UW-Whitewater Women’s Basketball: 2025-26 Season Preview

The UW-Whitewater women’s basketball team is entering the 2025-26 season determined to make a statement. Following the graduation of five seniors, four of whom were starters—including All-American Kacie Carollo—the team is stepping into the season with a younger lineup and acknowledged inexperience. Consequently, external expectations are considerably subdued, as illustrated by their absence from the D3hoops preseason top 25, where they are noted as “other teams that received votes.”

Aiming for Redemption

Despite the lower expectations, the Warhawks are fueled by a desire to prove their detractors wrong. Junior guard Bri McCurdy expressed this sentiment by stating, “We just want to prove something. We want to show that even though we lost a big chunk of our team, we will come back and fill the void. We’ll be just as strong if not stronger.”

Senior guard Renee Rittmeyer echoed this motivation, embracing the underdog role while maintaining confidence in her team. “We’re looking to kind of come from behind and shock people a little bit,” said Rittmeyer, emphasizing that being new doesn’t equate to being weaker.

Goals and Ambitions

The Warhawks’ aspirations for the season remain lofty. Head coach Keri Carollo pointed out, “They have their eyes set on some pretty lofty goals this year… they are working hard to get to them.” Primary objectives include:

• Winning the WIAC regular season championship
• Securing a second consecutive WIAC tournament victory
• Reaching the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament for the fifth straight year
• Aiming for the program’s first national championship

Carollo reiterated the team’s commitment to maintaining high standards, saying, “The consistency of our standards and expectations is why we have sustained success.”

Building New Foundations

With only one returning starter from the previous season—McCurdy—the Warhawks are poised to build their new identity. They also welcome key returning players: Rittmeyer, senior forward Logan Lowry, junior forward Mia Gillis, and junior guard Camryn Nies. The graduated seniors accounted for 3,539 minutes on the court, representing roughly 56% of total playing time.

Freshmen Brooke Stenklyft and Grace Bronski are expected to take on significant roles. Stenklyft, a forward from Cambridge, was recognized as an all-state player last season. Bronski, a guard from Chicago, contributed to a state championship team at Loyola Academy.

“Stenklyft has come in and done a great job, and Bronski is a physically strong, athletic guard,” noted Carollo.

Leadership and Team Culture

As the season approaches, McCurdy and Rittmeyer have stepped up as leaders, empowering younger teammates to understand the expectations placed upon them. McCurdy remarked, “I want to be the best leader and captain I can for the team because we don’t have as much experience as we’ve had in the past.”

The sense of community within the team—evident during the previous season’s Sweet 16 run—remains a hallmark of UW-Whitewater’s program. “This feels like a family, and I’m going to miss them a lot,” said Trautsch, a former team member.

Adopting a Competitive Approach

The upcoming season’s style of play will be characterized by a fast and aggressive approach, aiming for an up-tempo offense complemented by a physical defense. Coach Carollo indicated that her squad’s depth would allow for diverse contributions each game. “Hopefully there’ll be a bunch of different names that you’ll be able to rattle off and see how each person contributes in a different way,” she stated.

McCurdy, who averaged 6.1 points per game last season and notably excelled defensively, has been focusing on enhancing her offensive skills. Rittmeyer, known for her hardworking, well-rounded contributions, adds to this balance.

Upcoming Schedule and Preparations

The Warhawks will engage in two exhibition games against Edgewood University and the Milwaukee School of Engineering before officially commencing the season against Washington University (St. Louis) on November 8. These engagements will serve as crucial opportunities to assess their team dynamics and resilience.

Carollo emphasized the importance of these matchups, stating, “These are opportunities for us to get out the measuring stick and see where we’re at.”

Conclusion

As the Warhawks prepare for the upcoming season, they enter with a great sense of purpose and community. Following the collective experience of their departed seniors, players like McCurdy and Rittmeyer exhibit a strong commitment to upholding the program’s legacy. Rittmeyer remarked, “While other people may have lower expectations for us, we don’t.”