Over the last two years, Penn State has seen a large exodus from its program as various players have found new homes.
Ten former Lady Lions competed across the NCAA this season, with several clinching NCAA Tournament appearances, earning conference honors and others ending their season on sour notes.
Here’s a look at how these 10 athletes fared this season away from Happy Valley.
Shay Ciezki – Indiana
Senior guard Shay Ciezki had one of the greatest seasons among former Lady Lions, if not any player in the country, in her second year removed from Penn State.
Ciezki became the second player in NCAA history to average 20-plus points while shooting 50% from the field, 40% from 3-point range and 90% from the free-throw line this season, in addition to 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
While the Hoosiers ultimately fell in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament and failed to clinch the NCAA Tournament, Ciezki elevated her draft stock in her final season. In the final regular season game of her collegiate career, Ciezki eliminated her former team from Big Ten postseason contention while earning a standing ovation.
Gabby Elliott – Arizona State
Joining former Penn State coach Daniel Barber at Arizona State this year, Gabby Elliott was a star in her first year with the Sun Devils and last year of eligibility.
In her first injury-free season in her collegiate career, Elliott took Arizona State to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in seven years as she averaged 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals in 35 starts.
Guard Alli Campbell (22) dribbles the ball during the Penn State women’s basketball game against Rutgers at the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Scarlet Knights beat the Nittany Lions 73-77.
Samantha DiCamillo
Alli Campbell – Fairfield
While senior Alli Campbell put on an underwhelming performance in her first year away from Penn State, she accompanied Fairfield to a 28-5 record, MAAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
However, the Altoona, Pennsylvania, native recorded just 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in five starts in her fifth year in the NCAA.
Talayah Walker – Georgia Tech
After making a pair of starts in Happy Valley during her freshman year, Talayah Walker’s success continued in Year 2 at Georgia Tech, where she started in 33 games.
Walker and the Yellow Jackets earned a WBIT appearance amidst a 14-19 record, despite Walker’s standout performance with 17.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Ivane Tensaie – UTEP
While it’s been three years since Ivane Tensaie donned the blue and white, she continued to have success in her senior year at UTEP, averaging 10.8 points per game.
Earlier this year, Tensaie broke the UTEP single-game 3-point record, recording eight triples against Denver in late November.
Kylie Lavelle – St. John’s
After spending her sophomore year at Penn State, Kylie Lavelle experienced an elevated role with St. John’s, including 43 starts over the last two years.
Forward Kylie Lavelle (14) attempts to block the ball during the Penn State women’s basketball game against Saint Francis inside the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 in University Park, Pa. The Lady Lions beat the Red Flash 119-43.
Chris Eutsler
Lavelle averaged 4.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game as the Red Storm capped off their season with a devastating 74-26 loss in the first round of the WBIT.
Cam Rust – Seton Hall
Sophomore Cam Rust hit the transfer portal after her freshman year at Penn State, heading to Seton Hall where she averaged slightly better stats with 2.0 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.
Rust announced her intent to enter the portal again this year on Saturday.
Grace Hall – SMU
After two seasons in Happy Valley, Grace Hall took her talents to SMU, where she saw an increased role in her senior year.
Hall started a career-high 20 games this season, averaging 4.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Jill Jekot – St. Joseph’s
In her freshman season with Penn State, Jill Jekot played a minimal role with no starts and just six minutes per game. Those stats increased in Year 2 as she started 26 games with 28.6 minutes per game with St. Joseph’s.
Jekot improved in every statistical category with 7.1 points and four rebounds per game.
Ariana Williams – IU Indy
Now-sophomore Ariana Williams saw just seven appearances with Penn State, but made five starts in 29 games with IU Indy this season.
Williams recorded 5.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as her squad ended the season with an upset over No. 4-seeded Northern Kentucky in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament.
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