NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale women's basketball program welcomes two incoming transfers for the 2025-26 season, forward Mary Meng (Grafton, Ohio) and forward Luisa Vydrova (Prague, Czech Republic). They join a Yale roster that also includes seven returnees and six incoming first-years as the Bulldogs enter their fourth season under Dalila Eshe, Yale's Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Basketball. 

Here is a look at the newest Bulldogs:

Mary Meng
#20
6-5
Forward
Grafton, Ohio
Midview

2024-25 (Sophomore, at Michigan State): 

• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Played in nine games
• After returning from injury, scored two points with two rebounds against Oakland Nov. 5
• Eight points, five rebounds and a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe vs. Yale Nov. 8
• Career-high three blocks in season-high 13 minutes vs. Detroit Mercy Nov. 20

2023-24 (First-Year, at Michigan State): 

• Played in nine games
• Scored six points in her first college game, going 3-for-4 from field vs. Oakland Nov. 8
• Scored season-high nine points against Detroit Mercy Nov. 16
• Brought down five boards against Evansville Nov. 19
• In just eight minutes, scored four points, with four rebounds, one steal and one block against James Madison at Cancun Challenge Nov. 23
• Brought down season-high seven rebounds against Miami (OH) Dec. 3
• Missed remainder of season with injury

Midview High School: As senior, averaged 16.2 points and 17.0 rebounds, leading Midview to first state tournament appearance ... Named Lorain County Miss Basketball as a senior... Scored 16.8 ppg as a junior, earning second team All-Ohio honors... Named to all-district team as a junior... Averaged 20.4 points and 15.9 rebounds as a sophomore... Set Midview's single-game and season rebounding records, and was first female in Lorain County in 10 years to have 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career.

Notes: Youth basketball coach… Transferred to Yale in 2025.

Why Yale? "I chose Yale for its balance of world-class academics and elite basketball, surrounded by people who push me to grow on every level."

Luisa Vydrova
#17
6-1
Forward
Prague, Czech Republic
Gymnázium Nad Štolou

2024-25 (Sophomore, at UTEP): 

• CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
• CUSA Commissioner's Academic Medalist
• 2025 CUSA Women's All-Academic Team
• Appeared in 29 games, making 27 starts
• Averaged 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game
• Ranked second on the team in rebounding and third in scoring
• Finished third on team in field goal percentage (50.8).
• Pulled down career-high 12 rebounds at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Nov. 26
• Dished out career-best five assists at Utah Tech Dec. 14
• Recorded career-high four steals at Liberty Feb. 15
• Posted 15 double-figure scoring games and two double-digit rebounding efforts
• Led Miners in rebounding on 10 occasions and in scoring five
• Tallied two double-doubles 
• Went perfect 7-7 from floor at Jax State Jan. 23

2023-24 (First-Year, at UTEP):

• CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
• CUSA Commissioner's Academic Medalist
• Appeared in all 31 games, making 10 starts
• Shot 49.6 percent (68-137) from field, 41.7 percent (5-12) from three and 75.0 percent (9-12) from free throw line
• Lead Miners in scoring twice, both during CUSA Championships 
• Poured in career-high 19 points against Sam Houston Mar. 12
• Scored in double figures eight times, including six-game stretch to end season

Czech Basketball: Played for Czechia at FISU World University Summer Games July 2025; appeared in all six games as team finished seventh…  Selected to play for Czechia in FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League U21 events August 2025… Has played for BA Sparta, U19 Chance in Czech Women's Basketball League, as well as Czech Youth National Team… Averaged 14.5 points to go along with 6.3 rebounds, shot 86.7 percent from free-throw line during 2022-23 season; scored in double figures 12 times, including six 20-plus efforts… Averaged 6.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in 2024 FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Division B; team finished third… Averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 2023 FIBA U20 Women's European Championship… Averaged 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 2023 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup… Averaged 7.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in 2022 FIBA U18 Women's European Championship… Averaged 6.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 2021 FIBA U18 Women's European Challengers.

Notes: Transferred to Yale in 2025.

Why Yale? "I chose Yale because it offers an exceptional academic environment while also supporting student-athletes in both their personal and athletic growth. I was especially drawn to the coaching staff – their game, energy and coaching approach really stood out to me. I also appreciated the strong sense of community, the individualized support and the opportunity to combine top-level basketball with a world-class education. I truly believe Yale will help me grow not only as a student and an athlete, but also as a person."