11.8.2023 – After leading their teams to the top tier of the section championships, senior Menlo student-athletes have committed early to continue their academic and athletic careers at NCAA Div. I colleges.

Evan Burnett has been committed to Texas tennis and signed a National Letter of Intent last month, Kenya Cassidy signed an NLI this week to play water polo at UCLA, and Cleo Hardin is set to join the volleyball team at Northwestern.

Burnett, a starter since his freshman year, so far has lifted the Knights to two Nor Cal titles, two CCS Championships, second- and third-place finishes at the National Invitational Tournament, and three league titles in three seasons. He is a two-time All-American at the National High School All-American Invitational. He now holds an ATP ranking of 1449. He has won two gold ball titles, clay-court nationals 16 doubles and indoor nationals 16s doubles. He was a USA Today Player of the Year finalist, as well as West Bay Athletic League MVP.

Cassidy has paced the Knights to top-tier CCS Open berths all three years the postseason was held. She was the Knights’ leading scorer this season, and is a two-time all-West Catholic Athletic League selection (this season has not been announced). She has also swam three seasons so far for Menlo, specializing in freestyle and qualifying for CCS in free relay. She plays for Stanford Water Polo Club. Her team was 11th at Junior Olympics this past summer and ninth in 2022.

Hardin, an outside hitter, has been named first team all-West Bay Athletic League. She came back from injury to lead the Knights’ return to the CCS Open Division playoffs, and successful pursuit of a CIF-NorCal Tournament bid this season. The six-rotation player has 456 kills, averaging 5.1 per set and holds a .365 hitting percentage this season. Hardin plays for Vision, and her teams have double-qualified in the top-tier Open Division the past two years. She was an Nationals All American Honorable Mention.

More Knights student-athletes are set to play their sports in college and their commitments will be announced as the admissions process is complete.