After a 26-5 season that brought UTSA its first regular season conference championship since 2009 and a perfect 13-0 mark at home, the Roadrunners enter 2025–26 with higher expectations than ever. Last year set a new standard for the program, but the roster looks different now. With Jordyn Jenkins, Nina De Leon Negrón and several other key contributors gone, UTSA turns to a mix of returners and newcomers to keep the momentum alive.
There’s no replacing Jordyn Jenkins, who dominated last season en route to winning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding. Her departure to the professional ranks leaves a major void in production and presence. Senior guard Nina De Leon Negrón, the AAC Newcomer of the Year, also exits after being the team’s lead facilitator. Just as significant is the loss of starting guard Sidney Love, who transferred to Texas Tech University after starting nearly every game over the past two seasons. She headlines a wave of transfer departures that includes junior guard Aysia Proctor, junior guard Emma Lucio and junior guard Alexis Parker.
Even so, the Roadrunners return key pieces capable of extending last year’s success. Junior forward Idara Udo is back after leading the AAC in offensive rebounds and becoming one of the conference’s most physical frontcourt presences. She’s joined by senior forward Cheyenne Rowe, who offers a similar skill set with interior toughness, rebounding and post defense. Together, they give UTSA a duo that can anchor the paint and control tempo.
Senior forward Maya Linton also returns after playing a vital role last year as a stretch forward. Her shooting touch and off-ball movement helped space the floor and keep UTSA’s offense fluid. She pairs well with junior guard Siena Guttadauro, who brings calmness and control to the backcourt with her ball-handling and perimeter shooting. The duo’s ability to open up driving lanes and provide floor balance will be crucial as the offense finds its new identity.
Sophomore guard Damara Allen will look to take a significant step forward after earning valuable experience last season. Despite limited minutes, she made her mark as a reliable perimeter defender and contributed in key moments both as a starter and off the bench. Sophomore forward Taylor Ross showed flashes of potential with her blend of perimeter and interior defense, strong rebounding instincts and ability to drive inside and finish through contact. Both players have the tools and system familiarity to grow into important rotation pieces this season.
To address the team’s immediate needs, head coach Karen Aston brought in graduate guard Ereauna Hardaway, a three-year starter at the University of North Texas who finished top five in career assists and helped the Mean Green share a regular-season conference title. Hardaway brings a proven scoring touch and the experience to run the offense right away. Also joining the program is junior guard Saher Alizada, a transfer from South Plains College who adds shooting and spacing.
The freshman class may also have more opportunities than usual, and each player fits well within UTSA’s up-tempo defensive identity. Freshman forward Sema Udo, a 6-foot forward, has the tools to develop into a reliable 3-and-D contributor. She showed the ability to consistently knock down three-pointers in high school while also disrupting plays on the defensive end with blocks and timely steals. Freshman guard Adriana Robles, a confident shooter from Puerto Rico who represented the island’s U18 national team, brings scoring ability and a strong defensive motor. Freshman forward Sanaa Bean, a 6-foot-3 forward from Louisiana, adds size and effort on both ends, especially defensively, where she excels at disrupting shots, securing blocks and stripping the ball inside.
This version of UTSA is younger, less experienced and facing more questions than last year’s team, but the foundation remains the same. Aston has already shown she can build a contender, now the challenge is sustaining that success through player development, smart rotations and team buy-in. Another 26-win campaign may not seem realistic, but this group isn’t starting over. The Roadrunners are embracing new talent to remain competitive near the top of the American Conference and make the deep tournament run in March that eluded them last season.
