Women’s Basketball Adds Three in Spring Signing Period

OMAHA, Neb. – Head coach Brittany Lange announced the addition of three student-athletes Tuesday afternoon. Joining the Omaha women's basketball program for the 2019-20 season are freshman Ella Ogier and junior college transfers Mikaela Ekdahl and Isabella Lopez.

"We are thrilled to add three talented, experienced guards to our backcourt," said Lange. "Mikaela, Izzy and Ella bring infectious energy and competitiveness that will be able to impact us immediately."

Mikaela Ekdahl
G, 5-7, Uppsala, Sweden (Celsiusskolan/Broward College)
Ekdahl was a two-year starting point guard at Broward College under coach Brian McCormick, helping lead her team to a 22-8 record and a No. 21 national ranking. In 2018-19, Ekdahl was an NJCAA Academic All-American and earned second-team all-conference honors. Over her career, she served as a team captain and facilitated a Broward offense, dishing out 3.0 assists per game while shooting 38.0% from the floor and 85% at the free throw line.

Ekdahl competed at the highest levels internationally and helped her Celsiusskolan team to the U19 Swedish Championship during her senior year.

"Mikaela is a true point guard in every sense and will add depth as a floor general," Lange said. "She has a high IQ and is a proven winner, running successful teams and making players around her better. Mikaela sees the floor very well, pushes the pace and is a tenacious defender. We couldn't add a higher character person to our roster. "

Isabella Lopez
G, 5-7, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Northeast/Auburn/Eastern Florida State)
Lopez began her college career with one season at Auburn under coach Terri Williams-Flournoy in 2017-18. She played the 2018-19 season at Eastern Florida State College under coach MJ Baker.

Lopez was a standout high school talent who helped her team to the Florida Class 7A semifinals each of her final two seasons and a runner-up finish in 2015-16. As a junior, she averaged 16.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.7 steals per game. She is a two-year all-state honorable mention selection and holds the record for the best 3-point percentage in Broward County. She took part in team trials for the USA Basketball U16 and U17 teams in 2015 and 2016.

"Izzy has a passion and love for the game that is unmatched," said Lange. "She was a highly decorated player and scorer out of high school and had great experience competing in the SEC. Izzy is a true playmaker that can score at all three levels and can catch fire from behind the arc. She is an exact fit in what we are looking for and is a true winner."

Ella Ogier
G, 6-0, Melbourne, Australia (Yarra Valley Grammar School)
Ogier currently plays for the NBL1 semi-pro team, Ringwood Hawks. She prepped at Yarra Valley Grammar School, where she was a team captain, a two-time most valuable player and part of two conference championship teams. Ogier competed with the Eltham Basketball Association helping her team win the Big V State Championship, averaging 10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 51% from the field. She also earned two invitations to the Australian Athlete Development Camp.

"Ella has great athleticism and length to go along with a strong feel for the game," Lange said. "She is versatile with a knack for getting to the rim and finishing. Ella will be able to impact the game in many ways, along with adding an experienced, competitive mindset."

Ekdahl, Lopez and Ogier will be joined in the 2019 class by four incoming freshmen - Abby Johnson, Akili Felici, Sarah Schmitt and Kia Wilson.

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