The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball team has been picked to finish 11th out of the 16 teams in the Northern Sun Conference preseason coaches poll. UMC was picked to finished sixth out of eight teams in the north division. Minnesota State University was selected to win the NSIC in 2025-26 with eight first-place points and 215 overall points. Concordia University-St. Paul and the University of Sioux Falls were picked in a tie for second. Minnesota State was picked to win the NSIC South, while MSU Moorhead was selected to win the North Division. Natalie Bremer of Minnesota State was named the NSIC South Preseason Player of the Year.
UMC’s Emma Miller (Sr., Albertville) was selected as the NSIC North Preseason Player of the Year.
Last year, UMC tied for 12th with a 9-20 overall record and a 7-15 conference record. The Golden Eagles return Miller, a two-time All-NSIC First Team selection and three-time All-NSIC honoree. Riley Jenkins returns after a All-NSIC Second Team honor last season. Also returning are Hope Dudycha (Jr., G, Austin) as a starter after averaging 6.8 points per game. Halle Winjum (So., G, Crookston), and Rayna Klejeski (Jr., F, Barnum), Natalie Mikrot (Sr., G, Willow River), and Brynlea Mahlen (So., G, Fosston).
The Golden Eagles have five newcomers with transfers Caleigh Adams (So., F, Bakersfield, Calif.), and Tayden Hanks (Jr., F, Los Lunes, N.M.), and incoming freshmen Taylor Dirkes (Fr., G, Osakis), Emma Pierson (Fr., G, Cherry Valley, Ill.), and Anna Westby (Fr., F, Eveleth).
“What excites me most about our team this year is our energy and potential!,” said Head Coach Natalie Moynihan. “All our girls have shown up this pre-season focused and ready to achieve the goals we have set out in front of us. They are such a fun group to be around, are eager to learn and a joy to coach daily! I can’t wait to see what our squad will accomplish this season!”
