Liam MacKenzie – Student Reporter
North Andover, MA – “It’s a new dawn, It’s a new day, It’s a new life,” as Michael Bublé sings in his hit song “Feeling Good”. That sentiment perfectly captures the mood surrounding Merrimack Women’s Basketball, as new head coach Missy Traversi announced the addition of 12 players to the program’s 2026-27.
After Kelly Morrone stepped down as head coach of the Merrimack Women’s Basketball Program following the 2025-26 season, it was clear that roster changes were on the horizon. In addition to losing several players to graduation, the Warriors also saw departures through the transfer portal, leaving significant openings for the program’s next chapter. In this clip below, Coach Traversi briefly discusses the acquisitions made during the offseason.
Commitment #1: Naomi Wilson – The first commitment in this recruiting class to be highlighted is Naomi Wilson, a 6-foot-3 senior transfer from Winthrop University. Originally from Baldivis, Australia, Wilson is one of several international players joining the program. Before committing to Merrimack, Wilson earned NJCAA All-Academic Team honors in 2024 at Weatherford College, showcasing her ability to excel both in the classroom and on the basketball court before continuing her collegiate career at Winthrop.
When talking about Wilson, Coach Traversi said, “A transfer from Winthrop University and a native of Baldivis, Australia, Naomi brings a skilled and physical presence at 6’3. She adds an exciting style of play to our post unit, impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Her leadership, maturity, and experience will be invaluable.”
Commitment #2: Olivia Vick – The second commitment in this recruiting class, and the first player from the United States to be featured, is Olivia Vick, a 5-foot-5 junior guard from Chicago, Illinois. Vick transfers to Merrimack from Trinity College, where she put together a standout 2024-25 season that earned her First Team All-NESCAC and NEWBA All-Region honors.
Traversi emphasized Vick’s impact, stating, “Olivia is a dynamic guard with a high basketball IQ and the ability to both score and facilitate. She excels in ball-screen actions and is an elite perimeter three-point shooting threat. Her experience in high-pressure moments, combined with her competitive edge, makes her a tremendous addition to our program.”
Commitment #3: Emma Dibarboure – Shifting back to the international players joining the program, the third commitment in this recruiting class is Emma Dibarboure, a 6-foot-1 sophomore forward from Madrid, Spain. Among Dibarboure’s accomplishments are a gold medal at the 2021 U14 National Championship and a silver medal at the 2023 U16 National Championship, where she helped lead the Madrid All-Star Team.
Traversi praised Dibarboure’s versatility and impact in the post, saying, “A transfer from Western Michigan and a native of Madrid, Spain, Emma is a skilled back-to-the-basket post player who can score inside, defend the paint, and rebound at a high level. Her size, experience, and versatility will be a welcome addition to our paint presence.”
Commitment #4: Claudia Marina – The fourth commitment from this recruiting class is Claudia Marina, another player from Madrid, Spain. Marina is a 6-foot-1 junior transfer from Florida International University who adds further international experience to the program. Marina also brings academic accolades to Merrimack, having earned the Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal and a spot on the Conference USA Honor Roll during her time at Florida International University.
When discussing Marina’s addition to the program, Coach Traversi said, “A transfer from Florida International University and a native of Madrid, Spain, Claudia is a versatile playmaker who can score at all three levels, create for others, and defend multiple positions. Her experience competing at both the Division I and international levels will bring immediate value to our team.”
Commitment #5: Jamie Kent – The fifth commitment in this recruiting class is Jamie Kent, a 6-foot junior transfer from the University of New Hampshire. Originally from Dublin, California, Kent brings a West Coast presence to the program. Before joining the Warriors, Kent earned numerous accolades during her career at Carondelet High School, including East Bay League Honorable Mention honors, West Coast Jamboree MVP, Nike Tournament of Champions MVP, and Sabrina Ionescu MVP recognition
Speaking on Kent’s addition to the program, Traversi said, “Jamie is a tremendous addition to Merrimack women’s basketball. A transfer from New Hampshire and native of Dublin, California, she brings physicality and versatility to the forward position. She has the ability to take her defender from the pinch post as well as get offensive put-backs. She will dominate the glass, run the floor hard and set a great screen. As a senior, Jamie will provide experience and toughness to our lineup.”
Commitment #6: Samantha Grella – The sixth commitment in this recruiting class is Samantha Grella, the first high school recruit in the class. Grella is a 5-foot-10 prospect from Nutley, New Jersey, who helped lead the New Jersey Shoreshots to the 17U championship game on the AAU summer circuit.
Commenting on Grella’s addition to the program, Traversi said, “Sam brings size and versatility to the guard position, along with the ability to consistently knock down shots and defend multiple positions. What stands out most is her competitive spirit and relentless work ethic. She embodies the type of toughness, character, and commitment that will make her a great fit for our program.”
Commitment #7: Claudia Crespo – The seventh commitment in this recruiting class is Claudia Crespo, another incoming freshman who stands at 6-foot-1 and hails from Zaragoza, Spain, further strengthening the program’s international recruiting class. Before committing to Merrimack, Crespo gained valuable experience competing for Casademont Zaragoza in Spain’s youth basketball system, where she developed against high-level competition and participated in national championship events.
Traversi expressed excitement about adding Crespo to the roster, stating, “Claudia brings a unique combination of size, skill, and versatility to our roster. Her experience competing at a high level in Spain has prepared her to make an immediate impact. We’re excited to watch her grow into an elite two-way player in our program.”
Commitment #8: Mia Carmody – The eighth commitment in this recruiting class is Mia Carmody, a 5-foot-8 freshman from Voorheesville, New York. Carmody is the third high school recruit in the class and adds to the program’s promising group of incoming Freshmen. Before committing to Merrimack, Carmody earned Section II Class B Tournament MVP honors and New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) All-State Second Team recognition after helping lead Voorheesville High School to a sectional championship during the 2024-25 season, including a game-high 32-point performance in the Section II Class B title game.
Traversi praised Carmody’s shooting ability and work ethic, saying, “Mia is an elite shooter with deep range who brings passion, confidence, and an unmatched work ethic to our program. Her ability to stretch the floor, combined with her team-first mentality, makes her a valuable asset on and off the court.”
Commitment #9: Kelsey Miller – The ninth commitment in this recruiting class brings the focus back to the transfer portal with Kelsey Miller, a 6-foot-5 sophomore from Chanhassen, Minnesota, who transfers to Merrimack after beginning her collegiate career at High Point University. Before beginning her collegiate career at High Point, Miller was a four-year varsity winner at Chanhassen High School and recorded two top-eight finishes on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit, while also earning two Academic Letters and four Dean’s List honors.
Discussing what Miller will bring to the Warriors, Traversi said, “Kelsey is a team player who gives us a strong presence in the paint with her size and rebounding ability. She knows what it takes to win coming off a conference championship at High Point University and that experience will help elevate our program.”
Commitment #10: Olivia Borsutzki – The tenth commitment in this recruiting class is Olivia Borsutzki, a 5-foot-11 junior transfer from Xavier University who hails from Munich, Germany, adding another international presence to the Warriors’ roster. Before arriving at Merrimack, Borsutzki represented Germany at the U15, U16, U18, and U20 levels and helped lead her club team to a German National Championship in 2018.
Traversi highlighted Borsutski’s international experience and versatility, saying, “Olivia has the ability to both get to the rim off the bounce and consistently shoot the three. She brings international as well as Big East experience from her time overseas and at Xavier University. She will bring a resilient mindset and maturity to this new roster.”
Commitment #11: Csenge Szomszed – The eleventh commitment in this recruiting class is Csenge Szomszed, the final international addition to the roster. Szomszed is a 6-foot-2 junior transfer from Casper College, a member of the NJCAA. A major accomplishment for the Hungarian native came in the classroom, where she earned a spot on the Casper College President’s Honor Roll, highlighting her academic success in addition to her achievements on the court.
Discussing what Szomszed will bring to the frontcourt, Traversi said, “Csenge is a versatile post player with polished footwork and a strong all-around skill set. She scores efficiently both with her back to the basket and facing up. Her passing ability, along with her inside-out game, makes her a tough matchup for defenders.”
Commitment #12: Jenna Mishou – To close out this year’s recruiting class, the twelfth commitment is Jenna Mishou, a 6-foot-2 freshman from Hanson, Massachusetts, and the final high school recruit added by Missy Traversi and her staff. Before committing to Merrimack, Mishou earned two Patriot League All-Star selections and later received Catholic Central League (CCL) All-Star honors during her time at Archbishop Williams High School.
Commenting on the Massachusetts native, Traversi said, “Jenna is a winner in every sense of the word. She comes from a winning program at Archbishop Williams and brings the competitive toughness, character, and team-first mindset that align perfectly with our culture at Merrimack.”
Closing Thoughts on the Warriors’ Incoming Class – With a blend of experienced transfers, international talent, and promising high school recruits, Missy Traversi and her staff have assembled a well-rounded recruiting class that addresses multiple areas of need for the Warriors. The class features players with championship experience, academic success, international competition backgrounds, and proven production at both the collegiate and high school levels. As these 12 newcomers prepare to join the program, Merrimack will look to build upon its recent progress and take another step forward in the MAAC, making this recruiting class one of the most important foundations for the program’s future.
