won the singles titles at the ITA All-American Championships in September and Ahn was singles champion at ITA Northwest Regionals in October.