The UTSA women’s basketball team enters the 2024-2025 season with heightened expectations. Following a thrilling 2023-2024 campaign that saw them reach the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament as well as securing their first-ever appearance in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. Their postseason run culminated in an 80-62 win over the Northern Colorado Bears, marking a significant milestone for the program.
As the team looks ahead, coach Karen Aston, now in her fourth year at UTSA, positions the Roadrunners as a force to be reckoned with in the AAC, blending veteran players with plenty of freshmen talent.
At the heart of this success is senior forward Jordyn Jenkins. Coming off a season in which she averaged 17.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, despite battling injuries that sidelined her early in the season, Jenkins will be instrumental in driving the Roadrunners’ push for a deeper postseason run. She will be expected to take on more leadership responsibilities and continue excelling in scoring, defense and rebounding, all things that are likely to happen if she builds on the strong finish she had in the WNIT.
Complementing Jenkins in the frontcourt is sophomore forward Idara Udo, who emerged as a defensive anchor during her freshman year. Udo averaged 7.4 points and 5.9 rebounds while also blocking 25 shots last season, demonstrating strong rebounding and defensive capabilities. With more experience under her belt, she is expected to take on a larger role following the retirement of Elyssa Coleman. Udo’s increased confidence and experience should enable her to make an even greater impact this season.
In the backcourt, sophomore guard Aysia Proctor emerged as one of the team’s top scoring options last year. As a freshman, Proctor averaged 9.7 points per game and showcased a versatile offensive game, with the ability to score from all three levels. Her knack for creating her own shot will be crucial, especially in high-pressure situations.
Another key player is junior guard Sidney Love, who averaged 9.6 points per game last season and will take on an expanded role in the team’s offense this year. Her ability to shoot from a distance and drive to the basket makes her a versatile offensive weapon. Together with Proctor, she forms a dynamic backcourt duo that can create scoring opportunities from the perimeter.
Junior guard Siena Guttadauro is another player expected to make significant strides this season. Her ability to create her own shots, three-point shooting and knock down big shots in key moments will be a valuable asset. Building on the clutch shots she hit in last season’s AAC tournament and developing into a consistent shooter will add another layer to UTSA’s offense.
The freshman class offers a compelling mix of size, athleticism and strong defensive skills, all of which align seamlessly with UTSA’s defensive focus from last season. 6-foot-4 center Emilia Dannebauer, from Berlin, Germany, joins the squad with international experience, having starred in Germany’s second-tier Damen-Basketball-Bundesliga, where she averaged 8.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Her ability to protect the rim and rebound effectively will provide crucial depth in the frontcourt. Guard Damara Allen, from Colorado, also adds defensive tenacity, having averaged 11.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game at Cherokee Trail High School.
6-foot-3 guard Mia Hammonds and 6-foot-1 forward Taylor Ross, both from San Antonio, bring more size and defensive capability. Hammonds, a standout at Cibolo Steele High School, earned District MVP honors and was named to the San Antonio Express-News 6A All-Area Super Team. Ross, a dominant presence for Brennan High School, averaged a double-double last season with 13.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game while also contributing 2.9 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
The Roadrunners are entering the 2024-2025 season with a strong mix of veteran leadership and promising young talent. With Jenkins leading the charge, alongside key returners like Udo, Proctor, Love and Guttadauro, UTSA is well-positioned for another successful season. A deep roster, bolstered by a talented freshman class and Coach Aston’s success in transforming the team and fostering a winning culture, has the Roadrunners poised to build on their recent success.
