UE women’s basketball adds two on National Signing Day
The Purple Aces welcome two guards to the 2025 class
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team has officially signed shooting guard Sydney Huber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Mount Vernon HS) and guard BreAunna Ward (St. Louis / John Burroughs School) to its 2025 recruiting class.
“I am thrilled that Sydney and BreAunna have chosen to join Evansville Women’s Basketball!” says Head Coach Robyn Scherr. “Both of them will complement our talented group of returners and bring a dynamic set of skills to our program! Additionally, they are both winners, each with a state championship under their belt. Sydney’s volleyball team won a state championship a week ago, and BreAunna’s high school team won a state championship last year!”
The Purple Aces’ first verbal commitment over the summer was 6-0 shooting guard Sydney Huber from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Huber comes from a decorated women’s basketball family as her mother Stacy was an All-American at Iowa State from 1996 to 2000 and drafted by one of the original eight WNBA teams, the Utah Starzz. Along with her mom, both of Huber’s aunts Brenda Frese and Martha Frese played college basketball. Brenda is currently the Head Coach at Maryland while Marsha is an assistant coach at Loyola Chicago.
“Sydney is a bigger guard that can shoot the heck out of the ball from deep range,” says Coach Scherr. “She can shoot in transition, off of screens, and off the dribble with a very quick release. She can also use her size and length to put pressure on the rim with cuts, drives, and posting up smaller defenders. She is a versatile guard that will create a lot of match-up problems for our opponents. Sydney fits in perfectly with our current freshman class in that she is a gym rat, and she loves the game.”
Heading into her senior season at Mount Vernon High School, Huber has already been part of two state championship teams for both basketball and volleyball. Huber was with the Mustangs as part of their 4A 2022 Freshman Championship while also just winning a state title in volleyball as the 2024 3A Champions. With the Mustangs basketball team, Huber was also part of a 4A state quarterfinal run in her sophomore year and a 3A state semifinal run last year. Individually Huber has been named to All-Conference teams twice and was named First Team All-State last season while averaging 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, three assists, and two steals a game.
“I am so excited to officially sign with the University of Evansville,” says Huber. “I’m very thankful to Coach Robyn and the entire staff for their belief in me. I can’t wait to compete at the collegiate level and be part of the UE community!” Huber plans to major in biology and business at Evansville to become a dentist. She is the daughter of Brian and Stacy Huber who both worked at UE from 2001-04 as Stacy was an assistant coach under former Head Coach Tricia Cullop while Brian was the Assistant Director of the Fitness Center and Intramural Sports. Huber has two younger siblings, brother Will and sister Lauren.
The Aces’ second addition to the 2025 signing class is 5-10 guard BreAunna Ward. Ward comes to UE as a three-sport athlete at John Burroughs School in Saint Louis. Along with basketball Ward plays volleyball in the fall and runs track in the spring. Ward also comes from a basketball family as her older brother BJ is the Southeast Missouri men’s basketball team’s leading scorer through two games as a sophomore.
“BreAunna is a long, athletic guard that can play in multiple spots,” says Coach Scherr. “I love how disruptive Bre is as a press defender. She is a player that makes everyone around her better. She is an unselfish teammate and will do whatever the team needs to be successful. If she needs to create for others, she will do that. She doesn’t care about stats; she cares about winning. That said, she can score in a variety of ways from getting to the rim on drives to shooting the three,”.
Ward has also been on multiple championship teams while at John Burroughs. With the Bombers Ward was part of the team’s 2022 Class 4 State Championship and their 2024 Class 5 State Championship. Individually Ward has been named three times to All-District teams and All-Conference teams and was named to the 2024 All-Tournament team. Ward also played AAU basketball with the Missouri Phenom who placed second in the Nike Nationals in 2022.
“I’m incredibly excited to attend Evansville and play basketball under Coach Robyn and her amazing coaching staff,” says Ward. “I can’t wait to contribute to the program and learn from such wonderful coaches. The opportunity to be part of this talented group is something I’m truly looking forward to and thankful for!” Ward will major in biochemistry at UE with hopes of becoming an anesthesia specialist. She is the daughter of Brian and Aunna Ward and has five older siblings, brothers Brandon, BJ, and Bryan, and sisters Bria and Brandy.
