Courtesy UVA Media Relations
Virginia women’s basketball head coach Aaron Roussell announced Wednesday that Lyla Coogen and Emilie Brzonova will join the program for the 2026-27 season.
“Lyla brings a great combination of skill and size,” Roussell said.
“Her ability to shoot the ball, paired with her physicality, will give us a real boost on the offensive end. She’s come from one of the premier high school programs in the country and has competed at an exceptionally high level. We’re excited about what she can contribute this season — and we know the best is still ahead of her.”
A 6-foot-3 forward, Coogen (Arlington, Va.) joins the Cavalier program after a standout senior season at The St. James Performance Academy in Springfield, Va. Before St. James, she was a two-time WCAC champion at St. John’s College High School, where she also earned second team All-State and WCAC honorable mention honors. Off the court, Coogen was recognized for her leadership with the St. John’s Presidential Leadership Award.
On the AAU circuit, Coogen competed with Team Durant in the Nike EYBL. She is expected to begin training with the Cavaliers over the summer.
If you want even more award-winning coverage on the UVA athletics department, including its nationally-ranked football and basketball programs, be sure to subscribe to “Cavalier Exclusive” to follow all of Virginia Sports Hall Of Famer Jerry “Hootie” Ratcliffe’s analysis and content. It’s the best in the business for Wahoo Fans!
Brzonova, a 5-11 guard (Czech Republic), joins the Cavalier program after playing for Faenza Basket Project in the Italian Serie A2 in 2025-26. She also played with Azzurra Roma in the same league in 2024-25.
“Emilie’s international experience at the highest level will uniquely prepare her for the ACC,” Roussell said. “She is still young, but her shooting ability and footwork are already at an elite level. She will be able to make an immediate scoring impact upon her arrival and her competitive fire will add to the toughness that this program will be known for.”
Brzonova has also competed on the international stage. Playing on the Czech Republic’s U18 team, she averaged 13.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting at a 48-percent clip from three-point range at the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket 2024. Her performance earned a spot on the All-Star Five for the tournament.
During the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship in 2022, Brzonova averaged 13.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists. She also competed in the 2023 FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship and the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Brzonova and Coogen join a list of five newcomers to the 2026-27 roster, which includes Erica Gribble (Greensburg Central Catholic), Mary-Anna Asare (VCU) and Caterina Piatti (Florida).
If you want even more award-winning coverage on the UVA athletics department, including its nationally-ranked football and basketball programs, be sure to subscribe to “Cavalier Exclusive” to follow all of Virginia Sports Hall Of Famer Jerry “Hootie” Ratcliffe’s analysis and content. It’s the best in the business for Wahoo Fans!
