Dayton Flyers women’s basketball coach Tamika Williams-Jeter took her team on a one-night retreat to the Athletes in Action complex in Xenia earlier this month. During the retreat, the team practiced, shared meals, and participated in various activities, including a ropes course. Williams-Jeter opted for the easier lower-level course rather than the more challenging high ropes course.
“It was really good,” she said, expressing her desire to make this retreat an annual event. With eight new players on a 15-member roster, this offseason bonding experience was crucial. As she enters her third season at Dayton, Williams-Jeter aims to build on the team’s progress after last season’s 12-19 finish, following a 7-21 record in her first year.
“With the portal, teams are changing dramatically,” Williams-Jeter noted. “We’re not just bringing in freshmen who will stick around for years; we’ve essentially revamped the entire team.” The Flyers added five transfers: Shantavia Dawkins, a junior guard from Iowa State; Rikki Harris, a graduate guard from Ohio State; Jayda Johnson, a sophomore guard from Boston College; Ajok Madol, a sophomore guard/forward from Minnesota; and Nicole Stephens, a graduate guard from Columbia.
The 2024-25 roster also features three freshmen: Olivia Leung, a 5-10 guard from Calgary; Kamryn Grant, a 6-0 guard from Africentric High School in Columbus; and Molly O’Riordan, a 6-2 forward/center from Barrington, Illinois.
The top returning players include Ivy Wolf, a senior guard who led the team with an average of 11.9 points per game, and Arianna Smith, a senior forward who was third on the team with 9.2 points. Other returning players who averaged significant playing time are Shannon Wheeler, a senior forward; Nayo Lear, a junior guard; Eve Fiala, a sophomore center; and Denika Lightbourne, a sophomore guard.
Williams-Jeter commented on the improvement of her players, noting, “Nayo has made a big jump. Removing her from point guard will be significant. Ivy is still her competitive self, excelling in shooting drills. (Arianna) brings valuable experience as one of the top rebounders in the country. Eve greatly improved last year, and with Colleen (Day Henderson) helping her with post work and shooting, she has the potential to be really good. All the returners have progressed, and the competition is fierce. If you don’t bring your best, there are talented, experienced players ready to take your spot, which ultimately makes everyone better.”
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Everyone has been on campus and in good health this summer.
“This is the first time I have a few players with experience who have participated in the NCAA tournament multiple times,” Williams-Jeter remarked.
Stephens played 11 minutes for Columbia in a 72-68 defeat to Vanderbilt during the First Four in March, averaging 4.4 points over 19.1 minutes per game throughout her three seasons.
Harris also averaged 4.4 points in 17.3 minutes per game during her fourth year at Ohio State, scoring seven points across 32 minutes in two NCAA tournament games this past season. She has played in nine NCAA tournament games over the last three years.
“With those two players in the gym, the team mentality and ownership have improved significantly,” Williams-Jeter noted.
Williams-Jeter and her coaching staff had several scholarships available this spring. They lost three players to the portal, including Coldwater graduate Riley Rismiller, who transferred to Kent State, along with two others, Destiny Bohanon and Mariah Perez, due to graduation.
“You’re under pressure,” she said. “You have to make tough decisions about who to keep and who to let go.”
Williams-Jeter aimed to recruit at least four transfers, ultimately adding five to create a roster of 14 scholarship players, along with walk-on Eleanor Monyek.
“Signing Rikki was a significant gain for us,” she said.
Williams-Jeter anticipates that at least two of the three freshmen will see substantial playing time.
“We have some young, talented players, as well as experienced ones, and athletes who know what it takes to win. You can have experience with losing, but we’ve brought in some winners who understand what success looks and feels like,” she explained.
Other coaches have mentioned to Williams-Jeter that the team will truly reflect her vision in its third year, which aligns with her current goals.
“For us, it was all about having that vision,” she stated. “The standard remains the same at the University of Dayton regardless of the coaching staff—you have to win. That’s what people expect, and that’s why I’m here. I thrive on that challenge. However, gaining experience is crucial. I’ve learned that the only way to improve as a head coach is to face the pressure and gain experience. After two years, you start to understand what kind of players succeed in conference play and what it takes to achieve a winning record in non-conference games.”
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