Minnesota College Athletic Conference 

South Division Women's Basketball Preview 

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #1

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Head Coach: Samantha Doucette, 4th year as the head coach at ARCC

Overall Coaching Record at ARCC: 67-27

Assistant Coaching Staff: ShaRon Miller, assistant coach

2024-25 Record: 20-10 overall, 6-4 in the MCAC, 3rd in the MCAC South, 3rd place at Nationals

Top returning players: 

Mariam Alowonle, F/C, Minneapolis, MN

Jada Lussier, G, Hastings, MN

Tereya Vaughn, F, St. Paul, MN

Top incoming/new players:  

Novi Sands-Hannah, G, Eau Claire, WI

Charis McKenzie, G, Brooklyn Park, MN

Coach Doucette on her team: "Continue to grow as a team and get better every day."

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #2

Minnesota West Community & Technical College

Head Coach: Rosalie Hayenga, 11th year as head coach at Minnesota West

Overall Coaching Record at MN West: 178-98

Assistant Coaching Staff: Avery Van Roekel

2024-25 Record: 18-11 overall, 8-1 in the MCAC, MCAC South Division Co-Champs, 4th place at Nationals

Top returning players:

Katrina Schutz, F, Eden Valley, MN

Maddie Kamm, G, St. Peter, MN

Sadie Krahling, G, Adrian, MN

Jayda Hellewell, F, Balaton, MN

Elly Moret, C, Boyden, IA

Top incoming/new players:

Izzy Klumper, G, Westbrook, MN

Payton Reimers, G, Round Lake, MN

Katelyn Frodermann, F, Adrian, MN

Coach Hayenga on her team:  "We are really excited about the upcoming season. We have five returners from last season, along with two veterans returning after injuries from our National Championship team. We expect great leadership from these players and with a talented freshman class, we hope to compete again in the ever-tough MCAC Southern Division." 

Noteworthy Information: Minnesota West Women's Basketball is celebrating its 50th year of competition.

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #3

Ridgewater College

Head Coach: Ryan Schultz, 3rd year as head coach at Ridgewater

Overall Coaching Record at Ridgewater: 4-20

Assistant Coaching Staff: Chris Bangasser, assistant coach; and Lily Dean, assistant coach

2024-25 Record: 4-20 overall, 2-8 in the MCAC, 5th in the MCAC South

Top returning players:

Julia Hines, G, Randolph, MN

Top incoming/new players:

Kelsey Jaeger, P, Maple River, MN

Madison Norsten, F, Willmar, MN

Aly Wendlandt, G, New London, MN

Ali Pederson, G, Marshall, MN

Coach Schultz on his team:  "Our expectations for the year are to show growth on and off the court. We want to improve each day and strive to reach our full potential."

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #4

St. Cloud Technical and Community College

Head Coach: Abby Notch, 4th year as head coach at SCTCC

Overall Coaching Record at St. Cloud Tech: 25-46

Assistant Coaching Staff: Leland Harris, assistant coach

2024-25 Record: 10-13 overall, 4-6 in the MCAC, 4th in the MCAC South

Top returning players:

Jadyn Young, G, Marcus, IA

Brooklyn Fischer, G, Belgrade, MN

Top incoming/new players:

Madison Bass, G, Becker, MN

Maya Sampy, C, Osseo, MN

Kahlia Briley, G, St. Paul, MN

Coach Notch on her team:  "Every night in this league is a challenge, but that's what makes it exciting. We're ready to compete." 

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #5

Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Head Coach: Jodi Holleman, 6th year as head coach at M State

Overall Coaching Record at M State: 50-59

Assistant Coaching Staff: Abby Oberg and Marvin Perkins

2024-25 Record: 6-15 overall, 0-8 in the MCAC, 6th in the MCAC South

Top returning players:

Kaitlyn Olson, F, Roseau, MN

Top incoming/new players:

Taylor Dingwall, G, Brandon-Evansville, MN

Terri Wind, F, Cass Lake, MN

Coach Holleman on her team:  "We will be very young this year, so we will need the incoming freshmen to step up and become impact players right away." 

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #6

Riverland Community College

Head Coach: Anna Meyer, 2nd year as head coach at Riverland

Overall Coaching Record at Riverland: 0-0

Assistant Coaching Staff: N/A

2024-25 Record: Did not compete.

Top returning players:

Sydney Shelby

Top incoming/new players:

Sydney Shelby

Coach Meyer on her team:  "We are looking forward to building our program back up after a tough fold last season. We are excited about the athletes that we brought in and looking forward to improving as the season progresses." 

Minnesota College Athletic Conference

North Division Women's Basketball Preview

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #1 

Northland Community and Technical College

Head Coach: Shannon Nelson, 15th year as the head coach at NCTC

Overall Coaching Record at Northland: 314-89

Assistant Coaching Staff: Beth Tvedt, assistant coach; and Alicia Backer, assistant coach

2024-25 Record: 24-6 overall, 7-0 in the MCAC, MCAC North Division Champions

Top returning players:

Jade Reese, G, Greenbush, MN

Sierra Westberg, C, Middle River, MN

Top incoming/new players:

Josie Peterson, F, Thief River Falls, MN

Kenzie Dahl, G, Greenbush, MN

Faith Lilly, F, Warroad, MN

Brooklynn Sarauer, G, Bloomer, WI

Coach Nelson on her team: "We are only returning a couple of players with significant playing experience from last year, so we will have a very different look and feel from last season. We will be relying on our newcomers to contribute immediately, which may bring some early growing pains. We like our length and athleticism on the perimeter and overall depth in most positions."

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #2

Central Lakes College

Head Coach: Krystal Brodeen, 4th year as head coach at CLC

Overall Coaching Record at Central Lakes: 44-27

Assistant Coaching Staff: Mark Lindquist, assistant coach

2024-25 Record: 13-11 overall, 12-11 in the MCAC, 2nd in the MCAC North

Top returning players:

Alyssa Wright, C, Cass Lake, MN

Constance Bowstring, G, Deer River, MN

Bobbie Rowland, F, Cincinnati, OH

Tylicia Graves-Desjarlait, G, Cass Lake, MN

Top incoming/new players:

Lex Vesel, G, Melrose, MN

Sophia DeRosa, G, Ramsey, MN

AJ Giffen, G, Cass Lake, MN

Gracie Mudgett, G, Pillager, MN

Coach Brodeen on her team: "Returning four sophomores that all saw a solid amount of playing time last year, along with a competitive group of incoming freshmen, I anticipate us being more aggressive on offense this year, while keeping a strong defensive foundation." 

Noteworthy Information: Central Lakes will have newly renovated athletics and student services areas on campus, featuring new locker rooms, training room, and storage areas this winter.

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #3 

Minnesota North College - Itasca

Head Coach: Henry Hellmann, 4th year as head coach at Itasca

Overall Coaching Record at Itasca: 9-59

Assistant Coaching Staff: Isaac Brown, assistant coach

2024-25 Record: 7-18 overall, 3-5 in the MCAC, 3rd in the MCAC North

Top returning players:

Alice Irvine, G, Floodwood, MN

Top incoming/new players:

Taylor Whited, G, Montezuma-Cortez, CO

Bella Folkema, F, North Branch, MN

Coach Hellmann on his team:  "We have an exciting and passionate group of young ladies who love to play ball the right way. We are hoping to build on the progress the program has made the past few seasons, and we have the group to do it."

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #4

Minnesota North College - Rainy River

Head Coach: Josh Koenig, 4th year as head coach at Rainy River

Overall Coaching Record at Rainy River: 21-31

Assistant Coaching Staff: N/A

2024-25 Record: Did not compete.

Top returning players:

Taniya Hamilton, F, Waskom, TX

Jazlyn Phillips, F, Ogden, UT

Top incoming/new players:

Marrissa Mills, G, Blackduck, MN

Ella Grace Kellerby, G, Grand Junction, CO

Kadence Schmidtbauer, G, Littlefork, MN

Ally Neufeld, G, Boissevain, Manitoba, CAN

Coach Koenig on his team:  "Following a year away from competition due to injuries and roster challenges, the team is eager to return to the court and showcase its hard work and resilience this season."

Noteworthy Information: The Rainy River gymnasium has been upgraded with new scoreboards and a refreshed entrance to the athletic facility.

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #5

Minnesota North College - Vermilion

Head Coach: Ryan Zyla, 2nd year as the head coach at MNC - Vermilion

Overall Coaching Record at Vermilion: 5-23

Assistant Coaching Staff: Dominic Lynch

2024-25 Record: 5-23 overall, 4-15 in the MCAC, 4th in the MCAC North 

Top returning players:

Tamia Cahee, F, Lafayette, LA

Ny'jai Wright, G, Detroit, MI

Angie Schuchardt, F, Houston, TX

Amyia Yunker, G, Bradenton, FL

Top incoming/new players:

Danita Gonzalez

Alyria Greene

Kye Clater

Ruth Wandulu

Coach Zyla on his team: "We know we play in a very good league, just looking to be competitive every game."

Noteworthy Information: The Ironhawks' facility has been updated with new scoreboards and new chairs.

Preseason Coaches' Poll - #6

Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range

Head Coach: Brad Matuszak, 8th year as the head coach at MNC-MR

Overall Coaching Record at Mesabi Range: 25-95

Assistant Coaching Staff: Earl Otis, assistant coach

2024-25 Record: 2-15 overall, 2-6 in the MCAC, 5th in the MCAC North

Top returning players: 

Gabby Lira, G, Mt. Iron, MN

Suzy Aubrey, G, Mt. Iron, MN

Egypt Painte, G, Fort Yates, ND

Top incoming/new players:  

Zya Broden, F, St. James, LA

Jasia White, F, Osseo, MN

Memphys Tendrup, G, Bigfork, MN

Coach Matuszak on his team: "Looking to get back into playoff contention, but we will need to stay healthy and injury-free."