(WIAC) MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, the defending regular-season champion, has been tabbed to secure the 2025 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s basketball title, according to a preseason poll conducted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.
The Titans secured the 15th championship in program history a year ago and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Championship for the second time in three seasons. UW-Oshkosh is ranked eighth in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25 and brings back four starters, including two-time All-WIAC first team honoree Kayce Vaile.
UW-Stout is picked to finish second in the eight-team conference race after winning the WIAC Tournament crown last season for the first time since 2007. The Blue Devils also reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign. The Blue Devils are ranked 13th in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25 and have all five starters back. Amanda Geisen and Raegan Sorensen – both two-time All-WIAC first team selections – lead the returnees.
UW-Whitewater is pegged for third in the conference poll. A year ago, the Warhawks advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Championship for the second time in three seasons. UW-Whitewater enters the 2024-25 campaign ranked fourth in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25 and four starters returning, including two-time All-WIAC first team pick Kacie Carollo.
UW-Platteville, UW-La Crosse, UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point complete the remaining order in the conference predictions.
The 14-game conference schedule will begin on Jan. 4. The top-six teams in the standings will qualify for the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s). The event will be held Feb. 25, 27, and March 1, with all contests hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.
2024-25 Preseason Predictions – Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
2023-24 Record
- UW-Oshkosh (24-6 overall, 12-2 WIAC)
- UW-Stout (23-8, 8-6)
- UW-Whitewater (25-5, 11-3)
- UW-Platteville (14-12, 7-7)
- UW-La Crosse (13-14, 5-9)
- UW-River Falls (14-12, 5-9)
- UW-Eau Claire (10-15, 4-10)
- UW-Stevens Point (15-10, 4-10)
Team Capsules
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach: Tonja Englund; 25th season at UWEC; 406-236
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 15/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Returning All-WIAC: None
Notable Returning Players: Lucia Hauge, Sr., F; Anna Koth, Sr., G; Kyla Overskei, Jr., G; Evelyn Walker, Sr., C
UW-La Crosse
Head Coach: Moran Lonning; 3rd season (2nd at UWL); 21-31 (overall) / 13-14 (at UWL)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 12/1
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Returning All-WIAC: Kailee Meeker, Sr., G (2024-Honorable); Lauryn Milne, Sr., G (2023-Honorable, 2024-First)
Notable Returning Players: Lindsey Knuth, So., F; Ali Springers, Jr., F; Sydney Torgerson, So., G/F; Katie Waukau, So., F
UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach: Brad Fischer; 13th season at UWO; 260-71
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 13/2
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Returning All-WIAC: Bridget Froehlke, Sr., G (2024-Honorable); Sarah Hardwick, Jr., F (2023-Honorable, 2024-Defensive); Kayce Vaile, Sr., F (2023-First, 2024-First)
Notable Returning Players: Allison Forney, Sr., F; Kate Huml, Jr., G; Mallory Lindsey, Jr., G; Avery Poole, Jr., G
UW-Platteville
Head Coach: Kelly McNiff; 6th season at UWP; 49-62
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 15/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Returning All-WIAC: Ella Mackiewicz, Jr., G (2023-Honorable/Newcomer, 2024-First); Brynlee Nelson, Sr., G (2023-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Macey Banasik, Sr., G; Barb Kling, Sr., G; Brianna Prieve, Sr., G/F; Madalyn Reichmann, Jr., G
UW-River Falls
Head Coach: Shelby Lyman; 3rd season at UWRF; 28-23
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 16/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Returning All-WIAC: None
Notable Returning Players: Zoey Buchan, Jr., G; Karleigh Creasey, Jr., G; Olivia Hoerl, Jr., F; Olivia Miron, Sr., F
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Matt Hockett; 3rd season at UWSP; 26-24
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/7
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Returning All-WIAC: Gabby Gawlitta, Sr., F (2024-Honorable); Alexa Thomson, Sr., G/F (2023-Honorable, 2024-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Rachel Hagen, So., F; Courtney Kreuger, Sr., G; Kelly McIntrye, Sr., C
UW-Stout
Head Coach: Hannah Iverson; 7th season at UWS; 89-54
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 12/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/0
Returning All-WIAC: Amanda Giesen, Sr., F (2022-Honorable, 2023-First, 2024-First); Anna Mutch, Sr., G (2021-Honorable/Newcomer, 2022-Honorable, 2023-First, 2024-Honorable); Raegan Sorensen, Sr., G (2022-Honorable/Newcomer, 2023-First, 2023-Defensive, 2024-First, 2024-Defensive); Lexi Wagner, Sr., G (2024-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Allison Letcher, Sr., G; Sam Schaeffer, Sr., G; Rosella Wille, Jr., F; Maraya Wiltrout, So., F
UW-Whitewater
Head Coach: Keri Carollo; 23rd season at UWW; 439-172
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 15/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Returning All-WIAC: Kacie Carollo, Jr., G (2022-Honorable, 2023-First, 2023-Defensive, 2024-First, 2024-Defensive); Katie Hildebrandt, Sr., F (2024-Honorable); Maggie Trautsch, Sr., G (2023-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Mia Gillis, So., F; Bri McCurdy, So., G; Mallory Oloffson, Sr., F; Renee Rittmeyer, Jr., G
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