Fresno State Athletics
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Photo by: Khon Saysamongdy
Three newcomers bolster Bulldogs 2026-27 roster
5/8/2026 5:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State Women's Basketball head coach Ryan McCarthy announces the addition of three new signees for the 2026-27 roster. Of the three signees two are coming from the transfer portal in Mehkia Chase and Ivy Brown, while international star Ella Barmentloo marks the third freshman.
Barmentloo attended St. Mary's Anglican Girls School in Perth and played for the Perry Lake Hawks in Australian NBL One. She helped the Hawks capture the Western Australian Basketball League U18 championship and place second in the national championship in 2024.Â
She also played for Western Australia Metro in the 2025 Under 18 National Championships and was named the Defensive Player of the Tournament. She made an appearance for the Perth Redbacks (NBL1) in 2025-26.Â
Coach McCarthy on Ella Barmentloo:Â "Ella is going to be a great addition to our program. She has been playing in the NBL1 and is considered one of the top prospects out of Australia. We love her length and athleticism, not only is she a 3 level scorer, but she is a 3 level player."
Chase spent the last season at the University of North Texas where she made five starts in 32 games for the Mean Green. The five-foot-seven guard was the team's fifth leading scorer with 6.8 points per game and third leading rebounder with 3.4 per game. Chase was UNT's first guard to grab over ten boards in a game since 2021 with 13 against ACU.Â
Prior to her time at North Texas, Chase called Florida State college home for two seasons. With the Manta Ray's started 40 games in her career. Chase was tabbed a two-time All-Panhandle First Team as well as NJCAA Second Team All-American (2025) and NJCAA All-Tournament Team (2025).Â
Coach McCarthy on Mehkia Chase: "Mekhia has been someone we have had our eye on since her junior college national championship. She is a very well rounded guard who is capable of creating her own shot and a strong rebounder which is critical for our transition offense. We are excited that another winner has decided to migrate to the Valley."
Brown, comes to the Central Valley in her final year of eligibility. The six-foot forward spent her junior campaign at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, marking 11 starts in 25 games. At UTRGV, Brown totaled 172 points, 104 rebounds while shooting 51% from the field (58-113). Before heading to Texas, Brown spent two seasons in the Sunshine State at Florida Southwestern State (FSW). At FSW the Kiwi won a Citrus Conference Championship, earned an All-Conference Second Team recognition (2025) and was named FCSAA Player of the Week (2024).Â
Brown comes to the Valley with an established relationship to current 'Dog, Ashlyn Rean. The pair have played side-by-side back home in New Zealand.Â
Coach McCarthy on Ivy Brown: "Ivy is going to be a great addition to our team, she has a toughness and grit about her that we value and impacts winning. I have been able to track her career since high school and her national team experience with New Zealand. One thing has always been consistent with her career and that is winning."
The trio join returning Bulldogs Ava Marr, Mackenzie Sirowich, Briana Webb and Ashlyn Rean. The incoming roster includes Sienna Clark (Rouse Hill HS), Ryleigh Schoonover (Clovis West HS), Rubi Gray (Sacramento State), Jada Hunter (SMC), Zawadi Ogot (LMU) and Lola Donez (Cal).Â
Barmentloo attended St. Mary's Anglican Girls School in Perth and played for the Perry Lake Hawks in Australian NBL One. She helped the Hawks capture the Western Australian Basketball League U18 championship and place second in the national championship in 2024.Â
She also played for Western Australia Metro in the 2025 Under 18 National Championships and was named the Defensive Player of the Tournament. She made an appearance for the Perth Redbacks (NBL1) in 2025-26.Â
Coach McCarthy on Ella Barmentloo:Â "Ella is going to be a great addition to our program. She has been playing in the NBL1 and is considered one of the top prospects out of Australia. We love her length and athleticism, not only is she a 3 level scorer, but she is a 3 level player."
Chase spent the last season at the University of North Texas where she made five starts in 32 games for the Mean Green. The five-foot-seven guard was the team's fifth leading scorer with 6.8 points per game and third leading rebounder with 3.4 per game. Chase was UNT's first guard to grab over ten boards in a game since 2021 with 13 against ACU.Â
Prior to her time at North Texas, Chase called Florida State college home for two seasons. With the Manta Ray's started 40 games in her career. Chase was tabbed a two-time All-Panhandle First Team as well as NJCAA Second Team All-American (2025) and NJCAA All-Tournament Team (2025).Â
Coach McCarthy on Mehkia Chase: "Mekhia has been someone we have had our eye on since her junior college national championship. She is a very well rounded guard who is capable of creating her own shot and a strong rebounder which is critical for our transition offense. We are excited that another winner has decided to migrate to the Valley."
Brown, comes to the Central Valley in her final year of eligibility. The six-foot forward spent her junior campaign at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, marking 11 starts in 25 games. At UTRGV, Brown totaled 172 points, 104 rebounds while shooting 51% from the field (58-113). Before heading to Texas, Brown spent two seasons in the Sunshine State at Florida Southwestern State (FSW). At FSW the Kiwi won a Citrus Conference Championship, earned an All-Conference Second Team recognition (2025) and was named FCSAA Player of the Week (2024).Â
Brown comes to the Valley with an established relationship to current 'Dog, Ashlyn Rean. The pair have played side-by-side back home in New Zealand.Â
Coach McCarthy on Ivy Brown: "Ivy is going to be a great addition to our team, she has a toughness and grit about her that we value and impacts winning. I have been able to track her career since high school and her national team experience with New Zealand. One thing has always been consistent with her career and that is winning."
The trio join returning Bulldogs Ava Marr, Mackenzie Sirowich, Briana Webb and Ashlyn Rean. The incoming roster includes Sienna Clark (Rouse Hill HS), Ryleigh Schoonover (Clovis West HS), Rubi Gray (Sacramento State), Jada Hunter (SMC), Zawadi Ogot (LMU) and Lola Donez (Cal).Â
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