The origin stories, when and how everyone knew they had a superstar athlete in their midst, start a little earlier in South Dakota.
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Ashlyn Koupal had a quadruple-double at Wagner High School despite facing specialized defenses designed to stop her.
Ashlyn Koupal is the second-oldest of six kids, honing her game against older sister Macy and younger brother Michael.
Ashlyn Koupal's aunt, Mandy Koupal, was the two-time Division II player of the year at South Dakota, and she had 14 points and 14 rebounds in an exhibition against Creighton.
Ashlyn Koupal is Nebraska's third five-star signee under coach Amy Williams, who signed Taylor Kissinger and Britt Prince in previous years.
Ashlyn Koupal is the first McDonald's All-American to sign with Nebraska women's basketball and the first girl in South Dakota state history to play in the game.
While Ashlyn Koupal can play in the post, she's developed a perimeter game, either putting 300 3-pointers up per day with a machine or shooting with her mom, Tera, in a workout.
Photos: Our favorite photos from the 2025-26 Nebraska women's basketball season
Nebraska's Britt Prince (23) and Kennadi Williams (15) fight for a loose ball with Creighton's Allison Heathcock (13) during the second half of a womens college basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
Nebraska's Jessica Petrie (12) and Britt Prince (23) react during the second half of a college women's basketball game against Omaha at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.
Nebraska's Alanna Neale (00) goes up for a layup during the second half of a college women's basketball game against Omaha at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.
UCLA's Kiki Rice (1) goes up for a layup past Nebraska's Callin Hake (14) during the first half of a college women's basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.
Illinois' Destiny Jackson (2) goes up for a layup but is blocked by Nebraska's Jessica Petrie (12) during the first half of a college women's basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Petra Bozan (4) screens Illinois' Destiny Jackson (2) for Nebraska's Britt Prince (23) during the second half of a college women's basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Iowa's Taylor Stremlow (1) dribbles past Nebraska's Jessica Petrie (12) and Callin Hake (14) during the first half of a college women's basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Nebraska's Britt Prince (23) passes the ball away from Creighton's Kennedy Townsend (2) during the first half of a womens college basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
Nebraska's Petra Bozan (4) reaches for a rebound during the second half of a womens college basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
Nebraska's Hailey Weaver (1) shoots a three-point basket in front of Creighton's Kennedy Townsend (2) during the first half of a womens college basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
