TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn women's basketball head coach Lora Westling announced the signing of five transfer student-athletes on Thursday morning to round out the 2026-27 roster. The lineup full of incoming Ichabods features three Junior College transfers with one coming from DI and another from the DII ranks.
Westling on signings: "This class of transfers, along with our incoming freshmen, ensure that our program will not be taking a step back after a quality season. I am grateful to my staff for their commitment to reloading our roster with not just talented players, but high-character young women. I'm looking forward to getting started!"
Ellie Buscher | 5-11 | Jr. | Forward | St. Louis, Mo. | Lutheran HS South | State Fair CC
Background: Spent two seasons at State Fair CC averaging 9.6 ppg and 7.9 rpg as a freshman earning Region 16 Second Team honors ... scored 13.3 ppg on 50.0% shooting with 11.6 rpg and 2.9 apg as a sophomore ... helped the Roadrunners to a 29-3 record reaching the national tournament ... named the Region 16 Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year ... named a First Team NJCAA All-American ... played at Lutheran High School South for the Lancers
Personal: Daughter of Dana and Kris Buscher ... has two brothers, Cole and Kyle ... is majoring in education
Westling on Buscher: "Ellie is an All-American and a true two-way player that will make an immediate impact in our forward position. She can score at all three levels and was the defensive player of the year in her conference. Ellie loves to be in the gym played for a hall of fame coach in Nicole (Lindsey) Collier, so she is familiar with what it will take to move the needle in our league."
Addy Engel | 5-9 | Jr. | Guard | Morton, Illinois | Morton HS | Illinois Central College
Background: Spent two seasons at Illinois Central College ... earned First Team All-Mid-West Conference honors and First Team All-Region 24 as a freshman averaging 12.9 ppg on 55.2% shooting ... repeated All-Conference and All-Region honors as a sophomore ... NJCAA National All-Tournament Team member as a sophomore ... averaged 13.4 ppg on 57% shooting with 4.5 rpg and 1.9 spg ... helped the Cougars to a 32-5 record finishing 4th at the NJCAA DII National Tournament ... earned NJCAA All-Academic First Team honors both seasons ... played four seasons at Morton HS ... helped the Potters to a 29-6 record as a sophomore ... earned Second Team All-Conference as a junior scoring 11.2 ppg ... was a First Team IBCA All-State selection as a senior with AP All-State Honorable Mention honors ... First Team All-Conference scoring 15.2 ppg with 2.0 spg ... participated in IBCA Senior All-Star Game ... earned academic honors all four years
Personal: Daughter of Christy and Chat Engel ... has a brother, Caleb ... majoring in exercise and rehabilitation science
Westling on Engel: "Addy plays incredibly hard and makes an impact on the floor in a lot of areas. She can make the crunch time plays but still makes everyone around her better. She is coming to us from one of the best junior college programs in the country, so she knows what it takes to be successful on and off the floor."
Sarah Gatwech | 6-0 | So. | Guard | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln North Star HS | East Texas A&M
Background: Spent one season at East Texas A&M where she played in seven games logging 11.1 mpg ... tallied 37 total points on 50.0% shooting from the floor and was 5-11 from 3-point range ... scored a career-high 23 points in on Nov. 3, 2025 against UNT-Dallas ... played in high school at Lincoln North Star for the Gators
Personal: Is majoring in kinesiology
Westling on Gatwech: "Sarah is a tremendous athlete that we are very excited to have on our roster. She has a natural rhythm to the game that sets her apart and we can't wait to get her into our development system. Sarah is a three-level scorer that can get downhill at an elite level. She will cause some matchup problems for our opponents in the near future."
Ta'Leeyah Glynn | 5-4 | Sr. | Guard | Lubbock, Texas | Canyon HS | Clarendon CC | Midwestern State
Background: Began her collegiate career at Clarendon Community College playing in 64 games and making 44 starts ... averaged 8.6 ppg and 2.2 spg as a freshman helping the Bulldogs to a 21-11 record ... as a sophomore averaged 14.1 ppg while shooting 42.5% from beyond the arc on 153 attempts ... at Midwestern State as a junior led the team with 698 minutes across 26 games with 22 starts ... averaged 9.2 ppg with 2.2 rpg ... led team with 28 3-pointers was second with 49 steals ... played two seasons at Canyon HS earning First Team All-District honors as a junior ... repeated as a senior while adding All-Region honors ... was a member of National Honor Society while participating in track and cross country as well finishing as a state runner-up in the 4x4 as a sophomore
Personal: Daughter of Tonny and Ashley Glynn ... has two brothers, Tonny and Joe, along with a sister, Taytum ... dad played football at New Mexico State and brother played football at Texas Tech ... majoring in integrated studies with a focus in kinesiology
Westling on Glynn: "Ta'Leeyah will bring valuable experience and maturity to our guard line. She can score the ball in a lot of ways and possesses great defensive instincts. T is no stranger to playing in a high-level NCAA Division II conference and is as competitive as they come. Her leadership and presence will be huge for us this year."
Olivia Wren | 5-8 | Jr. | Guard | Minneapolis, Minn. | Minneapolis Roosevelt HS | Kirkwood CC
Background: Spent two seasons at Kirkwood Community College playing in 69 games with career averages of 9.0 ppg on 37.4% shooting with 111 made 3-pointers ... averaged 2.9 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.8 spg in her time with the Eagles ... was a Third Team All-Region selection as a freshman ... earned First Team All-Region honors as a sophomore and was named a Second Team All-American ... earned First Team All-Academic honors both seasons ... played in high school at Minneapolis Roosevelt for the Teddies and with her club team Minnesota Diamond Elite
Personal: Is majoring in social work
Westling on Wren: "Olivia is known for her ability to knock down from the perimeter, but she brings an intensity to the floor that drew our attention immediately. She plays with fire and a competitive mentality that our fans will love. She is coming off an All-American caliber season and has only lost seven games in her two years of collegiate basketball so winning is in her blood."
