Peoria, IL – Bradley Women's Basketball is gearing up for the 2024-25 season with an infusion of new talent, adding nine new players to the roster, including four transfers and five freshmen. Head coach Kate Popovec-Goss, now in her third season leading the Braves, is optimistic about the team's potential after a challenging 11th-place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference last year.
"We focused on bringing in players with a winning history," said Popovec-Goss. "The majority of our newcomers come from successful programs, and that's a key factor in building a competitive team."
Freshman Class Highlights:
Ellie McDermid (6-3, Forward): A 1,000-point scorer from Bay Port High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin, McDermid is expected to be a dynamic offensive force. "Ellie is a tremendous mobile hybrid forward who can guard anywhere on the court," said Popovec-Goss.
Mariam Coulibaly (6-1, Forward): An athletic forward from Mali, who competed in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, Coulibaly adds a strong rebounding and scoring presence. "She can attack from the perimeter and score around the basket at a high level," Popovec-Goss noted.
Lila Posthuma (6-1, Forward): A dual-sport athlete from Prescott High School, Wisconsin, Posthuma brings versatility and a high basketball IQ. "Lila is a do-it-all player with length and mobility," said Popovec-Goss.
Inia Jones (5-5, Guard): Despite an early injury, Jones remains a positive and energetic presence. "I bring a lot of positivity and energy to the team," said Jones. Popovec-Goss added, "Inia's engagement off the court has been impressive despite her injury."
Caitlin Washington (5-8, Guard): A strong, in-state guard who can create and score while being a physical defender. "Caitlin adds depth to our guard positions and is a fantastic student," said Popovec-Goss.
Transfer Class Highlights:
Amy O'Hara (6-4, Forward): A transfer from George Mason, O'Hara brings size, defensive ability, and shooting range. "Amy is a skilled big who can stretch the floor and defend in the paint," said Popovec-Goss.
Carlie Vick (6-2, Forward): A transfer from FAU, Vick offers size and shooting ability. "Carlie is a stretch forward who can shoot the ball and make great decisions on offense," noted Popovec-Goss.
Soleil Barnes (5-7, Guard): Coming from a successful Toledo program, Barnes aims to bring leadership and a winning mentality to Bradley. "I bring goofiness, excitement, and a lot of love to the team," Barnes shared.
Tamia Perryman (5-8, Guard): A grad transfer with a strong physical presence, Perryman excels at slashing to the basket and playing tough defense. "Tamia is a strong, athletic guard who brings veteran leadership," said Popovec-Goss.
Looking ahead, Popovec-Goss is confident that this revamped roster will play a powerful two-way game, with a focus on size and versatility. "We have a much bigger team this year, which will help us in this tough, physical league. We're excited to see how our new concepts play out on the court," she said.
Despite some early challenges, including Jones' injury, the team's chemistry and buy-in have been strong. "Building takes time, but I'm thrilled with how the team has rallied around each other. Their chemistry and commitment are really high," said Popovec-Goss.
Popovec-Goss and her staff have assembled a group they believe will excel both on and off the court. "Each of our student-athletes brings a unique skill set, and we are excited to get to work. The Braves faithful will enjoy watching them and getting to know them throughout the community," Popovec-Goss concluded.
