Youngstown, Ohio — Youngstown State's women's basketball program has added a key piece to its 2026-27 roster with the signing of Division II All-American Mia Kalich, head coach Melissa Jackson announced Monday.
Kalich is a 6-foot forward originally from Olmsted Falls, Ohio, near Cleveland, and she is coming off a season in which she averaged 14.0 points and 12.1 rebounds while leading the country in steals and triple-doubles at Seton Hill University in suburban Pittsburgh. She will have one year of eligibility remaining at Youngstown State.
"We are so excited to welcome Mia to our Penguin Family," Jackson said. "Mia really fits our program on all levels. She is a winner and impacts winning in multiple ways. Mia is a versatile forward who will excel in our defensive system. We love her high motor and proven rebounding abilities. We feel Mia will fit seamlessly with our high academic and competitive culture. We can't wait to get to work with her."
In three years playing for the Griffins in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, Kalich posted totals of 999 points, 888 rebounds, 295 steals, 268 assists and 57 blocks while shooting 61.9% from the field. She averaged a double-double and was named the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year in each of her last two seasons. Kalich was also named an Honorable Mention All-American and a Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-Region Second Team selection in 2025-26.
As a junior, Kalich averaged 14.0 points, 12.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 4.0 steals while shooting 63.9% from the field as she led the Griffins to a 22-9 record and an opening-round game in the NCAA Atlantic Regional. Kalich led the PSAC in assist-to-turnover ratio and minutes per game while leading the country with 125 steals and three triple-doubles. Additionally, she ranked in the top five nationally in field-goal percentage, steals per game, rebounds per game and double-doubles. Kalich became Seton Hill's first All-American since 2018, and she was a PSAC Winter Top 10 Award Winner for the second straight season, recognizing her excellence athletically and academically.
Kalich was a Second-Team Academic All-American and All-PSAC West selection as a sophomore when she averaged 12.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 3.0 assists. She averaged 6.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.7 assists as a freshman.
Before her time at Seton Hill, Kalich starred at Olmsted Falls High School, where she was a teammate of current Penguin Danielle Cameron for three seasons. Kalich was a Third-Team All-Ohioan and the Southwestern Conference Co-Most Valuable Girls Basketball Player her senior year when she averaged 11.5 points and helped the Bulldogs reach the state championship game for the first time in program history. Kalich was an Honorable Mention All-Ohio selection as a junior.
Youngstown State posted its best record in nearly three decades in 2025-26, going 25-10 and advancing to the Horizon League Championship Game for the first time in program history. The Penguins went on to beat Maryland Eastern Shore in the Postseason WNIT to advance to the Super 16.
