Jacksonville and North Florida Women’s Basketball Teams Revamp for 2025-26 Season

The 2024-25 season for women’s college basketball on the First Coast brought plenty of highs and lows. Both the University of North Florida (UNF) and Jacksonville University (JU) shuffled their rosters and now look ahead to a fresh start.

With new players joining and strategies shifting, the 2025-26 season could be a wild ride for fans. Let’s dig into what’s brewing for these teams.

JU Dolphins: Aiming for a Strong Comeback

Jacksonville University wrapped up their 2024-25 season with mixed feelings. They made the ASUN tournament, but a tough loss to the UNF Ospreys and then a heartbreaker in overtime against Bellarmine stung a bit.

The Dolphins want a fresh start and have rebuilt their roster for just that.

Key Returning Players

JU leans on a couple of experienced returners:

• Priscilla Williams: A 6-2 graduate guard, she put up 11.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
• Comari Mitchell: A 5-8 sophomore guard who chipped in 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

New Additions to the Roster

The Dolphins picked up some intriguing new talent:

• Tatum Brown: A 5-6 freshman guard from Grayson High, Loganville, Ga., averaged 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.
• Carmaya Bowman: A 5-10 junior guard from Shepherd College, W.Va., averaged 6.8 points and 6.0 rebounds.
• Makiya Miller: A 5-7 senior guard from Wright State, bringing 8.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

Key Games to Watch

Some matchups to circle on the JU calendar:

• Nov. 3, home opener vs. Charleston Southern (6:30 p.m.)
• Nov. 10, at Florida (7 p.m.)
• Nov. 16, at Georgia Tech (3 p.m.)
• Dec. 14, at TCU (5 p.m.)
• Dec. 17, at Texas Tech (12:30 p.m.)
• ASUN opener Jan. 1, home vs. Austin Peay (TBA)
• River City Rumble on Feb. 14 at UNF and Feb. 27, home vs. UNF

Outlook and Strategy

Head coach Special Jennings wants to build around defense and rebounding. She talks a lot about chemistry and how veterans like Priscilla Williams can help the new faces settle in.

Williams herself seems eager, pointing out how motivated the young squad is to learn and grow. You get the sense there’s a real buzz in the locker room.

UNF Ospreys: Building from the Ground Up

The UNF Ospreys struggled last season, finishing 5-26. Their lone conference win came against JU, which at least gave them a little spark.

With the roster now looking very different, head coach Erika Lambert has her hands full with a rebuild.

Key Returning Players

Not many familiar faces remain for UNF:

• Jamisyn Stinson: A 5-11 sophomore guard who averaged 7.8 points per game last season.
• Alexa Washington: A 5-6 sophomore guard who missed last year with an ACL injury but should play a big role this time.

New Additions to the Roster

UNF brought in a handful of new players hoping to make some noise:

• Abby Knauff: A 5-9 freshman guard from Bolles, averaged 15.3 points and 5.1 rebounds.
• Dezuray McGill: A 6-1 freshman forward from Miami America Heritage, with 13.5 points and 5.4 rebounds.
• Alonya Waldron: A 5-5 junior guard from Samford, averaged 6.5 points.
• Elle Blatchford: A 5-10 junior guard from Gardner-Webb, with 12.0 points and 3.7 rebounds.
• Soraya Ogaldez: A 5-8 freshman guard from North Thurston, Wash., who put up 22.5 points, 3.7 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Key Games to Watch

Here are some games UNF fans might want to keep an eye on:

• Nov. 3, at Florida (7 p.m.)
• Nov. 5, home opener vs. Trinity (Fla.), 11 a.m.
• Nov. 20, at Georgia (6:30 p.m.)
• Dec. 21, at Clemson (2 p.m.)
• ASUN opener Jan. 1, home vs. Lipscomb
• River City Rumble: Feb. 14, home vs. JU; Feb. 27, at JU

Outlook and Strategy

Coach Lambert sounds hopeful, pointing to the team’s added size and talent. She’s focusing on defense and rebounding, the areas that really let them down last year.

Jamisyn Stinson says the team’s got a ton of energy and wants to get better every day. It’s a work in progress, but you never know what can happen with a young group.

Other Notable Teams on the First Coast

UNF and JU get most of the attention, but they’re not the only programs trying to make waves this season.

SIAC: Edward Waters University

Edward Waters University, led by head coach Eric Jackson Jr., finished the 2024-25 season at 16-9. Junior point guard Imani Harris stands out as a key piece for their continued push.

Peach Belt: Flagler College

Flagler College, under coach Mo Smith, wrapped up the season at 13-15. Senior Marley Smith and sophomore Abby Smith will try to anchor the team’s inside game as they look for more wins.