Basketball | 10/29/2025 5:01:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (Oct. 29, 2025) – After another record-breaking season for the Texas Woman's basketball team, the Pioneers prepare for the 2025-26 season, which is just nine days away.

In the 2025-26 Women's Basketball Coaches Association Preseason Poll, TWU was picked at No. 3.

Last season, the Pioneers went 33-2, recording their fewest losses in program history. They closed the season in the Sweet Sixteen for the second straight year after winning their second straight Lone Star Conference Tournament Title and third straight LSC Regular Season Championship.

During the course of the season, TWU achieved their highest overall national ranking at No. 1, and they hosted the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament for the second straight season.

The Pioneers ended the season with the most consecutive wins in a season with 27. They broke the program record for free throw percentage in a season, shooting 78% from the charity stripe, which broke the former record of 77.6% set last season. The Pioneers also broke the record for lowest opponent field goal percentage in season, holding teams to just 34.8% throughout the season – breaking the former record of 35.3% which was set during the 2015-16 season.

To close the 2024-25 season, they were ranked No. 6 on the final WBCA National Poll.

Recently, TWU was picked as the favorite to repeat as LSC Champions in the LSC Preseason Poll.

The Pioneers return seven from last year's roster, while they welcomed two transfers and two freshmen.

The reigning LSC Sixth Woman of the Year Averee Kleinhans returns for her final season at TWU. During the 2024-25 season, she shot 39.4% from the field, dished out 74 assists, grabbed 52 steals and averaged 9.2 points per game. Kleinhans was also honored as Third Team All-LSC.

Senior guard Jada Celsur will be back on the court in the maroon and white this season. In 2024-25, she averaged 6.4 points per game on 36.1% shooting from the field. She also dished out 58 assists.

Returning for her fifth and final year, Kayla Glover shot 38.6% from the field in 28 games played. She grabbed 105 rebounds on the season, dished out 78 assists, grabbed 29 steals and scored 121 points.

Pioneers also welcome back senior Gabby Elliott, now in her second year with TWU. Last season, she shot 51.8% from the field and averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

Hadyn Collie will play her final year with the Pioneers. The senior from Wimberley, Texas appeared in 11 games and averaged 47.6% from the field.

TWU also will have juniors Avery McConnell and Kaylie Morgan, who redshirted last season, back and ready to make an impact on the court.

New this season to the Pioneers are transfers Madi Lumsden and Jordyn Hernandez. Most recently, Lumsden played at Angelo State for two seasons. During her sophomore season with the Rambelles, she started all 30 games and shot 36.9% from the field to average 9.6 points per game. Hernandez played one season at Texas A&M-Kingsville before joining the Pioneers. In her freshman season with the Javelinas, she appeared in 30 games and shot 39.3% from the field.

The two freshmen to join the Pioneers in 2025-26 both come from winning programs. Julie Kasonga joins TWU after playing high school basketball at Brewer High School. She was named First Team All-District twice and also played for True Texas Hoops. Jaylee Moss attended Canyon High School, where she helped guide her team to three District Championships, two Regional Finals, one Regional Championship and one State Runner-Up finish. Moss holds a record after going a perfect 7-for-7 from three in a state tournament game.

The Pioneers will look for strong minutes from everyone, as they look to make history again in 2025-26.  

On the WBCA Preseason Poll, the reigning Division II National Champions Grand Valley State was picked at No. 1 and Union was picked at No. 2. North Georgia and Gannon rounded out the top five.