EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Head Coach Ben Wierzba and the University of Evansville women's basketball team have announced the addition of nine newcomers to the roster ahead of the 2026-27 season. The newcomers join four returning players set to hit the floor this season for Wierzba's first at the helm of the Aces.

Siena McNitt · G · Garden City, Mich. · Schoolcraft College
McNitt joins the Aces after two seasons at Schoolcraft College, where she was an All-Conference and All-Region selection. McNitt helped lead the Ocelots to a 33-2 record, the Great Lakes District C championship, and an appearance in the NJCAA DII Women's Basketball Championship in 2025-26, earning Regional Tournament MVP honors. As a freshman at Schoolcraft, McNitt helped the Ocelots to a 28-6 record, the Great Lakes District B championship, and an appearance in the NJCAA DII Women's Basketball Championship and was a Second Team All-Conference pick.

Coach Wierzba on McNitt - "Siena is a leader and a winner. She can push the ball and make plays in transition."

Sammi Holzmeyer · G · Newburgh, Ind. · Evansville Christian HS
A local product, Holzmeyer stays home to join the Aces after a high school career that saw her help Evansville Christian to sectional and regional championships in 2025-26. In 2024-25, Holzmeyer set the Evansville Christian HS record with five three-pointers made in a 19-point performance. A standout on the track and in cross country as well, Holzmeyer a part of the 4x800 relay school record on the track and ranks second in school history with a time of 21:30 in cross country.

Coach Wierzba on Holzmeyer - "Sammi is a great teammate and hard worker. She will fit right in with our team."

Nori Jamison · G · Nashville, Tenn. · Ensworth School
Jamison comes to UE by way of Nashville, where she as a standout prep performer at The Ensworth School. A five-year letterwinner, Jamison helped Ensworth to a state championship in 2022 and a state runner-up finish in 2023. A two-time All-Region selection and two-time Power Games MVP, Jamison eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career. As a senior last season, Jamison averaged 15 points, five assists, and three rebounds per game.

Coach Wierzba on Jamison - "Nori has a high basketball IQ and knows how to play the game. She is a very mature player."

Maria Serrano · F · Madrid, Spain · Patrocinio San José
Serrano joins the Aces from Madrid, Spain, having most recently played for Real Canoe in the Spanish LF Challenge. Serrano helped her team to the Spanish U16 Basketball Championship and attended Colegio Patrocinio de San José in Madrid.

Coach Wierzba on Serrano - "Maria has good size. She can run the floor and finish and can protect the paint on defense."

Marina Artero · F · Fontanilles, Spain · Louisiana
Artero arrives in Evansville after spending the 2025-26 season at Louisiana, where Played in 31 games while making 19 starts for the Ragin' Cajuns. Prior to her time in Louisiana, Artero spent two seasons at Saint Francis (Pa.). In 2024-25, Artero Played in all 30 games and made 25 starts as a sophomore, averaging 2.1 points, 2.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. As a freshman in 2023-24, Artero played in all 30 games and made 20 starts, leading the team and ranking second in the NEC with 5.5 rebounds per game.

Coach Wierzba on Artero - "Marina brings some experience to our team, having started and played at the DI level. She brings a different level of physicality to our team."

Kelyn Johnson · G · Portland, Ore. · Benson Polytechnic HS
Johnson comes to Evansville from Portland, Oregon, where she was a standout on the hardwood at Benson Polytechnic High School. Johnson was a Second Team All-League selection as a junior and senior and helped her team to a runner-up finish in the OSAA State Basketball Tournament as a sophomore, a third-place finish as a junior, and a fourth-place finish as a senior. During her senior campaign, Johnson averaged 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game.

Coach Wierzba on Johnson - "Kelyn is a big, versatile guard who can shoot the ball and space the floor. She will help our team in a variety of ways."

Jordan Scott · G · Newburgh, Ind. · Wabash Valley College
Scott comes back home to Evansville after spending the 2025-26 season at Wabash Valley College, where she played in 27 games with 26 starts for the Warriors. Scott finished the season third on the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game, while leading the Warriors with three assists per game and 2.3 steals per game. She scored in double figures 18 times over the course of the season, including three 20-point performances. A product of Castle High School, Scott was a two-time All-SIAC First Team selection.

Coach Wierzba on Scott – "Jordan has the ability to score the ball in different ways. She will provide a spark to our backcourt."   

Casey O'Connell · F · Fort Myers, Fla. · Miami Country Day
O'Connell comes to UE by way of Florida, where she attended powerhouse Miami Country Day School as a senior and helped the team to a state championship. Prior to enrolling at Miami Country Day, she attended Canterbury High School in Fort Myers, where she averaged 20.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore and 16.3 points and 7 rebounds per game as a junior. In 2024, O'Connell was named Class 3A District Player of the Year and was an All-Area First Team selection in 2025.

Coach Wierzba on O'Connell –  "Casey can really shoot the ball and spread the floor. She gives us good skill and size."

Jayden Scott · G · Newburgh, Ind. · Castle HS
Scott stays home after a standout prep career at Castle High School, where she was a two-time All-SIAC First selection and a two-time All-State Honorable Mention pick. Scott helped the Knights to a SIAC championship. A member of Castle's 1,000-point club, Scott averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and two steals per game as a senior.

Coach Wierzba on Scott - "Jayden can impact the game on both sides of the ball. Her length and athleticism allows her to play multiple positions on the floor."