The West Virginia University women's basketball squad enters the new season with a roster that looks dramatically different from a year ago. Only two players from the championship team return, while the rest consist of transfers, a high‑school recruit and a handful of newcomers, giving the Mountaineers ten new names to learn.
Head coach Mark Kellogg has embraced the challenge, reshaping the lineup through the transfer portal and targeted recruiting. He has organized summer workouts and team‑building gatherings to help the players understand each other's tendencies and develop chemistry before the first practice.
Building Chemistry on the Court
Among the newcomers, sophomore guard Alexis Bordas stands out as a three‑time West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year from Wheeling Park, while senior guard Kennedy Harris and senior wing Zaza Walton bring experience from George Mason. Transfer guard Khyala Ngodu arrives from UCF, and redshirt senior wing Marya Hudgins comes from BYU, both having faced the Mountaineers in last season's competition.
The coaching staff notes that several of the transfers have previously played together, including Harris and Walton, which should accelerate on‑court cohesion. These connections, combined with daily drills and off‑court bonding, aim to replicate the chemistry that led to last year's Big 12 Tournament title.
The ultimate objective is clear: return to the NCAA tournament and host a regional. Coach Kellogg believes the blend of talent, experience and camaraderie gives the team the depth needed to sell out the arena and achieve that goal.