Breaking down the UE, USI women's basketball rosters after the transfer portal closed
EVANSVILLE — The final day for non-graduate men’s and women’s basketball players’ final day to enter the transfer portal was Thursday. Players who enter now would need to get a waiver to play for a new team barring an extenuating circumstance.
Where does that leave each local college basketball team?
Men's team rosters: The transfer portal is closed. Here's where the UE, USI men's basketball rosters stand
The University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana women’s basketball rosters are essentially complete at this point. Both had major areas they needed to fill, with Abby Feit’s departure to Missouri for UE and Hananh Haithcock’s graduation for USI.
Let’s look at the newcomers and break down the rosters.
University of Evansville
Returners:
Kynidi Mason-Striverson
Barbora Tomancova
Celine DuPont
Lexi Sinclair
Departures:
Abby Feit, transferred to Missouri
Myia Clark, graduation
Anna Newman, graduation
A’Niah Griffin, graduation
Jossie Hudson, graduation
Elly Morgan, returned to Australia
Kodie Myszka, returned to Australia
Irene Hernanz Pacios, returned to Spain
Newcomers:
Alana Striverson
Class: Junior Previous college: Lindenwood Position: Guard Height: 5-foot-10
Striverson joins the Aces after two seasons in the Lions’ backcourt and being an important piece of their transition to Division I play. She averaged 6.3 points and 2.1 rebounds and assists in Lindenwood’s inaugural Ohio Valley Conference season.
She is also key returner Kynidi Mason-Striverson's sister.
"She shoots it well and can score in a variety of ways," coach Robyn Scherr-Wells said in a release. "Having led her team to a high school state championship, I know she will bring that work ethic and winning mindset to our program.”
Tamesha Dozier
Class: Sophomore Previous college: Wabash Valley College Position: Forward Height: 6-foot-1
Dozier joins the Aces after her lone season as part of the rotation at Wabash Valley and is one of four junior college transfers joining next season. She averaged 6.7 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 48% from the field. She helped lead Wabash Valley to a 27-1 record and the No. 12 ranking in the NJCAA Top 25.
"She is a very versatile post play who can shoot the three well and also put a lot of pressure on teams inside,” Scherr-Wells said in a release. “Her athleticism and length make her a very versatile defender and I am excited that we will be able to use her in multiple spots in our press.”
Yiesha Williams
Class: Junior Previous college: Wabash Valley College Position: Guard Height: 5-foot-8
Williams joins Dozier in playing for the Aces after time at Wabash Valley. She was a key contributor for the Warriors, starting every game and averaging 10.5 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
"Yiesha brings a well-rounded game and winning experience to our program," Scherr-Wells said in the release. "She will be a force in our press and a difference-maker on the defensive end. Offensively, she fits our uptempo, attacking style of play."
Julia Paloma
Class: Junior Previous college: Casper College Position: Guard Height: 5-foot-7
The Spanish guard was a sharpshooter for the 15th-ranked Casper, hitting 50% of her field goal attempts and shooting 44% from the perimeter. She averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds.
Paloma had 48 steals this season.
"Julia brings us athleticism and toughness at the guard position," Scherr-Wells said in a release. "She will be a force in our press defense. She comes from a successful transition style at Casper so she will fit seamlessly into our transition offense. She is a great cutter and finishes fearlessly at the rim. She can stretch the floor with her shooting.”
Anica Skrivan
Class: Junior Previous college: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Position: Forward Height: 6-foot-1
The junior college transfer from Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina, was a key part of Northeastern Oklahoma’s A&M’s rotation this season. She averaged 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds while adding 21 blocks and four steals defensively.
"She fits in seamlessly," Scherr-Wells said in a release. "Anica brings us toughness in the post and a very strong face up game from the t-post and high post areas.”
Neveah Thomas
Class: Freshman Previous college: N/A Position: Forward Height: 5-foot-11
Thomas was the Aces’ first freshman signee of the 2023 class and averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds last season for Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She was an all-conference honoree three times.
“Nevaeh brings great versatility and athleticism to the forward spot for us," mentioned Scherr-Wells. "She is quick and long and versatile on the offensive end. She will fit very well into our press defense.”
Kiki Smith
Class: Freshman Previous college: N/A Position: Guard Height: 5-foot-8
Smith averaged more than 20 points per game in both her junior and senior seasons at Topeka High School and was a 6A All-State first team honoree three of her four years. She played for the Missouri Phenom EYBL team.
“She can put the ball in the bucket and she is a fantastic facilitator," Scherr-Wells said in a release. "She is a strong guard that has the ability to get into the lane and finish through contact."
Maggie Hartwig
Class: Freshman Previous college: N/A Position: Forward Height: 6-foot-1
Hartwig was named to her all-conference first team in 2021-22 and averaged 12 points and nine rebounds last season. Both of her parents were athletes at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.
"She is strong and posts up well where she can then use her quickness and athleticism to score,” Scherr-Wells said in a release. "She also shoots the three well. She will be a tough match-up for defenders. She is versatile and can defend multiple spots on defense.”
Sydney Bradley
Class: Freshman Previous college: N/A Position: Guard Height: 5-foot-10
Bradley joins as a preferred walk-on after averaging nine points and being named to the all-district team for Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis.
University of Southern Indiana
Returners:
Tori Handley
Aubrey Burgess
Takiya Howard
Lexie Green
Meredith Raley
Claudia Gallegos
Lauren Carie
Departures:
Hannah Haithcock, graduation
Tara Robbe, graduation
Ashlynn Brown, graduation
Soffia Rieckers, graduation
Lexi Thompson, graduation
Newcomers:
Ali Saunders
Class: Sophmore Previous college: Valparaiso Position: Guard Height: 5-foot-10
Arguably the highest profile signee for the local teams this offseason. Saunders was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference freshman team after averaging 10.7 points, 2.7 assists and 1.7 rebounds for the Beacons. She led all MVC freshmen in scoring and assists.
"Ali has a versatile skill set on the offensive end where she can make shots and create plays for herself and her teammates," coach Rick Stein said in a release. "Ali is a leader and a tough competitor who fits in perfectly with our style of play."
Ariel Kirkwood
Class: Graduate Previous college: Eastern Kentucky Position: Forward Height: 6-foot
Kirkwood brings much-needed experience to the Eagles’ frontcourt. She averaged 5.7 points and 4.8 rebounds for the Colonels this season. She also brings OVC experience from her time at Morehead State, where she was named to the all-conference second team, all-newcomer team and was defensive player of the year as a freshman.
"Ariel is an elite shot blocker who can defend anywhere on the court,” Stein said in a release. Ari can make plays on the perimeter and in the paint on the offensive end, and she fits perfectly into our style of play."
Madi Webb
Class: Senior Previous college: SIUE Position: Forward Height: 6-foot-1
Webb spent her first three years with the Cougars and averaged 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds this season. She had a career-high 18 points and 10 rebounds against Western Illinois. She scored eight points in both games against USI.
"Madi brings a wealth of Division I and Ohio Valley Conference experience to our team,” Stein said in a release. “Her size and play in the paint will impact our team immediately on both ends of the court."
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Sophia Loden
Class: Freshman Previous college: N/A Position: Guard/Forward Height: 5-foot-11
Loden comes to USI after being named 2022 conference co-player of the year for Mascoutah High School in Illinois. She averaged 22.7 points and 12.5 rebounds that season. Loden was also named to the all-state third team.
"Sophia is a versatile player that can change the game in many ways," Stein said in a release. "She plays with a lot of energy and is a great competitor."
Kylee Dennis
Class: Freshman Previous college: N/A Position: Guard Height: 5-foot-10
Dennis was named to the Kentucky High School All-Star team after senior season and reached the 1,000-career points mark in her sophomore season. She also played EYBL for Kentucky Premier.
"Kylee is a lengthy combo guard with a great feel for the game," Stein said in a release. "She is a playmaker that can create for herself and her teammates."
Chloe Gannon
Class: Freshman Previous college: N/A Position: Center Height: 6-foot-2
Gannon was named Tennessee District 6-4A MVP in her junior season and led her team to its fifth consecutive district title. She averaged 13.6 points and five rebounds and one block per game while shooting 54% from the field.
"Chloe is a post player that can make plays both at the low and high post," Stein said in a release. "She has good size and is a tough finisher in the paint."
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: NCAA women's basketball: Breaking down UE, USI rosters
