When Mercyhurst announced a “leadership change” in cutting ties with women’s basketball coach Brooklyn Kohlheim four days after the season ended, junior forward Bailey Kuhns scrambled to reset her future.

She didn’t have to go anywhere, but with Kohlheim gone, things would surely be different in the looming offseason and the year ahead. And there was always that is-the-grass-greener thought in the back of her mind.

If Kuhns was going to leave, this was the time. But why would anyone leave an ideal situation?

Kuhns would likely have been the go-to scorer like she was this winter, but the Greensburg Central Catholic alum and Mt. Pleasant native felt compelled to make a change.

Instead, she set course for the NCAA transfer portal, and it led her to a more localized program that recently played in the Horizon League semifinals.

This week, Kuhns signed with Robert Morris and has begun the transition to Moon.

“It was nothing crazy or earth shattering,” Kuhns said. “Every circumstance just made it clear it was the right decision. While I am sure many see it the same way, that I had the perfect role at Mercyhurst, I believe that in most circumstances, you have the ability to make your situation what you want it to be if you work hard enough.”

Perfect role seems about right. Kuhns was the centerpiece of a team that went 9-18 overall and 6-10 in the Northeast Conference. She has improved by leaps and bounds each season, face-of-the-program type of talent.

Kuhns’ confidence grew after her finest college season, one that saw her lead the Northeast Conference in scoring at 19.9 points per game and earn All-NEC First Team accolades.

The notion that she could play at a higher level crossed her mind more than once. Mercyhurst, after all, is a first-year D-1 program and continues to adjust to the new landscape.

The Lakers women will have to proceed forward without Kuhns now that the 5-foot-11 post player is headed elsewhere.

“I feel I can find an equally important or ‘perfect’ role that may look very different from Mercyhurst,” Kuhns said, “as long as I stay true to who I am and stay true to hard work.”

Kuhns played in 27 games this season, starting all but one while averaging 34.3 minutes. She also averaged a team-best 5.1 rebounds and was an NEC Prime Performer multiple times.

She produced five double-doubles, including a 32-point, 10-rebound effort against Cornell, and she scored 33 against LeMoyne, one of her 26 double-digit scoring games.

Kuhns shot 49% from the field.

While she doesn’t prefer to compare Mercyhurst and Robert Morris, Kuhns can shine a light on her new program.

“What coach (Chandler) McCabe and her coaching staff did in one year was absolutely incredible,” Kuhns said. “Being predicted to finish last in the Horizon League and then finishing fourth, that’s incredible. Aside from their talent as coaches, they are incredible human beings, and I am so excited about what the future holds for RMU women’s basketball.”

Kuhns admits she pondered leaving Mercyhurst previously. The coaching change was a move that made her decision smoother.

“Throughout the season, I would have individuals mention the possibility to me,” Kuhns said. “But I didn’t want to be somewhere where my feet weren’t. I didn’t want to disrespect my team, coaches or Mercyhurst in general by not giving my all to the program when they were providing me the opportunities and support that they were. It wasn’t ‘til the near end of the season where I knew I’d probably be leaving Erie.”

Kuhns’ experience with the portal — players hear good and bad things — was like cramming for a final.

She said she only communicated with a few programs while in the nationwide database.

“The portal was brutal, and I knew I did not want to spend a long time sorting through schools when I already knew what my heart wanted,” she said, “which was everything RMU is.”

Kuhns didn’t become a Division I-ready player overnight. Her scoring average went from 5.5 points as a freshman to 14.3 as a sophomore, then climbed five more.

“It takes a lot of heart and focus, and success for me includes succeeding in the classroom as well,” Kuhns said. “It takes an abundance of time-management skills in addition to doing all the ‘one percents:’ eating the right food that fuels your body, making good decisions on the weekends, putting in the hours in the offseason, getting enough sleep, taking care of your mind, and the list goes on.

“I think it looks a little different for everyone, but consistency and commitment to the process even on the days you don’t feel like it is something I always carry with me.”

Adjusting to road trips also takes time. Long days and nights give way to early next mornings, and training regimens don’t excuse the student part of student-athlete.

Kuhns doesn’t have a picture in mind of how she sees her final college season playing out, only an approach.

“At the end of the day, it is basketball,” she said. “I will stay true to who I am in this offseason and continue to do the things that I have been doing my whole collegiate career. Transitioning to RMU, I wish to fulfill the roles that coach McCabe and the staff ask of me. Whatever I can do to serve RMU and leave the program better than when I got there.

“It will be like every other season, full of highs and lows that I will have to navigate with emotional maturity. But without question, my competitive spirit is ready to grind and win basketball games with teammates who have the same goal.”

Kuhns said she has considered chasing down a pro career after college.

But first, a major life commitment. She will marry her fianceé next summer. Mercyhurst fans will have heard of him: basketball player Aidan Reichert.

“I aspire to be a mother of a big family, a special education teacher, and to coach youth girls basketball,” Kuhns said. “I will let the rest of my collegiate career and God guide me to see if (pro ball) is where I am supposed to be.”

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