CHICAGO – Just days before the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Basketball Tournament, the Missouri Valley Conference announced its 2026 MVC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Team on Tuesday afternoon.

Among the 42 honorees were graduate students Crystal Ortiz and Sara Zabrecky. Sophomore Samantha Serrano and redshirt freshman Magdalena Winter also were recognized for their success in the classroom.

Ortiz was the ultimate bench presence, appearing in 30 matches this season. Off the bench, she comes in second in three-point percentage (34.9%) and free throw percentage (90.9%). She also dished out 25 assists and 15 steals during the 2025-26 campaign. In the 61-44 victory on the road against Valparaiso on December 7, Ortiz set multiple season-bests in points (17), rebounds (six), blocks (one), and steals (three). The Sallisaw, Oklah. native will be graduating in the spring with her bachelor's degree with a 3.66 GPA.



Serrano was featured 29 times throughout the season, starting in six games. She averaged 25.6% from the field and knocked down 69.8% of her free throws and added six blocks and 13 steals. She set her season-bests on the road at Ohio on December 5, scoring 18 points including three triples and seven boards. Serrano closes out her sophomore season with a 3.57 GPA, studying criminology, law & justice.


 
Winter appeared in 28 games, penciled into the starting lineup over 20 games this season. She was one of the leading forces in the paint, leading the team in field goal percentage with 58.8% and being second in rebounds per game (5.1 RPG). She was named MVC Freshman of the Week after strong performances against Ball State, Maine, and Iona in November. Winter closes out her second full year at UIC with a 3.68 GPA, majoring in psychology.


Zabrecky has started all 31 games this season, being one of three Flames to do so. She leads the team in three-point percentage at 35.2% while being second in total rebounds (95) and third in total minutes (923). She set season-highs against Ohio on December 5 with points scored (15) and field goals and three-pointers made (5). Zabrecky closes out her time at UIC graduating with a 4.0 GPA with a master's degree in youth development.
 
The No. 7 seeded UIC women's basketball (14-17, 9-11 MVC) is set to open the 2026 Credit Union 1 MVC Women's Basketball Tournament against No. 10 Evansville (7-24, 5-15 MVC) Thursday at 6 p.m. (CT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available at UICFlames.com.  

Fans wanting more information on the tournament can go to the UIC's Tournament Central or The Valley's Championship Central page.  All-session and single-session tickets in the UIC cheering section for the women's basketball tournament are on sale through the UIC Athletics Ticket Office by calling 312-413-UIC1 (8421) or e-mailing athleticsticketing@uic.edu.
 
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For more information on UIC women's basketball, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_WBB and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_wbb and @uicflames).

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