STEVENS POINT, Wis. – UW-Stevens Point assistant women's basketball coach Leah Earnest has stepped down to pursue a Division I opportunity, the program announced.
 
"When you create a special culture, other people take notice," said UWSP head coach Matt Hockett. "While I'm extremely sad to see Coach Leah leave, this is exactly why great coaches come to our program. She poured everything into our players this past year and earned a massive opportunity. She was an invaluable asset to our staff and this Division I program is getting a rising star. I am incredibly grateful for her contributions, proud of her in every way, and wish her nothing but the best in this next chapter."
 
In her only season at UWSP, Earnest helped the Pointers get off to an 11-0 start to the 2025-26 campaign. The Pointers earned a bid to the WIAC Tournament and UWSP picked up a road win at then-No. 14 UW-Whitewater in February.
 
Earnest helped coached Maija Rice (L'Anse, Mich./L'Anse Area) to an all-region nod and a WBCA Collegiate All-Star Game appearance. Rice and Karissa Smith (Freedom, Wis./Appleton North) earned All-WIAC honors with Earnest on staff.
 
"This past year at UW-Stevens Point has been nothing short of exceptional," said Earnest. "Having the opportunity to be back coaching for my hometown team was everything I could have hoped for. I will forever be thankful to Coach Hockett and the young women on this team, as well as the entire UWSP community. I cannot wait to see what special things this team will accomplish in the future and I will be cheering them on every step of the way!"
 
In 2025-26, the UWSP women's basketball team went 15-11. Rice led the WIAC in scoring at 17.3 point per game and Jessilyn Ernst (Pardeeville, Wis./Pardeeville) had the league's best field goal percentage at .596.