Ridgewater Women’s Basketball Eyes Stronger Season with Deeper Roster

The Ridgewater Warriors women’s basketball team is gearing up for a promising season in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC). This year, they’ve got a more competitive and larger roster.

Head coach Ryan Schultz feels pretty optimistic about the 2025-26 season. He thinks the team’s depth and talent will make a real difference compared to last year.

The Warriors will open their season with a non-conference game against Free Lutheran Bible College. They’re hoping to build on what they’ve learned and maybe turn things around.

Ridgewater Warriors: A Season of Hope and Renewal

After a tough 4-20 season, the Ridgewater Warriors want a fresh start. Coach Schultz points to an open conference and a stronger roster as reasons for hope.

Last year, the team barely had enough healthy players, sometimes just six. Now, they’re starting with 10, which gives them a better shot at competing.

Key Players to Watch

Among the returners, Julia Hines stands out. The 5-foot-2 sophomore guard from Randolph led the Warriors with 10.6 points per game last season and made 74 three-pointers.

Her outside shooting will be a big part of the team’s offense. Another player to watch is Hannah Keller, a redshirt freshman who missed last season with a knee injury.

Keller, a 4-11 guard from Osseo High School, is also known for her outside shot. Both guards could be difference-makers if they stay healthy.

New Additions to the Roster

The Warriors have added nine freshmen this year, bringing some much-needed energy and talent. Here are a few of the newcomers:

• Madison Norsten: A 5-9 guard/forward from Willmar
• Aly Wendlandt: A 5-8 guard from New London-Spicer
• Kelsey Jaeger: A 5-11 forward from Maple River High School
• Teagan Oslin: A 5-8 forward from Mora
• Charlize Arcoren: A 5-6 guard from Rosebud, South Dakota
• Rochelle Dean: A 5-6 guard from Bertha-Hewitt
• Ali Pederson: A 5-7 guard from Marshall
• Kyra Jensen: A 5-6 guard from Chanhassen

Coaching and Strategy

Coach Schultz plans to use all 10 players, though not everyone will play the same minutes. He thinks the team’s quickness will let them play in transition, which just wasn’t possible last year.

The Warriors will mostly play man-to-man defense. Depending on the game, they might switch to a full-court press.

This kind of flexibility wasn’t really an option last season. The limited roster forced them to play it safe.

Conference Outlook

This year, the MCAC South Division feels wide open. Rochester Technical & Community College, last year’s NJCAA Division III national champ, isn’t fielding a team due to a lack of players.

Minnesota North-Hibbing is also out, so there are new opportunities in regional play. Coach Schultz sees Minnesota West of Worthington as a possible favorite, but he expects the competition to be close.

With seven teams in the MCAC South, the top four will make it to regional play. The Warriors definitely have a shot at advancing if things go their way.

Upcoming Games

The Warriors will kick off the season with five straight road games. First up is Free Lutheran Bible College, then Northwestern of Iowa JV and Dordt University at the Minnesota West Classic in Worthington.

They’ll also take on Minnesota North-Itasca and Northland Community & Technical College in Thief River Falls. The home-opener is set for November 21 against Minnesota North-Rainy River.

After that, they’ll play North Dakota State College of Science on November 25 in Willmar. Should be an interesting start to the season.

Conclusion

The Ridgewater Warriors women’s basketball team looks ready for a season of real growth. Their roster runs deeper this year, and there’s a fresh wave of optimism in the air.