CHICAGO (November 14, 2018) – Loyola University Chicago head women's basketball coach Kate Achter announced the addition of three talented student-athletes to her program on Wednesday.  Anna Brown (Waukee, Iowa/Waukee), Sam Galanopoulos (Skokie, Ill./Niles West) and Julia Hoefling (Norwood, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) have all signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Maroon & Gold at the start of the 2019-20 season.
 
"Signing day is always exciting for us," Achter commented.  "As a staff, we couldn't be more pleased with the newest additions to our program. Not only are they outstanding students in the classroom, but they are tireless competitors on the court that will compliment our already hungry group."
 
ANNA BROWN
5-10 • Guard
Waukee, Iowa • Waukee
 
Arriving in Rogers Park by way of Waukee, Iowa, Anna Brown is a sharpshooting, 5-foot-10 guard who currently stars at Waukee High School for coaches Chris and Sheri Guess.  A First Team All-Central Iowa Metropolitan League honoree and Second Team All-State selection last season, Brown averaged just under 16 points and operated at a 42% clip from beyond the three-point arc, knocking down 78 shots from distance, as she helped the Warriors earn a berth in the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) 5A State Playoffs.  Prior to her time at Waukee High School, she spent two seasons at Sprit Lake High School, earning back-to-back First Team All-Lake Conference nods.  Brown plays for coach Dickson Jensen's All-Iowa Attack and was a member of the Nike Girls Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) squad that won a national title in 2018. 
 
Achter on Anna: "Anna brings a tremendous ability to stretch the floor for us.  Not only can she shoot, but Anna can also defend multiple positions for us.  She has competed and won at some of the highest levels of high school and AAU basketball, and has done so while embracing very different roles.  Anna wants to win, and will do whatever it takes for the team to do so."
 
SAM GALANOPOULOS
5-8 • Guard
Skokie, Ill. • Niles West
 
Out of nearby Skokie, Ill., Sam Galanopoulos has been a starter since day one for head coach Kyle Braheny at Niles West High School.  Named an All-Central Suburban League honoree in each of the last two seasons, Galanopoulos is coming off a junior campaign that saw her earn All-State accolades after averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.  The 5-foot-8 guard cracked the 1,000-point mark for her career last season, moving to second on Niles West's career scoring chart.  Galanopoulos has also experienced success on the club level under the direction of coaches Steve Pratt & DJ Morris' for Full Package, averaging 20 points and 9 assists en route to multiple First Team All-Tournament selections.
 
Achter on Sam: "Sam is a point guard in the truest sense.  She has tremendous court vision and is incredibly selfless with the ball in her hands.  Throughout her recruitment, we've seen Sam deeply impact every team she has been a part of, making each group better in their own right.  One of Sam's best qualities is how competitive she is and how she pulls that competitiveness out of her teammates and coaches."
 
JULIA HOEFLING
6-1 • Forward
Norwood, Ohio • Mount Notre Dame
 
Norwood, Ohio native Julia Hoefling has racked up the honors during her time at Mount Notre Dame High School with head coach Dr. Scott Rogers.  A three-time All-Girls Greater Catholic League selection, Hoefling has averaged 10.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks through the first three years of her time at the school.  As a sophomore, the 6-foot-1 forward was a driving force in the Cougars' capturing a Division I State Championship, earning a spot on the Associated Press' State Tournament Team in the process.  She has also been a part of two conference championship squads at Mount Notre Dame.  Hoefling is coming off a prolific club season with Chris Gramke's Cincy Swish that saw her average a double-double (16.8 points, 10.5 rebounds) as she shot a red-hot 48 percent from three-point land.  She was also a force on the defensive end, totaling 61 blocked shots (2.2 bpg).
 
Achter on Julia: "Julia is one of the most efficient players we've ever recruited.  She plays with poise beyond her years and for being 6'1'', she impacts every part of the game.  She is versatile and incredibly competitive.  Julia has also played at some of the highest levels of high school basketball and has made every team she's ever been on better."
 
Loyola, fresh off a victory over Detroit Mercy in its home opener earlier in the week, heads across town to clash with UIC on Saturday at 3:12 p.m.