Miami women’s basketball looks to improve after historic 2025-26 season

The lobby is silent. The arena court and seats remain empty. Home to Miami University volleyball and basketball teams, Millett Hall stands vacant and echoing during the offseason. But beneath the main court lie somewhat hidden practice facilities, where dribbling basketballs, shoe squeaks and net swishes fill the room.

After an electric 2025-26 campaign, the Miami University women’s basketball team looks to keep the momentum with the help of incoming recruits, hard work in the offseason and a tenured coaching staff. 

The RedHawks previously earned 28 wins, a program record, and seven losses, and were 16-2 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play. They cruised past Kent State University and Ohio University before taking down the University of Toledo 68-58 in the MAC championship. 

The title was the team’s first in 18 years and third of all-time. After traveling to the March Madness tournament for the second time ever, No. 4 University of West Virginia dominated the RedHawks 82-54, ending their historic season. 

Now, Head Coach Glenn Box enters his fourth season with the RedHawks. He holds a 56-39 record with the team and earned MAC Coach of the Year last season. In the offseason, Box has prioritized maintaining the identity that Miami created for itself.   

“Our thing right now is just the level of effort that’s necessary to be who we are,” Box said. “We have a standard, and we have an expectation. Teaching kids how to reach those standards is paramount.”

Since last season, five RedHawks transferred to new teams and three graduated. Among the transfers were notable players, now-junior forward Ilse de Vries and now-junior guard Tamar Singer. De Vries scored the third most points on the team (444, 12.7 per game) and set the program record for 65 blocks last season. 

Singer had the most playing time and led the team with an overwhelming 243 assists and 90 steals last season. Guard Amber Scalia, who has since graduated, scored the second most points (479) on the team. 

Still, the returning players have made a strong influence on the new recruits and transfers. 

“We’re learning how to check our egos,” Box said. “We’re learning how to become more familiar with our style and play because we have so many returners. We’ve been very happy with the newcomers, but our returners have been really good as far as setting the tone and what is expected.”

Among the incoming players are senior guard Jaya McClure and senior forward Julianna LaMendola. McClure transferred in from the University of Illinois Chicago. Although an injury ended her only season with the Flames, she averaged 12.6 points per game and earned an All-MAC honorable mention with Ohio University early in her career. McClure is fully recovered now.

LaMendola transferred from Grand Canyon University after averaging 11.5 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. Before, she spent two years with Indiana University, where she was recruited to become a RedHawk. She and McClure are expected to contribute to a fast-paced, sharpshooting offensive front. 

LaMendola has a unique skill set that offers both offensive and defensive contributions to the team. Not only that, but she is a quick learner with a desire to win. 

“I will do whatever, I will play whatever, however I need in order to help this program win. I’m kind of versatile, so whatever coach has in mind for me, whatever I need to do in order to help this program be successful, that’s what’s going to happen.”

What sets the team apart from other competitors is the winning culture that Miami has developed. 

“I’m new this year, but everybody here is like-minded,” LaMendola said. “They all want one thing, and that’s winning, and they put everything else behind. We’re gonna put each other first and we’re gonna put this program first.”

Toxic teammate dynamics can heavily influence team chemistry and cohesiveness in practice and in game. For senior guard Núria Jurjo, that hasn’t been a problem for her in three seasons with the RedHawks. 

“Any outside drama is always not good for the team,” Jurjo said. “We get along really well too, so that’s definitely not a problem for us.”

Although it wasn’t an issue early on, Jurjo said that last season was a big jump for the team compared to her first two years. Senior forward Amber Tretter, who led the team in points last season (505), has been with Jurjo all three seasons. Together, the two have invested their time and effort into a much improved program.

“The first two years, we were not that good,” Jurjo said. “But me and Amber just trusted the process, and we ended up (continuing to) keep working and working out.”

The RedHawks look to improve from an already successful 2025-26 campaign and provide fans with exciting moments, intense play and more championships. 

“We’re a program that’s on the rise,” Box said. “We’ve done some great things. These kids have represented the university and have been great ambassadors to the community.”

The RedHawks will open regular season play at home against James Madison University at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. MAC play will open away against the University of Buffalo at 2 p.m. on Jan. 2. The home-opener will be a test of the team’s transition from the offseason to in-game play. 

Throughout the season, Miami will face tough opponents such as the University of Kansas Jayhawks on Nov. 27, No. 18-ranked Ohio State University on Dec. 16, and Ball State University on Jan. 9 and Jan. 31, 2027.