Women's Basketball Set to Start 2025-26 Season at Lawrence Tech

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team opens the season on Tuesday, October 28 when it travels to face Lawrence Tech in Southfield, Michigan at 5:30 p.m. 

The Lady Cougars will also open its week in Bourbonnais, Illinois on Friday, October 31 against (RV) Governors State University and Saturday, November 1, against the host (RV) Olivet Nazarene University in the Chick-Fil-A Classic. Overall, the 2025-26 schedule will face no shortage of strong opposition as there are eight teams on it that are either ranked or receiving votes in the preseason coaches' poll. 

MVNU finished last season with a 15-14 record and finished sixth in the competitive Crossroads League that sent five teams to the NAIA National Tournament last season. In the Crossroads League preseason poll, MVNU was picked to be tied for eighth in the standings. 

A key returner for the Lady Cougars is their senior center from North Canton, Ohio, Angela Roshak. Roshak was named as a member of the All-League First Team in the Crossroads League preseason honors. Last season, Roshak earned All-Crossroads League Honorable Mention, Crossroads League All-Academic Team, Daktronics Scholar Athlete, and CoSIDA Academic All-District Team. Roshak averaged 12 points, eight rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. She also surpassed 1,000 career points at the end of last season. 

Head coach Lauryn VanHoose will be in her first season at MVNU after coming over from Ohio Christian University in the offseason. Coach VanHoose brought in a talented class of freshmen that includes Addy Beard (F / Ostrander, Ohio), Melodie Blubaugh (G / Bellville, Ohio), Abigail Hardwick (G / Cardington, Ohio), and Jenna Brumbaugh (G / West Milton, Ohio). Four transfers were also added and look to play key roles for MVNU. Junior Kylie Leibacher (G/F / Ashland University), junior Lily Shepherd (G / Ohio Christian University), sophomore Sophia Spangler (G / Tiffin University), and redshirt sophomore Anna Swisshelm (F/C / Thomas More University) join the Columbia Blue and Navy in 2025-26. 

MVNU will have the season home opener on homecoming weekend in Ariel Arena on Friday, November 14 when it will host Kentucky Christian University at 5:00 p.m. and will also host Oakland City University on Saturday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. The Lady Cougars open their conference schedule on November 19 in Ariel Arena against the University of Saint Francis. 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.