Season Kickoff for Snow College Women’s Basketball
The Snow College women’s basketball team is set to launch its 2025-26 season this weekend at the Snow College Classic, taking place in Richfield, Utah. The Badgers will face two competitors over this two-day tournament, starting with Yavapai College on Friday.
Opening Matchup Details
The season begins on Friday, October 31, against Yavapai College, with the game scheduled for 5:15 p.m. The Badgers will follow this with a matchup against the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) on Saturday, November 1, at 1:15 p.m. Both games will occur at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.
Opponents Overview
Yavapai College
This encounter marks only the third time Snow College will compete against Yavapai. Since reinstituting its basketball program for the 2022-23 season, Yavapai has faced the Badgers in two out of the last three seasons, with Snow College holding a 1-1 record against them. Yavapai finished last season with a 5-20 overall record, including a 3-15 conference mark and an average of 50.1 points per game.
College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
Meanwhile, CSN, who transitioned to the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference in 2024, concluded the 2024-25 season with a 22-10 overall record. The Coyotes finished fourth within their conference and reached the Region 1 Championship, only to lose to Eastern Arizona College. Throughout the season, CSN averaged 82.2 points per game, showcasing a strong offensive presence.
Previous Season Recap
The Badgers concluded their prior season with a commendable 21-11 record and a 9-6 mark in conference play, securing the second seed in the Region 18 Tournament. They managed a first-round victory over North Idaho College but fell short against Salt Lake Community College in the championship round. The team notably achieved 20 wins in a season for the first time since 2018-19 and demonstrated an improved performance in their last third of the season.
Roster Insights
The roster for the 2025-26 season includes 14 players, consisting of five returning sophomores and nine freshmen. Key returning players include:
- Sydnee Smith: Averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds last season.
- Seini Tuipulotu: Contributed 4.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
- Dalana Jokovljevic: Appeared in 22 games, averaging 3.2 points and 3.2 rebounds.
- Katie King: Played nine games last season, providing depth.
- Emily Backus: A transfer from CSN, she started 21 games in her previous season.
The team’s diverse roster includes players hailing from Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and even international athletes from Japan and France.
Upcoming Schedule Highlights
The Badgers are scheduled for a total of 13 home games this season. Aside from the Snow College Classic, they will participate in several tournaments, including:
- The Eastern Arizona Classic (November 6-8).
- The Eagle Classic in collaboration with Utah State University Eastern (November 14-15).
- The Midland CC Classic in Texas (November 20-22).
Conference play will commence on January 3 against Colorado Northwestern Community College, continuing with matches against Salt Lake Community College and Utah State University Eastern shortly thereafter.
Coaching Staff and Broadcasting Information
Head coach Zu Grinsell returns for her sixth season, accompanied by assistant coach Jenna Czarnecki and volunteer assistant Megan Tanner. Grinsell has successfully led the team to above-.500 records in three out of five seasons and is aiming for further success this year.
All home games will be aired on SnowTV and available via the Scenic West Digital Network, with play-by-play coverage provided by Tanner Wilkinson. Pregame and post-game shows will accompany broadcasts to enhance viewer experience.
Next Steps
After the Snow College Classic, the team will head to Thatcher, Arizona, for the Eastern Arizona Classic, where they will compete against a series of formidable opponents including Cochise College and Eastern Arizona College.
