STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Wagner College Head women's basketball Coach Terrell Coburn announced the addition of Assistant Coach Brandi Segars, Zhaneia 'Z' Thybulle, and Video Coordinator Sabira Ahayeva to the Seahawks' upcoming 2025-26 staff on Friday.
Brandi Segars most recently served as the Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Staten Island Academy for the 2024–25 season, guiding the team to an ACIS Conference Championship.
"Brandi is a tremendous addition to our staff. She brings great energy, knowledge of the game, and a genuine ability to connect with student-athletes, commented Coach Coburn. I'm excited to see the positive impact she will make on our program both on and off the court."
Segars' playing career began at Loyola University Chicago (2015-18), where Segars appeared in 83 games with 24 starts during her three year tenure. Segars averaged 7.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore, scoring in double figures 10 times and posting a season-high 15 points against Wichita State. During the 2017-18 season, Segars added 3.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game while making 32 appearances and eight starts
The Queens native spent the 2019-20 campaign with Winston-Salem State University, making 29 appearances and 23 starts. Segars ranked third on the team in scoring (10.3) and averaged 5.8 rebounds per game, earning CIAA All-Tournament honors. Segars' best performance came against West Virginia State, when Segars recorded 26 points and 17 rebounds..
As a coach, Segars was Head Girls Varsity Coach at Mount Zion Christian Academy from 2021-22, earning Triangle Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2021–22.
Prior to her time in New York, Segars led Winston-Salem Christian School (2022–23), capturing the CAA4SC State Championship and was named Non-NCHSAA Basketball Coach of the Year.
Since 2023, Segars has worked with EEP Basketball, a program under EEP Law, where Segars combined her role as a paralegal with training athletes focused on skill development and preparation for higher levels of competition.
Off the court, Segars earned her MBA from Winston-Salem State in 2022 and holds a bachelor's degree in Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations from Loyola Chicago.
Zhaneia 'Z' Thybulle most recently spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Adelphi University in Garden City.
During her time as a Panther, Z implemented a new defensive system that elevated the team's scoring defense ranking from eighth to third in the NE-10 and installed a baseline-out-of-bounds package that increased scoring by an average of eight points per game.
Z directed all individual player development sessions, leading to measurable improvements in returning players' field-goal and three-point percentages. In addition, she managed team travel schedules, organized practices, maintained video and statistical databases, and filed detailed scouting reports to support athlete development and recruiting evaluations.
"We're thrilled to welcome Z back to Wagner in this new role. She embodies everything it means to be a Seahawk—hard work, leadership, and a deep love for this program, commented Coach Coburn. She is a terrific coach, and our players will benefit greatly from her experience and the passion she brings every day."
No stranger to Grymes Hill, Thybulle played five collegiate seasons between UNC Wilmington and Wagner. Thybulle appeared in 114 career games with 74 starts, finishing her career as a two-time All-Northeast Conference (NEC) Third Team selection (2021-22, 2022-23) and the NEC's assists leader in back-to-back seasons.
While a Seahawk, the Elmont, NY native appeared in 75 games, making 74 starts, logging 2428 minutes averaging 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 33 minutes per game while shooting 38.4% from the floor.
In 2022-23, Thybulle averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game, leading the NEC in assists for the second straight year and ranking 91st nationally. Thybulle recorded the third triple-double in Wagner history and the first in the NEC since 2020-21, finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists at LIU on February 11, scored in double-figures 17 times, averaging 11.8 points in conference play, and was named NEC Player of the Week on December 19.
As a senior in 2021-22, Thybulle started 28 of 29 games and averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game. Thybulle ranked first in the NEC in assists, seventh in steals, and finished top-20 in both scoring and rebounding. Thybulle had 16 double-digit scoring games, handed out a season-high 11 assists twice, and recorded her first career double-double with 15 points and 11 assists at Merrimack. Nationally, Thybulle ranked 37th in assists per game and 44th in total assists.
In her first season at Wagner (2020-21), Thybulle started all 18 games and averaged 5.7 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game. Thybulle ended second in the NEC in assists and third in assist-to-turnover ratio, while ranking top-50 in the nation in assists per game. Thybulle set a career-high with 12 assists against Mount St. Mary's, the highest single-game total in the NEC that season.
Coach Z joined elite company as the sixth player to earn All-NEC honors in consecutive seasons as Thybulle picked up All-NEC Third Team honors after the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Thybulle is the founder and head trainer of Visionary Hoopers, where Thybulle has worked with youth, college, and professional athletes to improve skill development, with a focus on shooting, ball-handling, and decision-making.
Thybulle also serves as a Youth Basketball Coach at Hoops 101 in Port Washington, NY, where Thybulle organizes skill-based training sessions and emphasizes player fundamentals, sportsmanship, and team development.
Thybulle graduated from Wagner in 2022 with a B.S. in Business Administration.
Sabira Ahayeva joins Terrell Coburn's staff as the Seahawks' upcoming Video Coordinator.
"We're excited to welcome Sabira to Wagner. Her background and commitment aligns perfectly with our vision, commented Coach Coburn. She has a strong work ethic and a fresh perspective that will help elevate our team moving forward."
The Minsk, Belarus native joins the Seahawks by way of the University of New Haven, where Ahayeva spent two seasons as a member of the Chargers. Prior to her stint with New Haven, Ahayeva played for two seasons at Dawson Community College in Glendive, MT.
During her first year as a Charger, Ahayeva earned three starts during her first season, and had a breakout performance against Bentley scoring 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting—including 2-of-4 from three-point range—in just 15 minutes off the bench.
During her second season at New Haven, Ahayeva appeared in 28 games, making 25 starts while averaging 5.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game across 30.2 minutes of game time. Ahayeva shot 82.2% from the free throw line during the course of the year.
Ahayeva was recognized for academic excellence with Northeast-10 Academic Honor Roll Academic Distinction honors and was named to the New Haven Dean's List for Fall 2023.
While at Dawson Community College, Ahayeva played two seasons for the Buccaneers. During her second year in Glendive, Ahayeva posted 10.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in 31 appearances. Ahayeva ranked third on the team in scoring, second in rebounding, and led the team in free throw percentage (83.3%).
Ahayeva finished with career highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds in a performance against Miles Community College in the regular season finale. Throughout the year, Ahayeva scored in double-figures in 21 games during the season.
While a member of the New Haven community, Ahayeva earned multiple Dean's List honors, took part in the Women in Business Club, Transfer Peer Mentor, Career Readiness Club, SAAC, Creators Club, was a Phi-Theta Kappa, and received the Transfer Scholar Award.
Ahayeva helped assist the Chargers' Athletic Department, contributing to broadcasting and streaming with FloSports, as well as supporting game-day event organization.
While a member of the Dawson CC community, Ahayeva was awarded All-Conference Academic, All-American Academic, Dean's List, Ford Scholarship, LaQuinta Scholarship, a member of Phi-Theta Kappa and took part in the Bible Study Club for Athletes.
Ahayeva participated on Belarus' Women's Basketball National Team in 2017 and graduated from UNH with a degree in Business Management.
Currently, Ahayeva is enrolled in the Wagner College Nicolais School of Business to obtain her MBA aside from her duties with the women's basketball program.
Segars, Thybulle, Ahayeva and the rest of the Seahawks will begin their 2025-26 season at Rutgers on Monday, November 3 at Jersey Mike's Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m against the Scarlet Knights.
