The Ferris State University women's basketball squad enters the 2025-26 campaign with lofty expectations following yet another NCAA Division II Tournament appearance a season ago.
Head Coach Westendorp led the Bulldogs to their third NCAA Tournament berth in the past four years in 2024-25, which also includes a historic run to the NCAA D2 National Semifinals in 2023-24. The Bulldogs closed last year with a 21-12 overall record and made their eighth national tournament bid in school history. FSU also was the GLIAC Tournament runner-up.
This year, the Bulldogs welcome back 11 squad members from last season, including a six-member senior class. The group of returnees includes standout guard Kadyn Blanchard, who missed most of last season due to injury, along with a pair of returning all-conference players in Mia Riley and Mya Hiram in addition to another all-conference defensive team honoree in Elle Irwin.
FSU's other returning letterwinners include sophomores Alyssa Wirth and Grace Lyons, junior Claire Erickson along with seniors Ally Schultz and Emma Schierbeek, who were all valuable contributors a year ago. A pair of redshirt freshmen, Mia McLaughlin and Mara Mitchell, are also back this campaign.
Additionally, the Bulldogs brought in three talented freshmen from three different states who have the ability to make an impact, including guards Kenzie Garner (Sheridan, Ind.) and Charlotte Miller (Ann Arbor) along with forward Melena Glysch (Muskego, Wis.).
FSU was picked to finish third overall in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
Ferris State will take on the University of Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Oct. 30, with tipoff for the exhibition tilt set for 7 p.m. (ET). FSU then opens the regular season Nov. 7-9 at the Division II Conference Commissioners Association Tip-Off Classic in Erie, Pa.
