VINCENNES, Ind., May 8, 2024 – Vincennes University has taken the first step in its effort to fill the roles of its legendary Hall of Fame Coach and Director of Athletics Harry Meeks, who announced his retirement on April 24. VU Assistant Coach Ingrida Hartsfield has been named VU Women’s Basketball Interim Head Coach. Meeks announced her appointment on Wednesday, May 8.

Hartsfield steps into the role of interim coach for one season as Meeks, her mentor, retires with 33 years of service to VU as Director of Athletics and Women’s Basketball Coach.

According to Meeks, “President Johnson and I discussed what is in the best interest of our program and our student-athletes, and we concluded that Ingrida Hartsfield is the best person to fill the role of interim head coach. We believe appointing her will ensure continuity and maintain leadership within the program.”

Citing her experience and seamless integration within the team structure, Meeks believes Hartsfield’s appointment will be integral in VU’s efforts to keep the program strong during the time of transition.

“Having witnessed her growth from VU student-athlete to coach, I’m proud to see Ingrida step into this interim role with a deep understanding of VU culture and traditions,” Meeks said. “Her journey through the VU ranks uniquely positions her to provide continuity for our student-athletes and recruits. She has played an instrumental role in the success of the VU Women’s Basketball program. She possesses a wealth of experience and immense insight into our program’s dynamics. Her seamless transition will ensure onward progress of the program and will foster stability during this period of change.”

She knows the ins and outs of the Trailblazers Women’s Basketball program arguably more than anyone outside of Meeks, VU’s longtime coach.

Hartsfield (then Ingrida Strikas) played for VU from 2010 to 2012. She earned NJCAA All-American Honors in 2012 and graduated from VU with a degree in Criminal Justice. Her VU career catapulted her to NCAA Division I Utah State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

She credits Meeks’ mentorship as instrumental to professional and personal growth, expressing deep gratitude for the guidance she received.

“Throughout my time as both a student-athlete and a coach, Coach Meeks has had a major influence in my life,” Hartsfield said. “He has been instrumental in shaping my coaching style and has instilled in me the values of leadership, integrity, and resilience that are integral to a program’s success. I am incredibly thankful for the lessons learned under his tutelage, and I will carry his wisdom with me as I embark on this new chapter. It’s an honor to lead the team at my alma mater, and I am excited about having the privilege to continue our tradition of excellence on the court and in the classroom.”

Hartsfield is entering her sixth season overall and third consecutive coaching the Trailblazers. Her coaching career began during the 2015-16 season and stretched through the 2017-18 season before she returned to the Trailblazers bench for the 2022-2023 season.

“As I pass the torch to Ingrida Hartsfield, I do so with full confidence in her ability to lead,” Meeks said. “Her dedication, coaching acumen, and never-ending support of Lady Trailblazers basketball have made her a major asset to the program. I am confident that she will excel in her new role as interim head coach, continuing VU’s legacy of excellence on and off the court.”

Hartsfield is excitedly embracing the opportunity to step into the new leadership position, where she will continue to guide a team of talented athletes and contribute to their growth athletically and academically

Originally from Riga, Latvia, Hartsfield carries unique expertise. Her experiences navigating the American collegiate basketball season give her valuable insights into the specific needs of international student-athletes and effectively connecting with players from diverse backgrounds.

“Together, with the support of our players, coaching staff, the VU Athletics Department, the University, and with support from the community, I am confident the VU Women’s Basketball team will have a fantastic season ahead,” Hartsfield said.

VU will strive to build upon an overall record of 19-11 during the 2023-2024 season that saw freshman Destinee Hooks, who is bound for Division I New Mexico, earn 2024 Region 24 Player of the Year honors, as well as being named Freshman of the Year in Region 24 and a 2nd Team All-American, while sophomore Elikya Baseyila earned All-Region 24 honors for the second time.

“Now is the time to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” Hartsfield said. “My immediate priorities are connecting with our student-athletes and finalizing recruiting efforts. By building on the foundation we’ve already laid together, we will ensure the program continues to thrive.”

Basketball has always been a constant in her life. Between coaching stints at VU, Hartsfield and her husband, Jimmie, built the basketball program ‘Whatever it takes basketball’/Buttermilk, which focuses on helping prepare younger players for a higher level of basketball.

A national search for a VU women’s basketball coach will commence in 2025.

UE defeats Drake by a final of 4-1

 NORMAL, Ill. – Wednesday’s 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Championship opener saw the 10^th-seeded University of Evansville softball team earn a 4-1 win over the #7 seed Drake on at Marian Kneer Stadium.

With the win, the Purple Aces earned their first win in the championship since 2013.  Hannah Hood went 1-3 with two RBI, a walk and run to pace the offense.  Zoe Frossard, Alexa Davis and Taylor Howe recorded two hits apiece.  Sydney Weatherford pitched a gem, allowing one run on nine hits.

Frossard looked to get the Purple Aces rolling in the early moments, opening the game with a single to left.  Brooke Voss later reached on an error before the runners were stranded on base.  Sydney Weatherford returned the favor in the bottom of the frame, holding the Bulldogs scoreless with a pair of runners left on base.

Hannah Hood opened the second with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Alexa Davis came through with a bases hit through the right side to bring in Hood and give UE a 1-0 lead.  Davis and Taylor Howe came through once again to get things rolling in the top of the fourth.  The duo each posted their second single of the day to set the table for Marah Wood.  Her RBI groundout made it a 2-0 game.

Weatherford retired eight batters in a row, but with two outs in the bottom of the 4^th, Drake strung together three hits in a row to pick up their first run of the game.

It did not take long for the Aces to respond.  Frossard and Jess Willsey led the 5^th off with back-to-back singles while advancing to second and third on Jenna Nink’s groundout.  That brought Hood to the plate and she came through with a 2-run single that pushed the lead to 4-1.

From there, Weatherford got the job done, shutting down the Bulldogs to clinch the win.  UE advances to face #2 seed UNI on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Sophomore ties for 41^st in final standings

 EAST LANSING, Mich. – Two-time Missouri Valley Conference Individual Champion Kate Petrova completed the NCAA Division I East Lansing Regional on Wednesday.

Petrova wrapped up the third round with a 5-over 77.  Her 3-round tally at Forest Akers West Golf Course finished at 225, tying her for 41^st in the final standings.  Her tournament was highlighted by a 2-under 70 in the first round, which had her tied for 4^th place at the time.

She was the third-highest finishing individual at the event, coming in ahead of golfers from Illinois, Louisville and Western Kentucky.  Individual Lauren Beaudreau of Notre Dame was the medalist, shooting a 5-under 67 on Wednesday to total 204 strokes for the event.  She came in three strokes ahead of Bailey Shoemaker from USC.

On the team side, it was USC taking top honors with an 855.  They defeated Oklahoma State by four strokes with Michigan State coming home third, five shots behind.

Hundley was a freshman at Rio Grande last season

 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After completing a solid freshman season at the University of Rio Grande, Trent Hundley has officially transferred to the University of Evansville men’s basketball program.

The 6-foot-6 forward is a native of Mt. Orab, Ohio where he played at Eastern Brown High School.  In his first season of collegiate basketball, Hundley played in 30 games and averaged 9.0 points and 4.4 rebounds.  Hundley was a 44.8% shooter from the field and was nearly as efficient from outside, hitting 40.9% of his 3-point attempts.

“We are excited about the addition of Trent Hundley to our roster.  Trent is another important piece we needed this offseason in order to continue to add perimeter shooting to our roster.  What we like about Trent is that he is a dynamic scorer.  He is very good at making catch and shoot 3’s but he can also put the ball on the floor and get to his spots,” Purple Aces head men’s basketball coach David Ragland exclaimed.  “Trent has good athletic ability and is very capable of having scoring burst.  Trent comes from a family of hard workers, and he has worked extremely hard on his game so that he can produce the way he has since he has been in college.”

“We felt it was necessary to bring more experience to the group of returners we have and Trent fits our roster perfectly.”

On November 19, 2023. Hundley had his first double digit game of the season with 11 against Ohio Christian.  A week later against Miami Univ.-Hamilton, he connected on 7 of his 13 attempts while going 4-of-7 from outside on his way to 18 points.

As the month of January ended, Hundley was at his best.  Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 22, he averaged 14.4 points per game while recording a season-high 20 points against WVU Tech.  For his efforts, he was named to the 2023-24 All-River States Conference Men’s Basketball Second Team.

“I chose Evansville because of the players, we have the potential to be great, I know Evansville has a great staff, and it’s environment is something I’ve dreamed about playing in since I was a kid,” Hundley said.

Hundley completed his high school career with 1,020 career points, 10^th in the school record book.

Junior was one of the top UE performers this season

 NORMAL, Ill. – The Missouri Valley Conference announced its 2024 All-Conference recognition on Wednesday morning with Sydney Weatherford representing the University of Evansville softball team as a member of the All-Defensive squad.

Weatherford was one of the top performers in all facets of the game for the Purple Aces in 2024.  She anchored the pitching staff with a season ERA of 3.04 while posting an even lower mark (2.83) against MVC opponents.

In three appearances against Illinois State, she allowed one earned run in 8 innings.  One of her top performances of the season came in the road win at Indiana State where she allowed three hits in a complete game shutout win over the Sycamores.  It marked her 7^th win of the season.

The April 19 8-inning win over Murray State saw her go the entire distance allowing three runs on six hits.  In Sunday’s win later that weekend, she allowed two runs, just one being earned.  Weatherford was at her best between March 15 and April 6 as she gave up just eight earned runs in a span of 50 innings of work.

UE opens the championship later today with a 4 p.m. meeting against Drake.