LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska Wesleyan Women's Basketball Head Coach Sydney Golladay has announced the addition of 15 student-athletes to the Prairie Wolves roster for the 2026-27 season. The group includes four collegiate transfers, nine incoming freshmen and two current Nebraska Wesleyan student-athletes who will join or rejoin the program.

The class represents the first full recruiting class for Golladay and brings a blend of collegiate experience, championship pedigree and local talent to Lincoln.

Ashlin Jacobsen | 5-7 | Junior | Guard | Freeman, SD | Iowa Central CC

Jacobsen comes to Lincoln after playing her first two seasons at NJCAA Iowa Central Community College. She appeared in 57 games, making 43 starts while averaging 25.4 minutes per game. She averaged 10.9 points per game, 1.4 steals per game and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 37 percent from the floor, 32 percent from three-point range and 85 percent from the line.

"We are thrilled to add Ashlin to our program. She is a three-level scorer who brings valuable collegiate experience and a strong understanding of what it takes to be successful at this level. Ashlin is a natural leader who brings a steady presence to the floor. Her versatility, basketball IQ and experience will make an immediate impact on our team."

Sharon Greek | 5-11 | Junior | Guard/Forward | Wray, CO | Iowa Central CC

Greek joins the Prairie Wolves from Iowa Central CC, where she played in 56 career games, including 20 starts during the 2025-26 season while averaging 18.2 minutes per game.

"Sharon will make our team better on both ends of the court. She is a versatile player who can stretch the floor and defend multiple positions. Sharon is the definition of a team-first player and will do whatever it takes for our team to be successful."

Mattea Kassebaum | 5-8 | Guard | Sophomore | Lincoln, NE | Doane University

Kassebaum played her freshman season at Doane University, appearing in 28 games, averaging 13.6 points per game on 40 percent shooting from the floor. Kassebaum earned second team All-GPAC as a freshman. She scored a collegiate career-high 26 points in a win against eventual NAIA national runner-up Dordt and helped Lincoln Christian capture the 2024 NSAA Class C1 State Championship, scoring 28 points in the state semifinal.

"Mattea is a highly skilled and extremely competitive guard who brings proven collegiate experience to our program. She can score at all three levels while making those around her better. She knows how to win, loves to compete and will make an immediate impact on our team."

Jessica Black | 6-2 | Forward | Redshirt-Freshman | Tilden, NE | Wayne State College

Black comes to Lincoln from NCAA Division II Wayne State College, where she redshirted during her freshman season. She is a graduate of Elkhorn Valley High School and earned Class C2 All-State First Team honors as a senior after helping lead the Falcons to a 28-1 record and a state runner-up finish. During her senior season, she averaged 12.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game while earning All-Greater Northeast Activities Conference honors. She recorded double-double season averages as both a sophomore and junior, averaging 14.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game as a junior and 12.7 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.6 blocks per contest as a sophomore.

"JJ is an outstanding addition to our roster. She brings size, athleticism, and a great motor. JJ can create on the offensive end while making a huge impact on the defensive side with her ability to guard multiple positions and protect the rim. She has an incredibly high ceiling, and we can't wait to see what she does as a P-Wolf."

Kiki Demke | 5-6 | Guard | Sophomore | Sioux City, IA | Sioux City East HS

Demke comes to Lincoln after spending a year away from competition while attending Florida Atlantic University. A graduate of Sioux City East High School, she averaged 10.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a senior. She is the sister of current NWU guard Maddie Demke. 

"Kiki brings a fiery personality and tremendous energy to the court. She is a great shooter who can get downhill and attack the basket. Her competitiveness and relentless mindset on the defensive end will make her a valuable addition to our program."

Halsey Thomalla | 5-11 | Forward | Freshman | Gothenburg, NE | Gothenburg HS

Thomalla comes to Lincoln from Class C1 Gothenburg, where she appeared in 28 games as a senior. She averaged 16.0 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 29 percent from three-point range. She led the Swedes to the NSAA Class C1 State Tournament semifinals. In the quarterfinal game, she rallied her team from a 12-point halftime deficit against Ogallala, finishing with a career-high 32 points and 12 rebounds.

"Halsey is an excellent addition to our roster. She can stretch the floor with her shooting while embracing the physicality around the basket. She proved on the biggest stage during the state tournament that she can score, rebound, and defend at a high level, and we're excited to see that translate to the collegiate game."

Sonya Guzinski | 5-8 | Guard | Freshman | Oakland, NE | Oakland-Craig HS

Guzinski comes to Lincoln after a successful high school career at Oakland-Craig. As a senior, Guzinski averaged 13.1 points per game on 32 percent shooting from three. Over the course of her high school career, she made 188 three pointers.

"Sonya is an elite shooter whose work ethic separates her. She consistently stretches defenses with her range while playing with a high basketball IQ. Her ability to create space, make plays, and compete on both ends of the floor will be a great addition to our program."

Ava Budler | 5-5 | Guard | Freshman | Littleton, CO | Arapahoe HS

Budler comes to Lincoln after a successful high school career at Arapahoe, playing in 68 career games. She averaged 7.1 points per game as a senior.

"Ava makes everyone around her better because of her decision-making and playmaking ability. She plays with toughness on both ends of the floor and has a tremendous feel for the game. Her ability to control the pace of a game and put her teammates in positions to succeed is something we look for in the point guard position."

Audrey Erhart | 5-6 | Guard | Freshman | Palmyra, NE | Palmyra HS

Erhart joins the Prairie Wolves after a standout career at Palmyra High School. A resilient competitor, she battled through an injury-shortened senior season after appearing in 20 games as a junior. Her toughness and work ethic will add depth to the Prairie Wolves backcourt.

"Audrey has shown tremendous resilience while battling through injuries and continues to be an incredible teammate throughout the process. Her toughness, positive attitude, and commitment to her team are qualities that stand out. We are excited to see her bounce back and make an impact on our program."

Ashlynn Dexter | 6-0 | Forward | Freshman | Tilden, NE | Elkhorn Valley HS

Dexter is a physical, blue-collar post player who takes pride in rebounding, defending and protecting the rim. She also brings a polished offensive skill set that makes her a threat on both ends of the floor. During her career at Elkhorn Valley, she helped the Falcons to a pair of NSAA Class C2 state runner-up finishes.

"Ashlynn is a great addition to our roster. She is a physical, blue-collar post player who embraces doing the little things that help teams win. She rebounds, defends, and protects the rim at a high level. Her toughness, consistency, and willingness to do whatever it takes for her team are qualities we are excited to add to our program."

Mia Hansen | 5-10 | Guard | Freshman | Overland Park, KS | Blue Valley Southwest

Hansen is a versatile player who impacts both sides of the ball and brings size to the guard position. She was a four year letterwinner at Blue Valley Southwest, averaging 11.7 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game as a senior.

"Mia is an extremely talented and versatile player with the size and skill to impact the game in a variety of ways. She can score inside and out, defend multiple positions, and gives us tremendous flexibility.  She has a competitive edge you can't teach! Mia will be an excellent addition to our roster. "

Avaerie Graves | 5-8 | Freshman | Guard | Lincoln, NE | Lincoln Southeast HS

Graves comes to Nebraska Wesleyan after completing her high school career at Lincoln Southeast. As a senior, she averaged 9.2 points per game, 2.0 steals per game and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 40 percent from the floor, 39 percent from three-point range and 54 percent from the line.

"We are thrilled to keep Avaerie in Lincoln. She was a late addition to this class, but someone we believed could immediately impact our program on both ends of the floor. Her toughness, athleticism, and competitive mindset make her a great fit for what we are building."

Isabella Vaipuna | 5-6 | Freshman | Guard | Hanna, WY | HEM HS

Vaipuna joins the Prairie Wolves from HEM High School in Wyoming, where she developed a reputation as an aggressive, physical guard capable of impacting the game on both ends of the floor.

"Bella is a competitor who plays with tremendous toughness and physicality. She takes pride in defending, attacking the basket, and doing whatever her team needs to win. Her versatility, unselfishness, and competitive mindset will make her a valuable addition to our program."

Grayson Piening | 5-7 | Guard | Junior | Firth, NE | Norris HS

Piening joins the program as a dual-sport student-athlete and will continue to compete for the Prairie Wolves volleyball team. A graduate of Norris High School, she averaged 6.4 points per game while shooting 40 percent from the field during her senior season.

"Grayson is an outstanding athlete who comes from one of the top high school programs in Nebraska. She is a tremendous leader who understands what it takes to win. Her competitiveness, work ethic, and ability to elevate those around her will make an immediate impact on our program."

Nella Castaneda | 5-6 | Guard | Senior | Highlands Ranch, CO | Rock Canyon

Castaneda rejoins the Prairie Wolves women's basketball program while continuing to compete for the Nebraska Wesleyan women's soccer team. She previously appeared in 14 games for the Prairie Wolves during the 2023-24 season, averaging 4.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. She recorded career highs of 10 points and five rebounds against Coe on Jan. 14, 2024.

"We are excited to welcome Nella back to our basketball program. Her athleticism and versatility will provide valuable depth to our team. Having already been a part of our program, she understands our expectations and will bring valuable experience and leadership to our locker room."

From Head Coach Sydney Golladay "This class represents exactly what we were looking for as we continue to build our program. We wanted competitors who come from winning programs, value relationships, put the team first, and are ready to come in and work every day. This group brings a great mix of experience, versatility, and talent, but what excites me most is the type of people they are. They are bought into what we are building and believe in the standard we are establishing within this program. I can't wait to see how they mesh with our returners and the impact they will have on our program both on and off the court."