SEATTLE – Seattle Pacific University women's basketball head coach
Karen Byers announced her 2026 signing class on Wednesday, featuring first-year student-athletes
Tessa Orcutt,
Finley Wichers, and
Makenzie Fager, along with the transfer addition of
Natalie Durbin.
"We're excited to welcome a new signing class that brings skill, versatility, and a relentless competitive mindset," Byers said. "This group can knock down shots, attack the rim with confidence, and compete every possession, qualities that will make an immediate impact on our program."
Orcutt joins Seattle Pacific after a decorated high school career at Borah High School, where she played four years of varsity basketball and one season of varsity track & field. Orcutt earned Second Team All-Conference honors as a freshman, First Team All-Conference recognition as a sophomore, and All-Conference Honorable Mention as a senior. She also received All-State honors during her freshman and sophomore seasons and helped her teams qualify for the state tournament in all four years, advancing to the state semifinals each season.
A standout at Edmonds Woodway High School, Wichers joins the Falcons after a four-year varsity career under head coach Quinn Manning. A four-time letterwinner, Wichers earned WESCO South Second Team All-Conference honors as both a junior and senior. Wichers scored a career-high 26 points at the Tacoma Dome, setting a state tournament record with eight 3-pointers in a single game, and helped lead Edmonds-Woodway to a memorable rivalry victory over Meadowdale that ended an eight-year losing streak before the Warriors defeated the Mavericks again one month later.
Fager arrives at Seattle Pacific following a standout career at Shadle Park High School, where she played basketball under head coach Ben Sherman. A point guard, Fager also competed in soccer and track & field during her prep career, showcasing her versatility as a multi-sport athlete. She graduated from Shadle Park High School in 2026 and will enter SPU with four seasons of collegiate eligibility remaining.
Durbin comes to SPU after beginning her collegiate career at the University of San Diego. A graduate of Edmonds Woodway High School, Durbin starred in both basketball and soccer while helping lead her team to four consecutive playoff appearances and two state tournament berths. A two-time team captain and all-league selection, she capped her senior season by averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. Durbin will have four seasons of eligibility remaining with the Falcons.
The Falcons play their first games in November with the hopes of qualifying for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships in Nampa, Idaho, March 4-6, 2027.
SPU SOCIAL
Seattle's only NCAA Division II Scholarship Program | #GoFalcons
