Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College’s women’s basketball team is set to kickoff the 2026-27 season on Tuesday night with a showdown against IU Columbus.
Last season, under a new system, the Lancers started by winning five of their first six games before injuries and a lack of depth hindered Grace’s fast paced attack.
“There was a lot we learned from last year, " commented Grace head coach Dan Davis. “There were some things that we didn’t know that we didn’t know and then obviously we took some knocks early in the season that hurt our depth and forced us to alter what we wanted to do.”
The Lancers looked to bolster their depth this offseason and added seven faces to their team and will have 16 players on the roster.
Included in the seven newcomers are transfers; Brookelynn Buzzard, Ellia Foster and Allyson Rideout. Grace also welcomed first-year players Cadynce Clark, Jenna Reed, Cam Conley and Kila Foster.
“We are thrilled to add some experience with this class,” Davis commented. “These ladies add a veteran presence and a lot of grit. They quickly adapted to our culture and we expect to see them make an immediate impact. The freshmen have done a good job of making the transition to college and our system already. I expect these ladies to have an impact on our program this season.
“Overall this was a really good class for us,” Davis continued. “It is a good mix of transfers and freshmen and we expect a few of them to fight for starting roles right away.”
The Lancers will also return their top three scorers and rebounders from a year ago. Morganne Houk is expected to miss the season with an injury.
“Losing someone like Morganne is never easy,” Davis said. “She has been in our program for three years and losing her veteran presence on the floor will be an adjustment. I am still excited about what we will bring back.”
“It starts with Emma Sperry and Maddy Poynter who will carry a big offensive load for us," Davis said. “They will be our leaders on the floor and they have to consistently show up night in and night out. Braylin Terrell had a great freshman season. We as a coaching staff pushed her to extend her game on the offensive side of the ball and we think she has really met that expectation. She will be one of the best rim protectors in the league this season.”
Becca Gerdt, who nearly averaged a double-double a season ago (12.7 points and 8.5 rebounds), will miss the first weeks of the season because of an injury but the Lancers will welcome back Lily Kreischer and Mariah Stoltzfus who combined for just five games a season ago. Other returners include Abbie Ritzema, and Kate Thomas.
“We have had a really good offseason, " Davis raved. “I think there are always some things you wish you were a little further along in, but our conditioning is good, our chemistry seems to be clicking and this is as healthy as a unit that we have had in two years.”
