WBB inks four '23 signees

We are so excited about our 2023 class and believe this could very well be one of the best women's basketball classes that our program has ever signed. I appreciate the diligence of my staff in evaluating and recruiting this class. Recruiting literally never stops, and this class is evidence of great teamwork from our staff in pursuing some of the top players in both Texas and Oklahoma.

This class meets the needs of our team and then some. They are incredibly talented individuals, who together will make an immediate impact as a class next season. Not only are they skilled basketball players, but also high character women who will thrive in the ACU atmosphere while also being leaders on our campus.

I chose ACU because it truly felt like home the moment my recruiting process began. The Christian community, family environment, and welcoming coaches and players made it feel like the small town I grew up in. I'm excited to be able to take this opportunity to continue my basketball career and grow as a person surrounded by great people. Coach Goodenough and her staff have been amazing to myself and my family. I look forward to the next few years of being a Wildcat. I hope to bring a lot of energy and excitement to the court.

Payton Hull, first and foremost, is a great person. She is a high-character kid and an excellent student athlete. On the court, she can just about do it all. She can score in a variety of ways, she is a great defender, and is a great teammate. I look forward to seeing the great things she does at ACU.

This is a multi-sport athlete at its finest. Payton has been successful in every sport in high school. She is a proven winner and elevates the level of play of everyone around her. She goes straight from one sport to the next and never misses a beat. Payton is a high-level scorer who reads the defense very well and creates scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Her athleticism will be welcomed on both ends of the court.

I’m so excited to finally get to sign with ACU. From the beginning, I was incredibly impressed by the atmosphere present in the women’s basketball program. Their priorities were clear. They loved the Lord, they loved basketball, and they were driven to help each other in both of those areas. This focus was cultivated by a coaching staff that boldly lived out their faith in life and on the court. I cannot wait to join these ladies as we strive to become what God intended us to be. I’m grateful for all of my coaches, teammates, and family that have been vital to my development to this point. Thank you, God, for holding my future in Your hands. Thank you, Abilene Christian Women’s Basketball, for believing in me. I can’t wait to be a Wildcat.

Meredith is an amazing young lady and player. She moves on the court with ease, grace and poise. She has worked hard to refine her skills and takes pride in her rebounding ability. She is unstoppable in the paint but often prefers to kick out for an assist. Even with her selfless play, she has averaged a double double in points and rebounds the last two years. She helps elevate the play of her teammates on the court with her. Mere is characterized by her kind and motherly demeanor. If anyone has a problem, they can count on Mere to counsel, encourage and help them. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow and blossom into such a young lady of faith and compassion.

It is not often that we recruit players off of the same high school team, but with Meridith and Gracy, we think we have found a winning combination. Together they play very in-sync with one another. Meredith is a prolific scoring threat in the lane. She is strong and plays with such toughness as she creates space in the low post. I have watched many of Meredith's games and can say that I have not seen her take a bad shot. She has a soft touch around the basket and is a good finisher, but is a great distributor to shooters when she is covered in the post. Her back to the basket presence will be invaluable to our team.

I chose ACU because of the coaching staff and players along with Christ being the central focus at Abilene Christian University. My life verse is 2 Chronicles 15:7, “But as for you be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.” God has been faithful to His word. I would like to thank God, my family, my coaches and my teammates for helping me live by this and to be in the position I am in now. I am so excited for the next four years to grow in my faith, get an incredible education and to win a WAC Championship.

Gracy is one of the most hardworking and dedicated players I've ever coached. She has set goals and keeps improving her skill set as a player year after year. Shes our clutch player. When we need a bucket, she wants the shot and her teammates and I trust her to make it. She goes above and beyond and strives for excellence in all her endeavors both on and off the court. She is a stellar student, a BHS Student of the Month, and an excellent role model. As a leader she provides direction and guidance to the underclassmen. She is a remarkable young lady of high character and faith. I am honored to be a part of her journey as her coach.

I really appreciate Gracy's court vision and ability to get her teammates involved. She plays for two great coaches, summer ball with her mother, Kara Wernli, a former OSU player, and high school ball with an Oklahoma legend, Tina Thomas. It is obvious that she is coachable and has learned to be a great floor leader who wants to be in charge in pressure situations. She is able to score in a variety of ways and is also a tough defender.

I chose ACU because I get to talk about Christ everyday, I will receive a great education, and I get to play the sport I love. I am super excited to play under Coach Goodenough and her staff and to be a part of the culture they created. The fans can expect for me to be all-in, all the time.

Emma is one of those driven athletes that is a privilege to coach. She is a four-year starter in basketball and a team leader all four years. Emma is a high-character individual and is a reflection of her parents. They have grounded Emma with a solid base and the ability to stand for what she believes in. I look forward to watching her career at ACU.

You want to know what grit and toughness look like on the basketball court, watch Emma for just a few minutes and you will quickly see that displayed. She is a phenomenal rebounder who is relentless about going after loose balls and making hustle plays. We are excited about Emma's versatility to play on the perimeter as well as in the paint.