Video: Women's Basketball Head Coach Katrina Merriweather Previews Fall Practice

 

 

After a transformative offseason trip to Italy and the arrival of the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history, Cincinnati Bearcats women’s basketball enters the 2025-26 season with something more than hope — belief.

 

“We had an incredible opportunity to go to Italy,” head coach Katrina Merriweather said. “It gave us a chance to bond as a team and compete. What we saw there is we’ve got an incredibly talented group — very versatile.”

 

That versatility, according to Merriweather, starts with the mix of newcomers and returners who bring both firepower and flexibility. With the Big 12 providing a steep learning curve over the past two seasons, Cincinnati is now better equipped — not just to survive, but to compete.

 

“What the Big 12 has taught me is we’ve got to score more points,” Merriweather admitted. “We’ve always focused on defense and rebounding, but this year’s group can flat-out make shots.”

 

Notable additions this off-season included Florida Atlantic transfer Mya Perry (one of the top three-point shooters in the country last season), as well as freshmen Kali Barrett (a scoring forward with range), and Joya Crawford, a proven deep-ball shooter and two-time Tennessee Offensive Player of the Year and Class AAA State Champion. 

 

 

The Dee Alexander Effect

 

The recruiting spike didn’t happen by accident.

 

It began with Dee Alexander, the program’s most high-profile commit in program history.

 

"When Dee Alexander decided to come to Cincinnati, it made it okay for anyone to come here,” Merriweather said. “She opened the door — people noticed.”

 

The 6-foot-2 guard finished her career at local Purcell Marian High School having been named Ohio Miss Basketball three-consecutive years, as well as four state championships. The McDonald's All American was a consensus top 10 player nationally and five-star recruit. 

 

Other recruits like Caliyah Devillasee and Kylie Torrance followed, drawn by both the on-court opportunity and the vision being built.

 

Even in the transfer portal, the Bearcats saw ripple effects.

 

“I think Mya Perry saw that Dee was coming here and it confirmed that something special is happening,” Merriweather added.

 

That “something special” has also brought challenges. With six freshmen and eight total newcomers, the practice floor can feel like a classroom.

 

“Some days I throw my hands up like, ‘It’s like we don’t even practice!’” she joked. “But that’s the joy in it. We’re teaching again. And this group — they want to be taught.”

Buying into "The Sisterhood"

 

Merriweather praises the mindset of her team when asked what she's been most encouraged by with this group.

 

“These players didn’t come here for attention or NIL deals. They came for a full package,” she said. “The environment, the city, the culture — they believe in what we’re building together.”

 

It's an approach that extends beyond the court. From players attending other teams’ games to building strong off-court chemistry, Merriweather’s squad embraces “one team” as more than just a slogan.

 

“The sense of community here — it’s real,” she said. “And these kids feel it.”

Italy, Gelato, and Growth

 

The Bearcats’ summer tour of Italy was about more than cultural exposure — it gave the team a head start.

 

“We got to experiment with lineups, figure things out early,” Merriweather explained. “That kind of experience — especially for freshmen — is priceless.”

 

And, of course, there was plenty of gelato.

 

“100% gelato was the favorite,” she laughed. “Every day, every night — four or five players lined up. Honestly, I think our coach, Abby Owings, ate the most. We call her ‘Jimmy John’s’ — super freaky, super fast. She burns it off.”

Staff Strength and Continuity

 

 

With so much turnover on the court, the continuity off the court may be the most valuable asset.

 

“You don’t land a class like this without the chemistry of our staff,” Merriweather said. “The players can feel the family environment. That sisterhood, it starts with us.”

 

She praised longtime assistants and support staff for their buy-in and daily sacrifice.

 

“Every day we ask: If these kids had to choose again, would they still choose Cincinnati? When the answer is yes — that’s the biggest compliment we can get.”

Looking Ahead

 

With momentum in recruiting, a culture that’s clicking, and a roster that can finally match the Big 12’s firepower, Cincinnati’s women’s basketball team enters the new season with expectation.

 

No longer building from scratch, Merriweather and the Bearcats are starting to build something bigger.

 

“We think we got it right with this group,” she said. “And we believe Cincinnati can be something really special.”