A season filled with growth, resilience and championship moments ended on the biggest stage for the St. Vincent Lady Indians.
St. Vincent finished the 2025- 2026 season with a 24-8 record, capturing both the Jefferson County Athletic Association conference title and the Class 3, District 2 championship before advancing to the Class 3 state championship game and finishing as the state runner-up.
For head coach Mel Kirn, the season stood out not just for its accomplishments but for the level of competition his team faced along the way.
“I’d rate it better than last year,” Kirn said. “We played a tougher schedule this year… We played a lot of teams that ended up going to the state playoffs.”
That challenging schedule showed early. The Lady Indians opened the season with losses to Principia and MICDS, starting 0-2 before finding their footing.
From there, St. Vincent steadily improved, picking up key wins over conference and district opponents while building momentum heading into postseason play. The Lady Indians also gained valuable experience against quality competition throughout the season, something that paid off in February and March.
Offensively, St. Vincent was led by a balanced scoring attack featuring multiple contributors.
Kate Rubel led the team with 480 points (15.0 points per game), while Brie Rubel added 466 points (14.6 ppg). Lana Adams contributed 248 points (8.6 ppg), and Rylee Robinson added 250 points (7.8 ppg), giving the Lady Indians consistent production across the lineup.
The depth didn’t stop there. Sophie Verseman (121 points), Aubrey Emmendorfer (75 points) and Paige Leible (73 points) all played key roles throughout the season, while Grace Jenneman provided additional contributions in limited action.
Kirn emphasized that while scoring was important, the team’s identity was built on defense and effort.
“We knew we didn’t have that fourth or fifth big scorer,” Kirn said. “But we knew what each girl would give us… and our bench came off and helped us a lot.”
That defensive mindset showed in the numbers. Kate Rubel led the team with 59 steals and 31 blocks, while Lana Adams added 94 steals, and Rylee Robinson recorded 41 steals. Brie Rubel also contributed 68 steals, highlighting the team’s ability to create turnovers and apply pressure.
St. Vincent’s depth and defensive intensity were on full display during the postseason.
The Lady Indians captured the Class 3, District 2 title and carried that momentum into the state playoffs, where they advanced through the bracket to reach the championship game.
Along the way, they relied on their balanced scoring, defensive pressure and ability to adapt against strong opponents.
Although the season ended with a loss in the state championship game, the Lady Indians’ run to the finals capped one of the most successful stretches in program history.
Over the past two seasons, St. Vincent has compiled 51 wins and made two trips to the state level, further establishing itself as one of the top programs in the area.
“I’m so proud of them,” Kirn said. “The girls that walk through that door, they want to be there… and it’s been a fun ride.”
The success was fueled not only by star players but also by leadership and contributions that extended beyond the box score.
Kirn pointed to his senior class and role players as key pieces in building the team’s culture, noting their impact in practices, on the bench and in supporting younger players.
Looking ahead, the Lady Indians return a strong core, including several players who gained valuable experience during this postseason run.
“We’re going to have a good ball club,” Kirn said. “Only time will tell, but I guarantee one thing — those girls will work hard trying to get there.”
