The upcoming 2025-2026 season for the University of Southern Indiana Women’s basketball team is an intriguing one, as a new era of basketball has arrived for the Screaming Eagles. The team features seven new additions to the team, composed of three transfers and four freshmen. This has been a bit of a shift from the formula, distinction abnormality, as over the past few seasons, the team has for the most part built from within, adding transfers when only necessary.
This season, the team lost a large portion of their core, as Meredith Raley, forward, Vanessa Shafford, forward, Madison Webb, forward/center, Lexie Green, guard, and Lauren Carie, center all graduated. This group served as a consistent fixture of the team on and off the court. The big three, Raley, Shafford and Webb are a significant loss, but it was obviously one to plan for, as they were due to graduate at year’s end. From a statistical standpoint, the team will need to find players to replace the 34.1 ppg, 14.3rpg, 1.2 bpg and 4.6 apg averages. However, perhaps more crucially, the basketball IQ and leadership value of this trio is an even bigger loss, but the team will have to work hard to fill those voids up.
However one loss they couldn’t plan for was Triniti Ralston, junior guard, who transferred to Bellarmine University this summer. Ralston is a significant loss, as she served as a primary ball-handler on offense and a staunch presence on defense. It is rather interesting as to why Ralston left, as she most likely would’ve likely taken a larger role on offense. Her usage rating, or the percentage of plays designed for her to score on last season, sat at 18.8%, sixth highest on the team. (Of players who played at least 400 minutes last season.) This number would’ve likely increased into the low to mid 20s for the upcoming season. But the game isn’t played in spreadsheets and aggregates, so take those numbers for what they are.
With the losses, leadership was a major void to be filled. Ali Saunders, senior guard will take on the lionshare of that role, as she is the only returning senior on this team. Saunders said that the most important aspect of leadership is consistency, which is something she hopes to bring to the team.
“Your team should be able to know exactly what to expect from you every day,” Saunders said.
She added that a leader takes charge through the good and bad, and when necessary, “standing up and saying what needs to be said at certain times.”
As for personnel additions to the team, the team brought in four guards, two forwards and one center in the offseason. The 2025-2026 freshman class features two guards and two forwards that will make contributions for the team.
Ella Bobe, freshman guard from South Knox High School in Vincennes, Indiana is a strong addition to the team. She averaged an incredible statline of 19 ppg, five rebounds, three assists, and a remarkable two steals a game in her senior season. She shot greater than 50 percent from the field and was a lights out shooter from deep, hitting at an above 40 percent clip.
She’s also a strong finisher at the rim, which stems from her aggressive play style. Bobe is primarily a shooting guard, but can serve as a point guard, if necessary. I could definitely see Bobe fighting for a role in the crunchtime lineups, and could be a starter by season’s end; She’s one to keep an eye on.
Another key addition to the team is Lily Graves, freshman guard/forward from Franklin Central Highschool in Indianapolis. Graves is an intriguing player. At 5 ’11”, she can play both guard positions well, and averaged 13.2 ppgs, three rebounds, and two assists while shooting 42% from the field and 32% from downtown.
She also earned all-conference first team honors and was named to the IndyStar 2024-2025 second team All-USA Central Indiana Super Team. I think Graves has a lot to offer to the team and will have a considerable role.
For forwards, Alli Robertson, freshman forward from William Henry Harrison Highschool in Harrison, Ohio joins the team. Robertson had a star-studded high school career, being named to the All-Ohio team twice, earning four All-Southwest Ohio District Team selections and adding a McDonald’s All-American nomination as well.
Her last two seasons, she averaged 20+ ppg, but her senior season was her crescendo. She averaged 22.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg and nearly two blocks and steals, according to MaxPreps.com.
Alli is also a winner, proven by a conference championship in 2024 and a district championship in 2025.
Robertson’s biggest challenge, according to her, is the speed of the game.
She said that the speed of high school “does not compare to college at all.”
“Once you get here, you’re pushed to a whole another level that you didn’t think you could even get to,” she said.
The final member of the 25-26’ recruiting class is Channah Gannon, freshman forward/center from Coffee County Central High School in Manchester, Tennessee. Channah finished off her high school career strongly, averaging 18ppg and eight rebounds, and was named to the all-state team. She will likely be a strong option and will fight for playing time in the rotation.
For transfers, the university brought in three additions. Shannon Blacher, junior guard and Maddy Fay, junior forward, both transferred in from Northern Illinois, playing 6.6 mpg (in 26 games) and 4.9 mpg (14 games) respectively. What they bring the most is experience playing at a high level. The conference that they played in was the Mid-American Conference, which is a stronger conference than USI’s Ohio Valley Conference.
This can be seen through the non-conference winning percentages. According to WarrenNolan, the MAC finished with a record of 61-66 (48%) while the OVC had a record of 29-59, (32.9%). These two will definitely provide significant experience, leadership and talent.
The final transfer addition to the team was a later one, made in early June. Sarang West, senior guard from Alabama A&M was added. Coming from the Summit League, an even better league than the MAC where she played in 26 games last season, making six starts and playing nine minutes per game.
West is a natural point guard, which is a particular need on the team, because of the transfer of Triniti Ralston, junior guard. I look to West for bringing stability and high-IQ play to the team, much like a veteran quarterback in the NFL would.
Predicting the rotation:
For the rotation, I think that the starting lineup is pretty concrete in four positions, those being shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center. Saunders is the definite number one scoring option, as a dynamic three level scorer. Sophia Loden, junior guard/forward played a dynamic role that season, often as a strong role player off the bench playing in all 36 games, but stepped into the starting lineup when necessary. Loden’s defense is her best strength, but when she’s on point, she can spread the floor on offense as an outside shooter. Amiyah Buchanan, junior forward and Chloe Gannon will serve as low-post forwards on the team. Chloe is a definite option at center, but Buchanan can play both power forward and center when the opponent goes with a small ball lineup. Point guard is where I’m not nearly as sure, as I could see Sepulveda being the starter, as she has more experience playing in this specific system. However, West could see some starts if Sepulveda’s form drops. Kylee Dennis, redshirt sophomore guard, could also figure into play if she takes a strong jump this season. As of what I saw last season, I would pencil in Sepulveda as the day one starter, but it’s not a lock. On the bench, Shannon Blacher will likely serve as the backup two-guard on day one, with Bobe clawing for playing time. I predict that Bobe will take the backup SG spot by January. Lily Graves is the rotational small forward on the team, much like Channah Gannon is backing up Chloe Gannon.
(Depth chart created using: Operationsports.com)
The USI women’s basketball team is predicted to finish fourth in the OVC, which is a fair assertion, given the influx of new talent. I think that Head Coach Rick Stein and the coaching staff will guide the team to a strong season and perhaps a deep run in the OVC tournament. Time will tell if that prediction is right, but I’d bet on Stein getting the most out of the team.
All player information is courtesy of USI Athletics and MaxPreps.