Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women's tennis head coach Bret Beaver has added incoming freshman Chané Steyn, who will join the program for the fall 2026 semester.

Steyn joins the Catamounts after graduating from Nelspruit High in South Africa, where she received honorary colors from grades 8-12. Steyn achieved success at both the provincial and national levels, ranking as high as 10th in the nation.

A two-year captain of her provincial team, Steyn received Gold Medal of Honour accolades two years in a row. She additionally collected the Girls Tennis Player of the Year for grade 12 and received Sportswoman of the Year honors at the high school level in 2025.  

Steyn recently earned her first Women's Tennis Association (WTA) point, finishing in the top 16 at the ITF WT15 Mbombela Tournament 2026.