Women's Basketball 6/11/2025 2:30:00 PM

Women’s Basketball Finalizes Recruiting Class with Additions of van der Woude, Auston and Feliz

Canisius women's basketball coach Tiffany Swoffard announced the additions of transfers Evie van der Woude, Antionique Auston and Ileana Feliz to the roster for the 2025-26 season on Tuesday.

The trio of signees completes the incoming recruiting class for the Golden Griffins that also features Mercer transfer Jania Akins, Harcum transfer Kelsey Bess and incoming freshman Molly Mescall.

"My staff and I are ecstatic to round out or 2025-26 roster with Evie, Antionique, and Ileana," Swoffard said. "They are well-rounded individuals that will represent our program to the highest level, both on and off the court. They are the perfect complement to our nine returners and three signees."

Complete bios on all three signees, as well as comments on each student-athlete from coach Swoffard, can be found below.

Evie van der Woude | 6-5 | Forward | Zwolle, Netherlands | Calandlyceum (Florida Atlantic)
Van der Woude joins the Canisius program after two seasons at Florida Atlantic, where she appeared in 36 games and made 13 starts for the Owls. She averaged 1.1 rebounds and 0.7 points per game during her time at FAU, highlighted by a seven-rebound performance against Temple as a sophomore and a five-point outing versus Nebraska during her freshman campaign.

Prior to making her way to South Florida, Van Der Woude played for Orange Lions Academy in the Netherlands, helping the program claim a national championship during the 2017-18 season.

Coach Swoffard on van der Woude
"Evie's size and ability to stretch the floor provide a match-up dilemma for opponents. She will fit into our up-tempo style and provide the paint presence we need to function within our system. We are excited for to impact the defensive side as well with her ability to alter shots."

Antionique Auston | 5-8 | Guard | Sun Prairie, Wis. | Sun Prairie West (CCBC Essex)
Auston appeared in 32 games for CCBC Essex during the 2024-25 season, making 15 starts. She averaged 9.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest as she helped guide the Knights to a 33-2 overall record, an unblemished record in both Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference and NCJAA Region 20 play and a third-place finish in the 2025 NJCAA DII Women's Basketball Tournament.

Auston scored in double figures on 13 occasions, highlighted by an 18-point effort in a 99-76 victory over Lake Land College in the second round of the NJCAA Tournament. She also pulled down double-digit rebounds in 11 games, led by a 14-board performance in a win over Garrett College during the regular season. Prior to her time at CCBC Essex, Auston spent the 2023-24 season at Morton College.

A three-sport athlete at Sun Prairie West in Wisconsin, Auston lettered in basketball football and track for the Wolves. She was named First Team All-Big Eight Conference as a senior and garnered second team accolades as a junior and honorable mention recognition following freshman and sophomore seasons. On the club circuit, Auston helped guide the Wisconsin Flight Elite to an AAU U17 title.

Coach Swoffard on Auston
"Antionique comes from a winning pedigree and has contributed at the highest level with her junior college program. Aside from a winning mentality, she brings the ability to score at all 3 levels and will see time at the 1-4."

Ileana Feliz | 6-1 | Forward | New Milford, Conn. | New Milford (Cal State Bakersfield)
In her first season of collegiate competition, Feliz appeared in 13 games for the Roadrunners, averaging 1.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in a reserve role. Her best game in a CSU Bakersfield uniform came when she posted season highs of 11 points and six rebounds in 17 minutes of action against UC Davis on Feb. 20.

A three-sport athlete at New Milford high school, Feliz helped guide the Green Wave to back-to-back South-West Conference Championships during her junior and senior seasons. The program's all-time leading scorer with 1,180 career points, Feliz was a two-time All-SWC selection and garnered Tournament MVP accolades after helping guide the Green Wave to the 2024 SWC title. A three-sport athlete at New Milford, Feliz also lettered in soccer and softball.

Coach Swoffard on Feliz
"Ileana is our prototypical low post player. She has the potential to score efficiently in the paint and possesses the ability to face up and facilitate. I am excited to see her growth into a dominant low block presence."

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