UTC Mocs Women’s Basketball Team Completes Successful Season

News Summary

The UTC Mocs women’s basketball team, led by Coach Deandra Schirmer, ended the season with a 17-15 record and a strong 9-5 performance in the Southern Conference. They reached the SoCon tournament finals, narrowly losing to UNC Greensboro and earning a spot in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. Looking ahead, while several key players graduated or transferred, the team retains a solid core and welcomes new recruits, aiming for success next season.

Chattanooga, TN – The UTC Mocs women’s basketball team, under the leadership of Coach Deandra Schirmer, finished the 2024-25 season with a successful record of 17 wins and 15 losses. Despite facing early challenges due to injuries that affected the availability of key players, the Mocs stood out in the Southern Conference (SoCon), achieving a commendable 9-5 record against conference rivals. The team’s performance earned them the runner-up spot in both the regular-season standings and the SoCon tournament.

During the SoCon tournament, the Mocs advanced to the finals, where they nearly pulled off an upset against the top-seeded UNC Greensboro, who ultimately won the championship in overtime. Following their strong postseason play, the Mocs received an at-large bid to participate in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). In the WNIT, they secured a victory in the first round against Alabama A&M but were eliminated in the second round by Troy.

Looking forward to the upcoming 2025-26 season, the Mocs have a largely set roster with ambitions of being among the favorites to succeed in the SoCon. Although they will be missing several key players who graduated or transferred out, including Sigrun Olafsdottir, Karsen Murphy, Brooke Anya, Takia Davis, Jade Moore, and Masa Buzic, the team has a solid foundation to build upon.

Departing Players

Among the players who graduated, Sigrun Olafsdottir distinguished herself as a versatile guard, holding the record for games played (152) and starts (149) in UTC history, averaging 7.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in her final season. Karsen Murphy also made notable contributions, finishing her career with an average of 8.8 points per game and delivering strong performances in the SoCon tournament. Additionally, Brooke Anya averaged 7.8 points and 4.3 rebounds during her sole season with the Mocs, including an impressive 26-point game against Samford.

Takia Davis, who scored 17 points against Penn in one of her best games, accumulated 118 points and 74 rebounds over her three years, while Jade Moore managed to participate in 20 games despite injury struggles, contributing an average of 1.7 points. Masa Buzic transferred after limited playtime, appearing in just 10 games.

Returning Talent

The Mocs will return seven players who made significant contributions this past season. Caia Elisaldez is the only returning All-SoCon player, having averaged 14.1 points and 4.9 assists per game. Gianna Corbitt, recognized as a SoCon All-Freshman selection, averaged 11.4 points and demonstrated noteworthy skills in steals and blocks. Ava Card provided valuable depth as a bench player, averaging 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds.

Frode Flos van der Schans is expected to be a key center for the team, as he played crucial minutes during the SoCon tournament. Izzy McPherson exhibited potential before an injury sidelined her early in the previous season. Kalifa Ford and Taylor Searcey, who were also lost to injuries, are anticipated to return and positively impact the team in the upcoming season.

New Additions

To strengthen their roster, UTC is welcoming five new players. Notable new recruits include Falon Bedke, a 6-2 guard from Southern Idaho Junior College, and Sarah Owona, a Belgian guard with impressive statistics from Florida Southwestern State. Evie Bruce, an all-state player from Texas with a robust high school record, and London Weaver, a twice-named all-state player from Georgia renowned for her shooting, bolster the new talent. Kami Wilson joins the squad following an impressive high school career, having averaged 25.2 points per game in her senior year and setting multiple records at her school.

Program History

UTC’s women’s basketball program has a rich history, including seven appearances in the WNIT, with the upcoming tournament marking their seventh participation. The Mocs’ first-round game in the WNIT is set against Alabama A&M on March 22, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET. As they prepare for the next season, the team aims to build on their past achievements and strive for further success within the conference.