DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake women's basketball made three additions to its program today as a trio of incoming freshmen inked their official letters of intent. Alex Couch, Grace Fincham, and Karis Finley all signed to don the blue and white as the Bulldogs' class of 2025.
 
"Karis, Alex and Grace are perfect fits for our basketball family," Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman said. "They're competitive, self-driven, and have a team-first mindset that matches the culture we're so proud of at Drake."
 
Alex Couch, a 5'10" guard from Liberty, Missouri, has twice been named a First Team All-Suburban Gold Conference and First Team All-District performer. She was also recognized as an All-State honoree and surpassed the 1,000-career point mark as a junior. Couch was also a standout on the softball diamond with multiple conference, district, region, and state honors.
 
Grace Fincham will come to Des Moines after a remarkable prep career at West High School in Iowa City. Fincham has earned three varsity letters and a pair of unanimous First Team All-Mississippi Valley Conference honors. She was named the Trojans' team MVP as a sophomore. Fincham has also garnered IGCA Class 5A All-District, All-Region, and All-State awards.
 
Lastly, Cedar Falls native Karis Finley rounds out the Bulldogs' 2025 signing class. Finley earned All-Mississippi Valley Conference First Team status all three years of high school thus far and All-State listings twice. Finley helped lead the Tigers to a conference title as a sophomore.
 
 
Details about Drake's signees…
 
Alex Couch – Liberty North HS – Liberty, Mo.
Alex can do it all. She has helped us out at the point guard position throughout her career and is strong enough to post up when she sees a mismatch down low. She can shoot the three and gets to the free throw line better than anyone I know. Her game is tough, gritty, and all gas and no breaks. Truly, a winner mentality, and cares about our team's success far more than all of the individual accolades she has received throughout her career, which is a big part of how we have been so successful while she has been here. I am really excited for Alex and taking the next step to play at Drake University. Drake has a long history of competing and being an incredible program, and I think Alex is the perfect fit to help them continue to succeed. Alex will do anything that is asked of her at Drake and I know she is extremely excited to make an impact as a bulldog. With Alex's work ethic and her athletic abilities, I have no doubt Drake got one of the best! I cannot wait to support Alex at the next level and be a Drake Bulldog fan and watch from the stands the next 4 years!" – Sydney Ritter, Liberty North High School Head Coach
 
"Alex Couch is an elite athlete who excels in transition and open spaces. She's competed and started for us for three years, playing against some of the best talent in the country and on the EYBL circuit. She can score it and shoot it from the three. A very physical defender who brings A-plus toughness and rebounding. Alex is a great student and possesses high-level character, just a fun kid to be around and coach. We wish Alex the best of luck as she heads to Drake next season." – Greg Logsdon, Missouri Phenom coach

Grace Fincham – West HS – Iowa City, Iowa
"I think it is perfect that Grace is going to be a Bulldog because that is what type of player she is -- a bulldog. She's the type of player you want in a battle. Although she is the first one to smile and laugh at practice and on the bench, she also has a competitive spirit which is relentless and an intensity that is infectious. I have coached Grace since she was in 4th grade. It has been such a rewarding experience to watch her grow and evolve into a special player. I will definitely miss her. She is one of the most dedicated, hardest working players we have had in our program recently. Her most enduring characteristic is her drive and desire to be a great player and a great teammate. She will be the first one to pick up someone who is struggling and the last one to leave the gym. Drake is getting a hard-working player who is always working on her game. She wants to reach her full potential, then she wants to go beyond that. I look forward to seeing her do great things as a Bulldog!" – Nate Frese, Iowa City West High School Head Coach
 
"Grace is great kid and comes from an awesome family. She was a part of our program from a young age and made many sacrifices to become the great player that she is. Grace is a sweet kid but when she steps on the floor will flip a switch and work as hard as anyone on the court, rebound hard, run the floor, make tough finishes, and can guard a multitude of players on the defense side. She is another great addition to the Drake Family and fans will love getting to know Grace and watching her compete for the Bulldogs!" – Dickson Jensen, All-Iowa Attack coach

 
Karis Finley – Cedar Falls HS – Cedar Falls, Iowa
We couldn't be more excited to celebrate Karis's signing with the Drake Bulldogs! From the moment she walked into our Cedar Falls gym as a freshman, Karis has left a lasting mark on our program. Her competitiveness, athleticism, and leadership have shaped our team in so many ways, and it's hard to imagine the gym without her. Karis is an exceptional all-around player whose athleticism will make an immediate impact on both ends of the court, but it's her elite defense that truly sets her apart, one of the best defenders I've ever had the privilege to coach. Above all, the quality that shines brightest is her commitment to being a great teammate, and her infectious, uplifting personality she brought to our gym daily. While we'll miss her deeply next year, we couldn't be prouder of the person and player she's become. Our entire program is excited for her and can't wait to cheer her on as she takes the next step in her journey with the Drake Bulldogs." – Gregg Groen, Cedar Falls High School Head Coach

"Karis is another great kid coming from a basketball family where her sister also played in the Missouri Valley. Karis will be a valued addition to the Drake team. Fans will notice her athleticism, intense defense, and constant hustle in doing the little things right when she gets on the floor. She will make whatever play is needed to help her team win a game. She has a wonderful smile and personality that will blend well with what Allison has already built in her program. Fans will love Karis for many years!" – Dickson Jensen, All-Iowa Attack coach