Kathleen Doyle, Illinois Miss Basketball, commits with Hawkeyes

IOWA CITY — The Iowa Hawkeyes' recruiting class has gotten bigger. And better.

Kathleen Doyle, Illinois' Miss Basketball who had originally signed with Nebraska, said Tuesday night that she has orally committed to Iowa.

'Comfort is really important, and I had a great feeling with the coaches and the school,' Doyle said.

A 5-foot-10 senior, Doyle averaged 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.7 steals per game last season as Naperville Benet Academy earned its second consecutive state championship. Benet posted a 66-6 record the last two years.

Doyle becomes the fifth member of next year's freshman class, joining Amanda Ollinger (Linn-Mar), Makenzie Meyer (Mason City), Bre Cera (Mukwanago, Wis.) and Alexis Sevillian (Goodrich, Mich.)

In the most recent ESPN girls' basketball rankings, Meyer is rated 79th, Ollinger 87th and Doyle 97th.

Doyle committed to — and signed with — Nebraska, but reconsidered after Coach Connie Yori stepped down.

'Iowa had recruited me early on, then stopped when they had someone for my position,' Doyle said. 'When Whitney Jennings transferred (to Butler), a spot opened up.'

Doyle picked Iowa over Nebraska and Vanderbilt the second time around.

The Hawkeyes were 19-14 last season and lost in the first round of the WNIT.

'I think my skill set fits their program,' Doyle said. 'I think they're excited about me, and I'm excited about them.'

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