Ella Weaver Looks to Translate her Shooting Confidence into a MAC Championship

TOLEDO, Ohio – All it took was one big game for Ella Weaver.

The Rockets visited a ranked Ohio State team in Columbus on a freezing cold day last December (the high temperature was 18 degrees), yet Weaver had the hot hand. She scored 21 points, easily surpassing career highs with 7-of-10 shooting and 4-of-6 three-point outputs.

"All preseason, I'd been doing the work, feeling good about our offense and playing with my teammates," said Weaver. "I think that game was a culmination of that, and once I got that confidence, it just kept building from there."

By the end of the 2025-26 season – one that saw the Rockets make a return trip to the MAC Tournament championship game – Weaver had put up 14 double-digit scoring outings. She averaged 14.9 points and totaled 19 triples over her last seven games, scoring in double figures in every one of those games, including during the MAC Tournament.

The confidence it took for the late-season spurt was found during the breakout in Columbus.

"When she put up 21 versus Ohio State, we were all like, 'Yeah, she's probably going to take off,' said Assistant Coach Hailey Yohn, who works primarily with Rocket guards. "Once she had that game, we talked about it. We watched film on it. You could tell that spark in her eye that said, 'OK, now I'm going to get rolling.'"

Confidence is key for any athlete and Weaver became more and more confident in her shot by the time March came around.

"When she saw that first one fall and how confident she felt with it, she was like, 'Yeah, I can do this.'" said Yohn. "And the confidence is crazy drug. Once she got going, she was hitting. But you could tell with how she carried herself, and how she was playing defense to translate to offense."

Weaver's late-season spurt was a reflection of the work she had put in with the coaching staff in the offseason and after practice.

Weaver's work was consistent and targeted – getting up extra shots, breaking down game film and working to become a better all-around player at her position.

"I think the buy-in was the biggest thing," said Yohn. "She's bought into what Coach [Boggess] was saying, what we were working on as a position group and a position coach, and she was committed to the process."

Part of that work has also helped the mental side of Weaver's game. She trusts that the work she puts in in the gym will translate to her game on game day.

"Before a game it's really just trusting myself – that I've put in the work, I deserve to be on the court," said Weaver. "During the game it's a lot of 'OK, maybe that play didn't go perfect but next play.' I've definitely been making a conscious effort to always be in a good mindset."

Weaver's game has translated beyond shooting. She made significant strides in the rebounding and defensive parts of her game in 2025-26. She recorded two double-doubles, the first two of her career and was third on the team with 30 steals.

She's worked on – and built further confidence in – her mid-range and inside games too, along the technicalities that come with them.

But for all of Weaver's offensive strengths, her abilities on offense start with her work on the defensive end and on the glass.

"I think our offense is designed to reward the rebounder," she said. "If I get a rebound and outlet it to my front guard, I'm put in a good position to score."

To score, Head Coach Ginny Boggess and the rest of the staff emphasizes taking good 'Toledo shots.' If Weaver is unable to get to her best spots on the floor for a shot, she's been able to make plays for her teammates in positions for quality shots.

"We want our players to understand that if we can't get Ella to her first- or second-best thing, then there's four other players that have their first- or second-best thing," said Boggess. "If Weaver is wide open for a three, we need her to get it and we need her to take it."

To get those good 'Toledo shots,' Weaver focuses on building trust with her teammates, which was a key focus of the summer, with six newcomers practicing with Weaver and seven other returners. There, Weaver's learned what each teammates' strengths are and how each player fits best into the Rockets' offense.

"Summer is always good to learn each other, learn everyone's tendencies and start learning how to play with each other," said Weaver. "Then, it's building all fall and all preseason, but it's always great to see how every player is so different and what everyone brings to the table."

Not only did Weaver make an initial statement with the Ohio State game, but was also called up at the end of the season, when she moved into the starting lineup following an injury to Faith Fedd-Robinson.

Weaver was more than up to the task, with seven-straight double-figure scoring games to close the season. Her versatility and hard work in the offseason have made her ready for any role on the court, especially with the team facing adversity.

"She's just willing to do anything," said Boggess. "We've had her guarding the other team's defender and using her length. She's a willing and able rebounder at a high level and a team-first defender."

Ultimately, Weaver established herself as a 94-foot player at the end of last season. But her three-point shooting prowess was noticeable, and complemented Patricia Anumgba's stellar finish to last season.

Now, heading into her senior season at Toledo, Weaver knows how much MAC opponents know about her game. But she's taking that in stride as Toledo prepares for the season.

"Last year was definitely a good confidence builder, but I'm just trying to focus and take things one day at a time," said Weaver. "I'm trying not to overthink and put too much pressure on myself."

The extra chip on Weaver's shoulder is ultimately bringing a MAC championship back to the Glass City. Playing in her fourth year at Toledo, Weaver is the longest-tenured Rocket on the roster.

When Yohn asked the swing guards what their goals are for this season, a championship was Weaver's first answer.

"She's not worried about her individual accolades, she wants to win the MAC championship," said Yohn. "As a byproduct, she's going to shoot the ball really well and she's going to put in the work in the offseason. But the chip on her shoulder is, 'OK, now I'm here. I haven't arrived all the way yet. There's still ways to improve and to grow, but I want to win a MAC championship.'"

Ella Weaver Looks to Translate her Shooting Confidence into a MAC Championship

Players Mentioned

Patricia Anumgba

Faith Fedd-Robinson

Ella Weaver

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