Throughout the preseason, the St. Edward's women's basketball team focused on harnessing its competitive spirit and grit on and off the court. After a 2024-25 season defined by learning experiences, they have now cemented a positive, supportive, and unified culture.
 
"Last year was a starting point for us," senior guard KIANA BENNETT, part of the leadership team who transferred in last season, said. "We had an emphasis on how we wanted to build our culture, and that takes a while. We kind of had a rocky year last year, and of course, we wanted to win, but things just didn't go our way. I'm excited to see how we bounce back this year. I think we'll have a really good season."
 
Last year, the team featured eight new players – two freshmen and six transfer students— and persevered through several one-possession games in one of the most competitive conferences in the country, securing a final overall record of 11-20 and 7-15 in conference play. They view it as a building block for this year, focusing on growing from those experiences and gaining the confidence to fight through difficult games.
 
"They have what it takes to win close games," women's basketball head coach J.J. Riehl said. "Last year laid a really positive foundation for who it is that we want to be, and the biggest thing that carries over is that they know they can do it."
 
Now, those new players from last year are fully integrated into the Hilltopper mentality and the sisterhood that the program heavily emphasizes —a characteristic from the team that Riehl called "the most overwhelmingly positive trend." 
 
This year, the program welcomed four new players – freshman Jaela Hicks and transfers SUNI DAVIS, KENDALL BECK, and KIARA COUNCIL – and relies heavily on player retention. Sophomore RILEY MOORE returns to the court after being sidelined due to shoulder surgery, while junior point guard J.P. will sit this season out due to injuries. Perkins started 31 games last season, scoring 421 points and grabbing 144 rebounds in an all-conference season. 
 
In Perkins' absence, the roster has come together to fill in that gap. Council and Davis – who transferred this year from San Joaquin Delta College and Christian Brothers University, respectively – have been setting the tone and playing at a high level at practices, a glimpse of how they will make an impact during the season.
 
Led by Bennett's leadership and the expertise and passion from four-year Hilltopper MIKAH CHAPMAN – who has been playing at "a really high level" according to Riehl – the team started laying the groundwork for a successful season early in the summer to ensure that their close-knit and cohesive dynamic continues to shine on the court.
 
"Our togetherness, in terms of how we work as a group, is really, really good," Riehl said. "This (the preseason) is where we get tested on if this transfer to the basketball floor and help us be successful there."
 
At practice, their "tough and together" motto is clear, showcased through electric and contagious energy and a connection that is visible through every pass. Running successful drills one after another and constantly cheering each other on, the 2025-26 roster is persistent, eager to win, and ready to make a statement. 
 
"We want to be the underdogs, and I want people to know that we're here and we're not someone that you can just mess with," Chapman said. "We're about something; we have grit." 
 
Chapman and Bennett, along with MAKENA TOMLINSON, are members of the Ignite leadership group. Coming from Tyler Junior College last year, Bennett made an impact with her voice and leadership on and off the court, averaging 10.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Chapman, who is now a graduate student but has been here since her freshman year in 2022, has 333 points under her belt. Neither knows if this will be their last year of college basketball, but they hope to be the best leaders they can possibly be during the time they have left and leave the Hilltop better than they found it. 
 
"There's something about the blood, sweat, and tears I've put in for the past four years that just makes it even more important," Chapman said.
 
Riehl highlights the holistic approach that places equal importance on each of the team's moving pieces. With creative incentives and support off the court, there is a constant understanding that the team is expected to be adaptable, flexible, and problem solvers – both as individuals and as players. 
 
This year, the team will participate in the Puerto Rico Tournament on Dec. 16 and 17, where they will play local universities, the University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon and Interamerican (P.R). This is the first time since the 2016-2017 season that the team will play on the island.  
 
"I think that definitely gives a different touch to it," Riehl said. "Those kinds of trips are awesome because they give you experiences of different cultures and different lifestyles. Much of playing college sports should be about the experiences that help us become more well-rounded individuals. You can learn so much by simply going to an island or a different geographical region and driving through places."
 
This year will mark Riehl's 28th year on the Hilltop and 14th season as head coach, and alumni Shakera Barnes and Khiani Clark's fifth year as assistant coaches. With the leadership of Bennett and Chapman, this will be a season of positivity and connection, never losing sight of the end goal: a winning season based on toughness and togetherness.
 
The women's basketball team will play its first game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 3 p.m. for the Homecoming game against Our Lady of the Lake University.