Taliyah Hopkins
Senior
5-11 
Guard
Cheektowaga, N.Y.
Previous Schools: Niagara Community College and Queens College

Taliyah is versatile guard from Cheektowaga, N.Y. Taliyah spent time at both Niagara Community College and Queens College. At Niagara, Taliyah was named a 3rd team NJCAA All-American averaging 13.8 ppg and 6.0 rpg. At Queens, she averaged 7.5 ppg, and 3.6 rpg.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"Taliyah is an incredibly gifted athlete, who has the ability to score, defend, and rebound at a very high level. Her length and athleticism paired with her skill set at the wing position are very rare at this level. I have extremely high expectations for Taliyah and am looking forward to a great Senior year, both on and off the court from her."    

Erykah Russell
RS-JR
6-2
Forward
West Babylon, N.Y.
Previous Schools: Western Carolina & LIU Brooklyn

Erykah joins the University of Charleston women's basketball program transferring from LIU Brooklyn. Erykah also spent some time at Western Carolina University where she began her college career. Erykah sat out her freshman year at WCU due to injury. During her redshirt-freshman season campaign at WCU, Erykah averaged 3.5 ppg, and 4.8 rpg. Erykah then transferred to LIU Brooklyn where she averaged 9.7 ppg and 7.0 rpg while only appearing in three games.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"Erykah is a dominant force in the post, with great size, speed, and athleticism. Her impact at the Division 1 level was felt immediately by her previous teams, and we are excited for her to bring that experience and talent here to Charleston.

I am excited for her to find a home here at UC and excel in the classroom and on the court."

Anastasiia Zakharova
Junior
5-11
Guard 
Moscow, Russia
Previous School: Northwest Florida State College

Nastia transferred to Charleston from Northwest Florida State College. Nastia is a native of Moscow. Russia. During her time at NW Fl Nastia played a crucial 6th man role. She came off the bench and provided immaculate energy for the team. The Red Raiders finished as one of the top junior college teams in the country.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"Nastia brings great skill, size, leadership, work ethic, and a winning mentality to our program. She has played on the big stage, and her experience playing for one of the top Junior College programs in the country, with some of the best players in the country will be extremely valuable to our team. We are very excited to have her here at UC."

Ana Valero
Sophomore
6-3
Forward  
Zaragoza, Spain
Previous School: Indiana State University

Ana transferred to Charleston from Indiana State University. Ana is a native of Zaragoza, Spain. During her time at Indiana State, Ana appeared in 9 games at ISU. She provided great size and effort to her team at ISU.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"At 6'3, Ana will make an immediate impact in the post for us. She is extremely skilled and has a very high basketball IQ both offensively and defensively. I am thrilled that she is bringing a high level of Division 1 playing experience to our program and will continue to help us build our culture here."

Embla Andersson
Redshirt Sophomore
6-1
Forward  
Stockholm, Sweden
Previous School: Eastern Florida State College

Embla transferred to Charleston from Eastern Florida State College. Embla is a native of Stockholm, Sweden. Embla suffered an MCL tear during the beginning of her sophomore season at EFSU. In her freshman campaign, Embla averaged 3.7ppg, and 1.7rpg.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"Embla is a very unique talent at 6'1, with the skillset of a guard and physical stature of a post player. Her ability to stretch the floor and play and defend multiple positions will make her extremely valuable to our team. She has played at a very high level both domestically and internationally, and I am excited for her to continue her career here at UC."

Megan Haines
Freshman
5-6
Guard  
London, England

Megan comes to Charleston from London, England where she competed on the Great Britain U18 National Team. Megan averaged 15.6ppg, shooting 50% from the field. Megan earned a WEABL Player of the Week award after dropping 30 points in a regular season game, shooting 9-21 from the field.

Quote from Coach Burke:
" Megan is one of the most fearless competitors, tireless worker, and leader of teammates that I have seen. Her ability to push tempo, get other players involved, and score the basketball are very rare at her position at this level. She will bring a very high level of international playing experience to our program, which will be inval

Trinity Palacio
Freshman
5-6 
Guard 
Alexandria, Va.

Trinity comes to Charleston from Alexandria, Va. Trinity graduated and played at T.C. Williams High School. During her senior campaign she averaged 16.5 ppg, and 5.0 apg. She finished her high school career with 1,440 points and 501 assists. She is a three-time all-state performer and was awarded the 'She Got Game' MVP.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"Trinity is the definition of a true point guard. Her basketball IQ, ability to get her teammates involved, and score when asked, are what will separate her. She fits our identity defensively, being one of the best on ball defenders that we will have on our team. Trinity is an excellent person, student, and teammate. Without question, she will make our program better."

Dakota Reeves
Freshman
5-7
Guard 
Cincinnati, Ohio

Dakota comes to Charleston from Cincinnati Ohio. Dakota graduated and played at West Clermont High School; she is a sharp shooter with deep range. In her senior campaign she averaged 13.3 ppg, and 5.0 rpg. Dakota shot 47.0 percent from the field and 46.3 percent from the three-point line.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"Dakota is arguably the best pure shooter in the class of 2019 to come out of the state of Ohio. Her ability to shoot the basketball is unlike anything I have seen at this level. She will allow us to space the floor and provide numerous scoring opportunities both for herself and her teammates. She is an incredibly hard worker with a hunger to grow and improve."

Emily Simon
Freshman
5-11
Guard/Forward
Hillard, Ohio

Emily comes to Charleston from Hillard Ohio. Emily graduated and played at Hillard Davidson High School. As a senior Emily averaged 15.1ppg, and 8.6rpg. Emily is the all-time leading scorer at Hillard Davidson High School.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"I am very excited about Emily Simon. She is one of those players that don't necessarily have a "true" position but will find their way into the rotation because of all the intangibles they bring. Emily is a great athlete, with an excellent all-around skill set to match her work ethic. I am looking forward to Emily's contributions to our program and University."

Mia Andrews
Freshman
5-9
Guard
Horsham, Pa.

Mia comes to Charleston from Horsham, Pa. Mia graduated and played at Archbishop Wood High School. Mia averaged 11.5 ppg, and 3.2 apg. She was also selected for the USA Women's U17 Basketball Trials.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"Mia is a tough, hard-nosed, competitor, who is willing to do anything that is asked of her. She will be able to play multiple positions for us and has a very high basketball IQ. Mia has played on Championship teams and will bring a winning mentality to our program. She is one of the most coachable players that I have ever been around and will make everyone around her better."

LaDaesha Payne
Freshman
5-7
Cincinnati, Ohio

LaDaesha comes to Charleston from Cincinnati, Ohio. LaDaesha graduated and played at Winton Woods High School During her senior campaign she averaged 8.0 ppg, 3.4 apg, and 4.5 rpg.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"LaDaesha is very excited for the opportunity to play at UC and do whatever is asked of her to contribute to this team. She brings a toughness, and hunger to get better that will rub off on all of her teammates. I am looking forward to seeing what this season and the next four years have in store for her both on and off the court."

Shamiah Bridges
Freshman
5-5
Guard
Picayune, Miss.

Shamiah comes to Charleston from Picayune, Miss. Shamiah graduated and played at Picayune Memorial High School. As a senior, she averaged 10.0 ppg, 7.0 apg, and 5.0 rpg. She was named a team captain, and best defensive player for her team.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"Shamiah is extremely excited to join our program here at UC. She is a very gifted athlete with the ability to contribute to our team in multiple ways. I am excited for her to come in and learn from some of our veteran players and seize her opportunity when that time comes. We are really excited to have Shamiah join us."

Lexi Adkins
Freshman
5-9 
Guard/Forward
Barboursville, W. Va.

Lexi comes to Charleston from Barboursville, W. Va. Lexi graduated and played at Cabell Midland High School. As a senior she averaged 10.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg and 8.0 spg.

Quote from Coach Burke:
"Lexi is a player and person that you need in your program. She is a player that will excel here at UC because she embodies everything that we stand for in our program. She is a competitor, a winner, and a great teammate. I am excited to watch her develop and grow as both a person and player during her time here at UC."