Posted: Oct 23, 2025

UVI Lady Buccaneers Set to Tip off 2025-26 Season

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, October 23, 2025 – The Lady Buccaneers of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Women's Basketball team are set to tip off their 2025-26 season, marking their third year in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC). The team is currently ranked 14th in the HBCUAC Preseason poll.

Head coach Stephanie Cooper returns for her second year at the helm of the Lady Buccaneer program. One of the biggest moves made by Coach Cooper this offseason was the addition of Aliyah-Deen Ahmad as the Graduate Assistant for Women's Basketball. Ahmad, a former professional player with a championship pedigree, brings valuable experience from her time playing overseas in Portugal and Croatia.

The Lady Buccaneers will be anchored by four key returning players who are expected to play pivotal roles. Senior forward Kashay Bass, recently named to the Preseason All-HBCUAC Second Team, will lead the squad on both ends of the court as she prepared for her fourth and final season. Senior Lameez Khan returns for her second year and will serve as team captain, while senior Sydney Taylor and junior Ariana Renault, both entering their third year with the team, are anticipated to take on expanded roles this season.

The team faces the challenge of replacing key departures from the previous season, including the 2025 All-HBCUAC Second Team guard Ashukamay'ah Phillips, who was the team's leading scorer, and Maliah LaCour, the second leading scorer.

UVI, which concluded last season with a 3-16 record (3-14 HBCUAC), has utilized the offseason to retool and aims to revitalize the program. The 2025 recruiting class includes six student-athletes transferring into the university, bolstering the Lady Buccaneers' roster. Additionally, the class features one true freshman, Ashlynn Lemos.

"I'm excited about the upcoming season," said Coach Copper. "We have depth and experience that can take us far this year. Our seniors have really bought in and will be leading the way, and our transfer athletes will be great to watch. We have a pretty tough schedule this year, but we will be battle-tested by the time the conference comes around."

For the Lady Buccaneers to have a successful season, they will have to win on the road. Seventeen of their 24 games are scheduled away from their home court at the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The team is set to travel to Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, New Orleans, and Alabama throughout the season.

The first opportunity to see the Lady Buccaneers in action will be on Friday, October 24th, as they compete against St. Thomas University at the Fernandez Family Center in Miami, Florida. The game will be streamed live at 7 pm EST on the Urban Edge Network.