By Ryan Ernst
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Northern Kentucky women's basketball team, which reached the NCAA Division II national championship game this past season, is reloading for another title run.

And two transfers are returning home to help.

Stephanie Ripberger, a former Highlands standout who played at Division I Wofford (S.C.) College the past two seasons, is transferring to NKU, along with former Calvary Christian standout Sarah Woods, from Presbyterian (S.C.) College.

Ripberger, a 6-foot-2 forward, averaged 7.9 points a game last season at Wofford.

"She's a size player with perimeter skills," NKU coach Nancy Winstel said. "We graduated three players who could do everything. So I think Stephanie gives us back that option."

When Ripberger decided to transfer, she quickly narrowed her options.

"It was a pretty easy choice. It's home," she said. "Then, of course, being able to contribute to a winning tradition is just awesome."

Woods, a 5-9 guard, averaged 4.5 points a game last season at Presbyterian. Like Ripberger, she will have two years of eligibility at NKU.

The pair of Northern Kentucky natives joins Nikki Perkins, a guard who transferred from Division I Cleveland State.