MAAC_Program_2026_V11_Pages

2025–26 SAINT PETER’S WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

QUICK FACTS LOCATION JERSEY CITY, NJ NICKNAME PEACOCKS COLORS BLUE & WHITE YEAR FOUNDED 1872

WOMEN’S ROSTER

No. Name

Cl. Gr.

Pos. Ht.

Hometown/High School/Previous College

0 Laila Grant

G/F 5-8 Derwood, MD/Academy of Holy Cross/Presbyterian College

PRESIDENT DR. HUBERT BENITEZ ATHLETIC DIRECTOR KATIE ARCURI HOME ARENA RUN BABY RUN ARENA (1,824)

1 Nikola Zdenková R-Jr.

G/F 5-9 Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic/Siena College

2 Jada Mills

Jr.

G 5-9 Norwich, CT/James Madison University

3 Louella Allana 4 Jayshlynn Vega

Sr.

G 5-4 Laval, QC, Canada/Robert Morris University

Fr.

G 5-5 Florida, Puerto Rico/Central Pointe Christian Academy

7 Jineen Ayyash

So.

G/F 5-10 Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township

12 Emily O’Connell 13 De’Naya Rippey

Jr.

G 5-7 London, England/City of London Academy

So.

F

5-10 Brooklyn, NY/Cheshire Academy

14 Carys Roy

Jr.

C 6-3 Cowbridge, Wales/Cowbridge Comprehensive School

15 Layla Laws

Gr.

F 6-0 Pine Beach, NJ/Donovan Catholic and Saint Rose/Saint Francis University

20 Reilly Sunday 22 Sierra Patricio

Sr.

G 5-9 Moon Township, PA/Duquesne Univ./Moon Area G 5-9 Toronto, ON, Canada/Capital Courts Academy

PLAYER TO WATCH De’Naya Rippey, a 5-10 forward from Brooklyn, NY out of Cheshire Academy, joined the Peacocks in 2024-25 and has made an immediate impact for Saint Peter’s in a very short period of time. Last season, Rippey appeared in all 30 games for the Peacocks, including six starts, averaging 6.7 points per game with 4.8 rebounds that included nine double-digit scoring games and two double doubles. This season, Rippey has stepped into the spotlight to be the defacto driver of the Peacock offense. She’s currently averaging 12.2 points per game and 9.0 rebounds which ranks second best in the MAAC, including nine double-doubles and a career high 24 points scored against Niagara. The Cheshire Academy graduate had a historic high school career. A three time NEPSAC all star and the NEPSAC MVP in her senior season. Rippey was also a member of the school honor roll and finished her career as an 1,000 point scorer and was voted as the schools Best All Around Athlete. NOTABLE ALUMNI Millicent Gertrude Sellers, a standout alumna of Saint Peter’s University Women’s Basketball, left an indelible mark both on the court and on the sidelines. A two-time MAAC Regular Season Champion (1989-90, 1992-93) and MAAC Tournament Champion (1981-82, 1982-83), Millicent played a pivotal role in securing two NCAA Tournament appearances for the Peacocks (1991-92, 1992-93). After graduating, Millicent transitioned to coaching, joining the Peacocks’ staff as an assistant in the 1993-94 season and dedicating six years to shaping the next generation of athletes. Her excellence earned her a well-deserved induction into the SPU Hall of Fame in 1999.

Fr.

25 Eszter Turi

Jr.

F/C 6-1 Budapest, Hungary/Siena University

Head Coach: Jennifer Leedham (Franklin Pierce '09) – Fourth Season Associate Head Coach: David Jollon (Thomas Edison College '11) – Fourth Season Assistant Coaches: Johannah Leedham-Warner (Franklin Pierce '10) – Fourth Season, Tay Hughes (Saint Peter's '18) - Third Season, Olivia Tucker (Sacred Heart '23) – Second Season

HEAD COACH JENNIFER LEEDHAM Jennifer Leedham, now in her fourth season as head coach of Saint Peter’s University women’s basketball, has been making strides in building the program since taking over in July 2022. Leedham joined the Peacocks with six years of Division I coaching experience in the New York Metropolitan area, bringing a track record of success and a vision for revitalizing the team’s legacy. Before arriving in Jersey City, she was the associate head coach at St. Francis Brooklyn, where she helped lead the Terriers to one of their best seasons in program history. During the 2021-22 season, St. Francis posted a 17-10 overall record, went 13-3 in Northeast Conference (NEC) play, and set a new program record for wins. Under her leadership, the team led the NEC in scoring oUense (64.7 points per game) and assists per game (14.3). Prior to her success at St. Francis, Leedham spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Wagner College, helping guide the Seahawks to the 2018-19 NEC Tournament. Since stepping into the role at Saint Peter’s, Leedham has worked tirelessly to create a competitive culture and rebuild a program steeped in history. On November 13, 2023, she celebrated a career milestone with her first win at Saint Peter’s, a hard-fought 61-57 victory over Central Connecticut State. Now entering her third year, Coach Leedham is determined to keep pushing the Peacocks forward.

2026 | AIR FORCE RESERVE MAAC MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 75