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'Twig' to towering talent: Prep legend Ashlyn Koupal's journey to Nebraska women's basketball

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

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HUSKER WOMEN’S HOOPS

'Twig' to towering talent: Prep legend Ashlyn Koupal's journey to Nebraska women's basketball

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Sam, Evan and Gary break down the NCAA's sweeping "five-in-five" eligibility change and its effects on Husker football, volleyball, baseball, and more. The trio also recaps a calmer CWS and football recruiting. And is Anthony Colandrea getting the appropriate hype?

Prefer us on Google Learn More

The origin stories, when and how everyone knew they had a superstar athlete in their midst, start a little earlier in South Dakota.

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Ashlyn Koupal had a quadruple-double at Wagner High School despite facing specialized defenses designed to stop her. 

THE KOUPAL FAMILY

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Ashlyn Koupal is the second-oldest of six kids, honing her game against older sister Macy and younger brother Michael. 

LEAH INSKO FOR THE KOUPAL FAMILY

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Ashlyn Koupal's aunt, Mandy Koupal, was the two-time Division II player of the year at South Dakota, and she had 14 points and 14 rebounds in an exhibition against Creighton. 

CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

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Ashlyn Koupal is Nebraska's third five-star signee under coach Amy Williams, who signed Taylor Kissinger and Britt Prince in previous years.  

LEAH INSKO FOR THE KOUPAL FAMILY

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Ashlyn Koupal is the first McDonald's All-American to sign with Nebraska women's basketball and the first girl in South Dakota state history to play in the game. 

LEAH INSKO FOR THE KOUPAL FAMILY

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While Ashlyn Koupal can play in the post, she's developed a perimeter game, either putting 300 3-pointers up per day with a machine or shooting with her mom, Tera, in a workout. 

THE KOUPAL FAMILY

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Photos: Our favorite photos from the 2025-26 Nebraska women's basketball season

Nebraska's Britt Prince (23) and Kennadi Williams (15) fight for a loose ball with Creighton's Allison Heathcock (13) during the second half of a womens college basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Jessica Petrie (12) and Britt Prince (23) react during the second half of a college women's basketball game against Omaha at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Alanna Neale (00) goes up for a layup during the second half of a college women's basketball game against Omaha at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

UCLA's Kiki Rice (1) goes up for a layup past Nebraska's Callin Hake (14) during the first half of a college women's basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Illinois' Destiny Jackson (2) goes up for a layup but is blocked by Nebraska's Jessica Petrie (12) during the first half of a college women's basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Petra Bozan (4) screens Illinois' Destiny Jackson (2) for Nebraska's Britt Prince (23) during the second half of a college women's basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Iowa's Taylor Stremlow (1) dribbles past Nebraska's Jessica Petrie (12) and Callin Hake (14) during the first half of a college women's basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Britt Prince (23) passes the ball away from Creighton's Kennedy Townsend (2) during the first half of a womens college basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Petra Bozan (4) reaches for a rebound during the second half of a womens college basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska's Hailey Weaver (1) shoots a three-point basket in front of Creighton's Kennedy Townsend (2) during the first half of a womens college basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Ashlyn Koupal action vertical

Ashlyn Koupal had a quadruple-double at Wagner High School despite facing specialized defenses designed to stop her. 

Ashlyn Koupal is Nebraska's third five-star signee under coach Amy Williams, who signed Taylor Kissinger and Britt Prince in previous years.  

Ashlyn Koupal is the second-oldest of six kids, honing her game against older sister Macy and younger brother Michael. 

Ashlyn Koupal is the first McDonald's All-American to sign with Nebraska women's basketball and the first girl in South Dakota state history to play in the game. 

While Ashlyn Koupal can play in the post, she's developed a perimeter game, either putting 300 3-pointers up per day with a machine or shooting with her mom, Tera, in a workout. 

Ashlyn Koupal's aunt, Mandy Koupal, was the two-time Division II player of the year at South Dakota, and she had 14 points and 14 rebounds in an exhibition against Creighton. 

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