QUINCY, Ill. – A new chapter of Quincy University women's basketball begins this season under the guidance of first-year head coach
Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger, a QU alum who returns home after a coaching stint at John Wood Community College. Schwagmeyer-Belger inherits a program coming off a historic 2024–25 campaign that included a GLVC Tournament Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. With a mix of returning experience, a large and talented transfer class, and a deep group of freshmen, the Hawks are primed to continue their momentum and build toward sustained success.
Returners
Acheampomaa Danso – #1 – Senior – Center – 6'0" – Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Danso was a cornerstone of the Hawks' GLVC title run last year and returns for her senior season as a reliable post presence. Starting all 33 games as a junior, she averaged 8.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and led the team with 32 blocks (1.0 per game). She shot a team-best .566 from the field and added even more of a defensive impact outside of blocked shots with 1.1 steals per game. Known as a dominant back-to-the-basket post player, Danso provides consistent inside scoring while anchoring the paint with disciplined, high-level defense. Entering her fourth year in the program, she is poised to be a vocal leader and steadying presence for a roster filled with new faces, setting the tone on both ends of the floor.
Sydney Runsewe – #15 – Redshirt Junior – Guard – 5'7" – Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Runsewe enters her fourth year in the program, bringing valuable experience and leadership to the backcourt with a lot of new faces. Over three seasons she has appeared in 32 games, contributing as a steady presence who can stretch the floor with her perimeter shooting. Though her minutes have been limited, her maturity and ability to knock down threes give her an important role in the guard rotation.
Katrina Stack – #22 – Sophomore – Power Forward/Center – 6'2" – St. Charles, Ill.
As a freshman, Stack appeared in 14 games, gaining valuable experience in a crowded frontcourt. The 6-2 power forward/center showed flashes of her potential with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks in limited minutes. With her size and strength, Stack has the tools to impact the game both inside and on the perimeter. She enters her second season ready to expand her role as a physical defender and stretch option in the frontcourt.
Transfers
Katey Flynn – #3 – Junior – Guard – 5'10" – Mt. Sterling, Ill.
Flynn brings scoring ability and GLVC experience after stops at John Wood Community College and Maryville. She burst onto the scene at JWCC, averaging 19.8 points and 7.1 rebounds as a freshman while earning First Team All-Conference, NJCAA All-Region, and Freshman of the Year honors. At Maryville, she gained experience against GLVC competition and looks to transfer it over to Quincy. At 5-10, Flynn adds size to the backcourt and will be counted on as a versatile guard who can score, rebound, and defend.
Blair Eftink – #20 – Junior – Guard – 5'7" – Quincy, Ill.
A familiar face to local fans, Eftink starred at Quincy Notre Dame before two standout seasons at John Wood. After a limited freshman year, she exploded as a sophomore, averaging 19.3 points while knocking down 92 threes at a 36.2 percent clip. She scored 20+ points in 13 games, including a career-high 36, and showed her ability to rebound and facilitate. Eftink's scoring punch and perimeter shooting make her one of the most dangerous offensive weapons on the Hawks' roster.
Bryleigh Fox – #21 – Sophomore – Guard – 5'9" – Winchester, Ill.
Fox was another high-volume scorer at John Wood, averaging 19.2 points as a freshman across just five games before her season was cut short. Despite the small sample size, she proved she could be an efficient three-level scorer who can impact the game in multiple ways. On the defensive end, she also showed her disruptive ability, racking up nine steals in just five games. With her scoring versatility and defensive tenacity, Fox has the potential to be an immediate spark in QU's guard rotation.
Hampton Williams – #23 – Senior – Forward – 5'10" – Salina, Kan.
Williams provides experience and versatility after time at Abilene Christian and Kansas Wesleyan. A strong, athletic forward, she averaged 9.9 points and 7.4 rebounds as a junior while recording seven double-doubles. Her ability to defend multiple positions, rebound aggressively, and provide secondary scoring makes her a valuable veteran addition to Coach Schwagmeyer-Belger's system.
Olivia Lawson – #25 – Sophomore – Guard – 5'9" – West Plains, Mo.
Lawson was another key player at John Wood last season, starting 10 games and averaging 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. She also showed her toughness on the defensive end with 2.4 steals per game. Lawson's balanced game allows her to contribute in multiple ways, whether it's scoring, rebounding, facilitating, or causing havoc on the defensive end.
Freshman
Karly Peters – #0 – Guard – 5'9" – Camp Point, Ill.
A standout multi-sport athlete at Camp Point Central, Peters brings toughness and leadership to the Hawks. She was named to the Class 2A All-State Second Team in basketball and set her school's record for deflections, while also excelling in softball, where she earned First Team All-State honors and set a school batting average record.
Sydney Compton – #4 – Forward – 5'10" – Palmyra, Mo.
Compton arrives as one of the most decorated players in Palmyra history, scoring over 1,500 career points while earning All-Conference, All-Academic, and All-State honors in basketball and track. Her scoring ability and athletic versatility make her a strong fit in any system.
Brynlee Clarke – #11 – Forward – 5'10" – Brazil, Ind.
Clarke was both a standout student and athlete at Northview High, graduating at the top of her class while scoring over 1,000 career points. A three-time All-Conference honoree, she helped lead her team to a WIC Conference title and a Sectional Championship in 2025.
Reagan Reed – #12 – Forward – 5'11" – Carthage, Ill.
Reed starred in both volleyball and basketball at Illini West, finishing as the school's all-time leading scorer in basketball while also surpassing 1,000 kills in volleyball. Her competitive edge and multi-sport background give her a unique toughness.
Hayven Harden – #14 – Forward/Center – 5'11" – Downers Grove, Ill.
Harden brings interior strength and rebounding after a record-setting career at Downers Grove South. She became the program's all-time leader in rebounds in a game (19), surpassed 1,000 career points, and set the mark for highest two-point field goal percentage. She also helped her team capture three West Gold Division titles.
Maddie Casey – #24 – Guard – 5'7" – North Liberty, Iowa
Casey was a sharpshooter at Iowa City Liberty, earning a spot on the IBCA Academic All-State Team while hitting over 200 career three-pointers in her career. Her ability to stretch the floor will be a valuable weapon for QU's perimeter attack.
Liv Vaughan – #30 – Forward – 5'10" – Metamora, Ill.
Vaughan was a steady performer at Metamora, twice named Offensive MVP while also leading her team in free throw percentage. She also earned recognition as a Journal Star Athlete of the Week, highlighting her impact within a competitive program.
Kamora Davis – #32 – Center – 5'11" – Belleville, Ill.
Davis, a four-year varsity starter at Althoff Catholic, averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds as a senior while earning Gateway Metro All-Conference honors. She helped lead her team to a conference championship and adds size and physicality to QU's frontcourt.
Tonijah Bush – #34 – Center – 6'2" – Maywood, Ill.
Bush adds length and interior presence at 6-2. A product of Proviso West and the elite AAU program Illinois Game Time, she enters college with valuable competitive experience. Paired with veteran leader Danso, Bush will have the chance to develop under strong guidance in the paint.
Looking Ahead
With just three returners, a highly decorated transfer class, and a deep group of freshmen, the Hawks will look different under first-year head coach
Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger, but expectations remain high. The QU alum has built a roster with local talent, transfers from her John Wood pipeline, and a versatile freshman class that will provide both immediate contributors and long-term depth.
The Hawks will open the 2025–26 season on the road with an exhibition at Western Illinois on October 28 before beginning regular season play at the GMAC/GLVC Challenge in Kirksville, Missouri. QU will face Cedarville on November 14 at 7:30 PM and Ursuline on November 15 at 5:15 PM. The Hawks then return home to Pepsi Arena for their season debut, hosting the Hansen Spear Classic on November 21–22, where they will take on Missouri Southern and Purdue Northwest.
With a new era beginning under Schwagmeyer-Belger and a roster full of talent and depth, Quincy looks ready to defend its conference crown and make Pepsi Arena an exciting destination this winter.
