The Jeff Hans era at NKU saw a season full of ups and downs, but with many positives that can be built upon heading into the 2025-2026 season. The Lady Norse finished the 2024-2025 campaign 11-21 overall and 8-12 in the Horizon League.
Gone are stalwarts Halle Idowu and Macy Blevins, both accounting for most of the Lady Norse scoring. Blevins averaged 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while Idowu averaged 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
All that aside, Hans went to work reloading with a stellar incoming Freshman class, great results leveraging the portal and a very solid core of returnees from last season’s squad which he hopes to parlay into a jump in the Horizon League standings, and moreover, re-establishment of a once proud women’s program.
When asked what he has seen from the incoming class, Hans commented: “When you bring in nine new players to the roster, all of them need to be ready to step into some important roles. We have added depth and the ability to play different styles. Jamaya Thomas had a good summer and carried that into the preseason. Karina Bystry stood out with her shooting ability but also with her ability to score in other ways.”
The returning players for this season’s team have impressed Hans as well: “our returning players have been very good in helping the new players on their transition. I think they’ve worked hard in the off season and continue to get better. I thought Mya (Meredith) finished last season strong and has been even better in our preseason. After an up and down freshman season, both Kamora and Anna are ready to accept more important roles this year.”
Overall, Hans likes what he has in the roster this season. He is looking forward to the season and what this team can accomplish: “the non-league schedule is tough and should prepare us for Horizon League play. I like how our team has attacked each day as they come into the gym ready to get better. The practices are highly competitive which will help us get ready. I think our style of play will be a little different than last year and I’m looking forward to seeing what this team can accomplish in 2025-26.”
Returning Players
Kamora Morgan – 6-0, Sophomore, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Morgan averaged 7.6 points per game and 2.4 rebounds in her inaugural season with the Lady Norse. She will be relied on heavily for her athleticism and ability to get to the basket.
Mya Meredith – 5-11, Senior (5th Yr.), Newport, KY
Meredith averaged 10.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in a season that saw her return from a knee injury the prior season. She also ranked first on the team in steals, second in rebounds and fourth in threes made. Hans will look to the senior to be the leader of this year’s squad.
Anna Hamilton – 5-5, Sophomore, Hebron, KY
Hamilton appeared in 28 games for the Lady Norse averaging 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Her ball handling ability and defensive prowess will be big this season.
Abby Wolterman – 6-0 Senior, West Chester, OH
Wolterman appeared in all 32 games for NKU, averaging 21 minutes a game and 5.6 points to go along with 5.0 rebounds. She finished fifth in points and third in rebounds for the Norse during conference play.
Noelle Hubert – 5-11 Junior, Burlington, KY
Averaged 2.8 points and 1.1 rebounds a game. NKU will look to Hubert to be a consistent shooter from behind the arc for them off the bench.
Gabby Razzano – 6-2 Junior, Mason, OH
Razzano made 24 appearances for the Norse, averaging 1.9 points per game and 1.2 rebounds. She shot a staggering 66.7% from behind the arc and 62.1% from the field.
Incoming Players
Sam Lindhorst – 5-9, Junior, Waterloo, IL, Lincoln Land Community College
Lindhorst brings a lot of experience from the JUCO ranks as she averaged 13.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 3.4 assists per game for the Loggers. Her scoring and ability to share the ball placed her in the Top 50 in the county in points and assists.
Kylee Hunt – 5-6, RS-Junior, Oklahoma City, OK, Seward County Community College
Hunt averaged 11.8 points and 4.0 rebounds while dishing out 2.5 assists per game. She was named to the KJCCC Second-Team All-Conference during the 2024-2025 season.
Taysha Rushton – 5-5, Grad Student, Midland, TX, Concordia CC
Rushton joins the Norse after spending the previous four seasons at Concordia (Nebraska) and most recently at Texas Permian Basin where she averaged 16.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Alma Rashelbach – 6-0, Junior, Tel-Mond, Israel, Nebraska Kearney
Rashelbach spent the 2024-2025 season at Nebraska-Kearney. She played for the Israeli U14, U16 and U18 national teams.
Mia Jordan – 6-3, Junior, Gold Coast, Australia, Dodge City CC
Jordan joins the Norse after spending the last two seasons at Dodge City CC, where she started 27 games averaging 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Caroline Eaglin – 5-9 Freshman, Newport, KY, Newport Central Catholic HS
Eaglin brings the ability to get to the basket and score in addition to hitting from the behind the arc. During her time at local Newport Central Catholic, she exceeded the 2,000-point plateau and was named 9th Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches and was a Kentucky Miss Basketball candidate. She finished her career averaging 46.2% from the field and 86.8% from the free throw line, and shot 33.6% from behind the arc.
Karina Bystry – 5-9, Freshman, Englewood, TN, McMinn Central HS
Bystry is a volume scorer, averaging 45% from the field and 38% from behind the arc during her time at McMinn Central. She can impact the game due to her length and athleticism.
Maddie Moody – 6-1, Freshman, Kettering, OH, Archbishop Alter HS
Moody brings additional size to NKU but more importantly brings efficiency from the field as she averaged 52% from the floor and 42.4% from behind the arc along with the ability to score both inside and outside. Moody helped lead her team to a state runner-up finish her senior season.
Jamaya Thomas – 6-1 Freshman, Indianapolis, IN, Lawrence North HS
Thomas was a four-year varsity starter in high school at Lawrence North in Indianapolis and averaged 10.0 points and 3.7 rebounds a game to go along with several awards, including All-County, All-Conference and All-District Honorable Mention. Thomas led her team to the 4A State title in Indiana her senior season.
Projected Starting Roster
C – Jamaya Thomas
F – Kamora Morgan
F – Maya Meredith
G – Karina Bystry
G – Anna Hamilton
Preview Week 2025-26
MBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
WBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
Cleveland State (MBB | WBB) | Detroit Mercy (MBB | WBB) | Green Bay (MBB | WBB) | IU Indy (MBB | WBB)
Milwaukee (MBB | WBB) | Northern Kentucky (MBB | WBB) | Oakland (MBB | WBB) | Purdue Fort Wayne (MBB | WBB)
Robert Morris (MBB | WBB) | Wright State (MBB | WBB) | Youngstown State (MBB | WBB)
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