The South Dakota women's basketball team has added eight new players through the transfer portal for the 2025-26 season. Head coach Carrie Eighmey emphasizes the importance of these transfers for building a competitive roster.
Key points
South Dakota women's basketball added eight transfers for 2025-26 season.
Head coach Carrie Eighmey highlighted the need for transfers.
The team had a successful 26-10 record last season.
Four transfers and four freshmen join the returning six players.
Incoming freshmen come from various states including Iowa and Minnesota.
Mentioned in this story
Carrie Eighmey
WNIT Fab FourMaȟpíya LútaSouth Dakota Coyotes
The 2025-26 South Dakota women's basketball team's season story was told by transfers, with eight new players coming in from different schools across the country.
Head coach Carrie Eighmey stressed all season that it was not going to be a sustainable long-term strategy for building a team, but was necessary for her second season. That team rewarded her with a 26-10 record and a trip to the WNIT Fab Four.
The 2026-27 roster contains six returners, four transfers and four incoming freshmen after Angelina Robles, Elise Turrubiates, Patience Williams and Josie Hill graduated, and four others entered the transfer portal. Molly Joyce, Jenna Hopp, Tori Schlagel, Alyssa Bartlett, Alex Flattery and Kate Reyerson all return for the Coyotes.
"I'm really excited about all three groups," Eighmey said. "Really excited about our returners because I think they're good players. I think they have good chemistry. And then our transfers, we feel like they are great fits, and they fill some needs and some holes. And then our freshmen, we feel like that class is going to have a chance to be a really, really good class that kind of helps create that core moving forward into the future."
The incoming freshman class includes Maȟpíya Lúta's Ashlan Carlow-Blount, Livi Downs from Mankato, Minnesota, Natalie Ramsey from North Liberty, Iowa, and Rowan Jacobi from Springville, Iowa.
Here's a rundown of what new faces will be in the Coyote jersey next season, and which 2025-26 players are going elsewhere.
South Dakota Coyotes guard Tori Schlagel (33) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes guard Angelina Robles (5) drives to the basket during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Q&A
Who are the new transfers joining South Dakota women's basketball for 2025-26?
The new transfers include Molly Joyce, Jenna Hopp, Tori Schlagel, and Alyssa Bartlett.
What is the significance of the transfers for South Dakota women's basketball?
The transfers are crucial for building a competitive team as the program transitions after several graduations and departures.
How did South Dakota women's basketball perform last season?
The team achieved a 26-10 record and reached the WNIT Fab Four during the 2025-26 season.
Who are the incoming freshmen for South Dakota women's basketball?
The incoming freshmen include Ashlan Carlow-Blount, Livi Downs, Natalie Ramsey, and Rowan Jacobi.
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South Dakota Coyotes guard Molly Joyce (1) drives to the basket during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes guard Jenna Hopp (2) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes guard Angelina Robles (5) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes guard Molly Joyce (1) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes guard Jenna Hopp (2) passes the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes center Josie Hill (14) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
1 / 8
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South Dakota Coyotes guard Tori Schlagel (33) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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South Dakota Coyotes guard Tori Schlagel (33) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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South Dakota Coyotes guard Angelina Robles (5) drives to the basket during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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South Dakota Coyotes guard Molly Joyce (1) drives to the basket during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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South Dakota Coyotes guard Jenna Hopp (2) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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South Dakota Coyotes guard Angelina Robles (5) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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South Dakota Coyotes guard Molly Joyce (1) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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South Dakota Coyotes guard Jenna Hopp (2) passes the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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South Dakota Coyotes center Josie Hill (14) shoots the ball during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Who's Coming?
UNI's Bri Robinson dribbles against Iowa at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls on Nov. 16, 2025.
UNI's Bri Robinson dribbles against Iowa at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls on Nov. 16, 2025.
Bri Robinson, Northern Iowa
Robinson was the first transfer to sign and was one of Eighmey's top targets. The 5-foot-8 point guard was previously recruited by Eighmey when she was at Nebraska-Kearney, and averaged 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 41.5% from the field and 35.0% from three.
"I might be old school in the belief that point guards kind of make everything go," Eighmey said. "You'll watch her play and you'll say, 'OK, there's some things that kind of look like Angie.' But in some other ways, she's different. I feel like she's going to be a really good defender. I feel like she can score it, create her own looks, and then obviously run the show, which is what we want from point guards."
Robinson will likely join forces with Bartlett and Carlow-Blount to take on most of the ball-handling duties for South Dakota.
Gabby Jackson, North Alabama
Jackson was an All-Atlantic Sun Freshman Team member last year after going for 7.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in her first college season. Standing 6-foot-1, Jackson shot 37.7% from the field, 27.3% from three and 61.3% from the line.
"Gabby is also interesting because we recruited her out of high school and she ended up going to North Alabama," Eighmey said. "She's got a huge upside. She's a kid that has the ability to score it, really skilled. She'll be a little bit different than Elise. Elise's motor is what separated her. I think Gabby is an elite passer. And she's a really good athleteas well."
Jackson is one of three new South Dakota forwards, but she has three years of eligibility left and can be a long-term Coyote.
Latazia Williamson, Kennesaw State
Williamson is the second member of the reworked South Dakota frontcourt and represents a true center for the program. The Kennesaw State product started her career at Memphis and has never made a collegiate 3-pointer. The 6-foot-1 center scored 8.8 points and grabbed 5.5 rebounds on 46.3% from the field this year.
"Super athletic, has a high level of physicality, but definitely has different strengths," Eighmey said. "I feel like she's going to have a huge presence on the boards and just really be able to be one of those versatile, elite defenders, maybe similar to Elise Turrubiates, that we had this year."
Williamson is a one-year fix at the center spot, but should have the runway to play lots of minutes from opening night.
Ava Miller, North Dakota
Miller is an in-league transfer, and one with lots of upside. She's a stretch big, standing 6-foot-2 with a career 34% 3-point percentage. Miller has two years of eligibility remaining after spending one year at South Carolina Upstate and one at North Dakota.
"She's a physical player," Eighmey said. "She's got that physicality. She's not afraid to bang around in the paint. She can score it from around the rim, but also she has the ability to stretch it."
Miller averaged 7.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for the Fighting Hawks in 2025-26. She will be a part of the diverse frontcourt with Jackson, Williamson, Reyerson, Ramsey and Jacobi.
Who's Going?
South Dakota Coyotes guard Olivia Kieffer (0) defends while playing against the Denver Pioneers during Summit League quarterfinals on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes guard Olivia Kieffer (0) defends while playing against the Denver Pioneers during Summit League quarterfinals on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Olivia Kieffer, Black Hills State (Division II)
Kieffer has been a mainstay on the South Dakota roster, playing in 92 games over her three seasons in the program. She averaged 3.8 points per game over her time in Vermillion.
The Rapid City native, who ended her Rapid City Christian career ninth in scoring in South Dakota history, will finish her college career close to home at Black Hills State. The Yellow Jackets went 18-11 overall and 14-6 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play in 2025-26.
South Dakota Coyotes forward Grace Peterson (23) blows a kiss after Molly Joyce (1) scores the point during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes forward Grace Peterson (23) blows a kiss after Molly Joyce (1) scores the point during the WNIT semifinals on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Grace Peterson, Northern State (Division II)
Peterson appeared in 19 games during her freshman season, averaging 1.6 points per outing on 48.1% shooting. The Sioux Falls Washington product is moving up north on I-29 to Northern State. The Wolves went 16-13 overall and 11-11 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.
Brooke Jensen, Northern State (Division II)
Jensen is leaving her hometown of Vermillion for the first time after redshirting during her freshman year at South Dakota. She didn't appear in a game for the Coyotes this season.
South Dakota Coyotes guard Olivia Moore (25) brings the ball up court during game against the North Dakota State Bison on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes guard Olivia Moore (25) brings the ball up court during game against the North Dakota State Bison on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Olivia Moore, Uncommitted
Moore is searching for her fourth school in as many years, playing her freshman year at Long Beach State after wearing the redshirt and playing her sophomore year at Seattle before making the move to Vermillion. Moore played in 24 games for the Coyotes, scoring 1.4 points per game.
