HOUSTON – HCU head women's soccer coach
Nick Whiting announced the addition of four student-athletes for the 2025 season on Wednesday, National Signing Day.
The four newcomers hail from two different states, Texas and Nebraska, along with an international student from Canada.
"We are excited about adding this freshman class to our program," said Whiting. "This group of young ladies have the ability to make a positive impact on and off the field here at HCU as student-athletes. They aren't only talented players, but are wonderful people and teammates. They are passionate about the game and our mission here and we can't wait for them to get on campus and join our talented group of returners. I'd also like to thank Quentin and Howard for their work to putting together this group. While the class isn't finished yet, I couldn't have asked for a better start and I know they are going to make a big impact in helping us reach our goals."
Gisele Kehres, 5-8
Position: Defender/Forward
Hometown: Friendswood, TX
Club Team: HTX GA 07
High School: Friendswood High School
Prior to HCU: As part of the HTX GA team, Kehres has contributed to the team's high level of consistency making both the GA playoffs and Champions Cup each year. Gisele also plays for Friendswood High School where she has been a four-year varsity team member. Kehres has demonstrated her versatility by earning District Utility Player of the Year and second team all-region her sophomore season. Her junior year, she repeated as District Utility player of the Year and earned First Team All-Region. Kehres was deployed in the backline, midfield, and forward line. Off the field, Kehres runs track and qualified for state both her freshman and sophomore year.
Personal: Gisele is the daughter of Will and Gina. She has two brothers and one sister; Liam, Jude, & Greta.
Whiting on Kehres: "It was important to me to keep some of the best talent in Houston here at HCU and by adding Gisele, we do just that. She is athletic, versatile and loves to compete. We knew about her before, but her performance at our ID camp really solidified her as someone we had to have in this 2025 class."
Gabrielle Herfindahl, 5-10
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Hometown: Gretna, NE
Club Team: VSA Rush 06/07 GA
High School: Gretna High School
Prior to HCU: Herfindahl is currently a member of the VSA Rush 06/07 team that plays in the Girls Academy. She previously played her club soccer for Gretna Elite Academy for eight years and began playing in ECNL in 2020. Herfindahl helped lead her team to back-to-back ECNL Playoff appearances in 2023 & 2024. Herfindahl also made the 2023 Prep Player to Watch list. In 2024 she was also tabbed Soccerwire Player to Watch at ECNL FL, Top Drawer Soccer ECNL FL Featured Player, and Soccerwire Player that Impressed at ECNL FL. At Gretna High School, Herfindahl led her team to a 2024 Class A District Championship and the state quarterfinal.
Personal: Off the field, Gabrielle is very active in her school and the community. She is part of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Service Club. She demonstrates great leadership in multiple roles including lead volunteer for bible studies at a rehab facility & huddle leader for FCA. Herfindahl is also a licensed CNA and a 4-year honor roll winner. Herfindahl is the daughter of Steven and Cassandra. She has one brother named Gavin.
Whiting on Herfindahl: "Gabby is everything you want in a student-athlete at HCU and we couldn't be more thrilled for her to join. Not only is she going to meet the mission statement of the university, but she is a heck of a player and teammate. She can play multiple positions, use both feet with high quality, compete in the air and even has a long throw in. We can't wait to work with her."
Savannah Epting, 6-0
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Pearland, TX
Club Team: HTX GA 07
High School: Pearland High School
Prior to HCU: Epting is part of the same HTX GA team as Kehres and has also been vital in their recent success in GA. Epting helped guide her HTX team to the GA playoffs and Champions Cup in 2024. As part of the team at Pearland High School, she has collected numerous accolades for a standout 2024 season. During the 2024 season, she achieved Second Team 6A All-State honors and was also named First Team All-Region, First Team All-District and 2024 District Goalkeeper of the Year. Outside of soccer, Epting also plays for her high school basketball squad.
Personal: Epting's high standards carry over into the classroom have earned all-academic honors in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Epting is the daughter of Tami.
Whiting on Epting: "Savannah has all the tools to be a very successful goalkeeper in the Southland Conference. She is fearless, but also smart and has great positioning. Her athleticism is remarkable for the position and I know Quentin is going to do a great job of refining her game and helping her reach her ceiling, which is unlimited. "
Katya Alexis, 6-2
Position: Defender
Hometown: Ottawa, ON Canada
Club Team: West Ottawa Soccer Club
High School: Paul-Desmarais High School
Prior to HCU: Hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Alexis is the first international signing of the 2024 class. In 2023, Alexis was invited to Ontario provincial tryouts and made the team. Alexis was also invited to numerous FTF Canada Events and was a standout player, finishing as the 12
th highest rated player in the country. At FTF Montreal, Alexis was named Combine Defender MVP. She was also selected for the FTF Top-60 Combine. In 2024, she made the FTF All-Star Team and was invited to the Provincial Xcel program tryout. Alexis was also invited to the NDC tryout. In 2022, for her high school, Alexis was nominated for Best Female Soccer Athlete and Athlete and was crowned NCSSAA Soccer Champion. In 2023, Alexis was nominated and won Best Female Soccer Athlete. A dual-sport athlete, she also ran track, Alexis was nominated for Best Female Track Athlete, was crowned NCSSAA West Conference Track & Field Champion and qualified for OFSAA in Track & Field 4x1.
Personal: Katya's excellence continues in the class room making the Honor Roll in 2022. Katya is the daughter of Daniel and Vanoushka. She has three brothers; Philippe, Daniel, David.
Whiting on Alexis: "Katya brings an unmatched ability in the air, but there is so much more to her game than that. She is fast and aggressive, but also composed and a playmaker on the ball building out of the back. And as good as a player as she is, she is an even better person and we are thrilled to have her join our program."
