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SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame women’s tennis head coach Alison Silverio added two future standouts to the program on Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period. Lily Rochon and Nina Abalos officially signed and will head to South Bend next fall to join the Fighting Irish family.
“We are so excited to welcome Lily and Nina to our Notre Dame community,” Silverio stated. “Both bring exceptional character, work ethic, and determination. They embody what it means to develop in mind, body, and spirit, and we are eager to see their success as members of our team! Go Irish!”
The first new Irish is Lily Rochon, who hails from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Rochon impressed at the U18 Canadian National Championships, where she won the 2025 singles title. A year prior, she claimed both the U16 singles and doubles crowns at the same event. Ultimately, Rochon is a four-time Canadian National doubles champion.
Rochon’s impressive resume includes an ITF Junior singles title, two ITF junior doubles titles, and being a finalist in singles at the ITF J100 in Monterrey, Mexico.
In addition, Rochon is fresh off representing Canada at the Junior Billie Jean King Cup on Chile.
Coach Silverio on Rochon:
“Lily brings a wealth of international experience, love for the game, and poise to the program. Her excellence in academics and athletics reflects the high standards of Notre Dame, and she is expected to make an immediate impact with her competitive spirit.”
Rochon on choosing Notre Dame:
“Aside from the high-level academics and athletics, when I stepped on campus, the sense of community made me feel at home, and that’s when I knew Notre Dame was the right fit for me.”
Aria Nina Abalos is the second new Irish who hails from Bloomfield, New Jersey. Abalos is a blue-chip recruit who was ranked as high as No. 17 nationally in her class.
Abalos has made a name for herself in her home state, where she is the back-to-back-to-back New Jersey high school state champion (2023-25). She attends Montclair Kimberly Academy, where she has compiled an impressive 91-2 record (the two losses came in her freshman year).
She was just the second person at MKA to win a state title, and the fourth person overall to win three high school individual New Jersey state championships in a row. As a result, she is a three-time New Jersey Player of the Year.
Outside of high school competition, Abalos was a Doubles Finalist at the 2024 National Indoors in 18s and a Doubles Semifinalist at National Hard Courts in 16s.
Coach Silverio on Abalos:
“Nina exemplifies the values that define Notre Dame, including integrity, respect, and a commitment to service. Her proven success in the classroom and on the court will strengthen our program and enrich our culture.”
Abalos on choosing Notre Dame:
“I chose Notre Dame because the university excels in both academics and athletics. The values and faith that the tight-knit community here establishes are what my family and I always strive to follow. It is a dream come true to have the opportunity to be a part of the ND community and much more to represent ND on the tennis court.”
– ND –
