FAYETTE, Iowa - Upper Iowa women's basketball starts the 2025-26 season this weekend at the Wisconsin Dells Crossover. The Peacocks face a pair of GLIAC opponents in Northern Michigan (3-0) and Michigan Tech in Justagame Fieldhouse.

Tip-off vs. Northern Michigan is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday. The Wildcats picked up three wins against California (Pa.), Gannon (N.Y.) and Edinboro (Pa.) at the CCA Tip-Off Classic this past weekend. Northern Michigan received 49 votes in the preseason WBCA Poll.

The Peacocks face Michigan Tech on Saturday at 7 p.m. This is the opening weekend for the Huskies as well, after playing Michigan State in an exhibition game on Oct. 22. 

"Northern Michigan is in the NCAA Tournament just about every year, and Michigan Tech is either in the NCAA Tournament or the first out every single year," said head coach Justin Maass, who enters his fourth season with Upper Iowa. "We're getting that type of competition immediately right off the bat. It's going to be a fun challenge for us." 

MEET THE PEACOCKS: RETURNERS
After graduating Mia Huberty (18.4 ppg) and Kayla Bohr (11.7 ppg), the Peacocks' top returner is junior guard Ava Privet. The Caledonia, Minnesota native returns after averaging 7.4 points per game last season and shooting 39.9% from the field. 

"She's a heck of a shooter with a quick release," Maass said. "She's added to her game a lot by being able to drive more. Last year, it was mainly 3-pointers for her. This year, Ava's shot more 2-pointers so far in the scrimmages, and we're looking for more rebounding out of her, which can be huge with the size she brings."

Sydnee Nelson is also expected to step into the point guard role for Upper Iowa. She averaged 4.1 points per game in 2024-25 but was third on the team in assists, averaging 2.3 per game. 

Lindsey Davis is in the mix for her sophomore season after averaging 6.1 points per game last year. Other returners include Steph Cink, Kenzie Deaton, Amara Retreage, Amelia Valentino and Brooke Lechleitner. 

MEET THE PEACOCKS: NEWCOMERS
The team brings in seven newcomers with four transfers and three freshmen. The top transfer is Ellie Foster out of Northern Iowa, who started her career with Wisconsin-Green Bay, then played in 21 games last season for the Panthers.

"We had a connection because our graduate assistant, Mackenzie Kielty, was the manager at Northern Iowa. That helped a little bit. We dove back and watched her freshman year and a lot of high school stuff, and she was one of the best high school players in Iowa. On top of that, she's 5'11 and athletic."

The sixth-year graduate has brought a nice dynamic with her offensive production to the team in the preseason.

"Everything we thought she could be is what she's been so far," Maass said. "She's fitting well with the team, and she'll be a huge piece for us. Hopefully, we can maintain the production she's been putting up for us this preseason and keep that old body going.

Bryar Duwe also comes to the Peacocks from Truman State after starting 30 games for the Bulldogs during her sophomore campaign last season. Duwe averaged 9.2 points while making a team-high 50 3-pointers last season.

"She's been a great fit in terms of culture and mindset," Maass said. "She is a super awesome and competitive player. She also gives us a secondary ball-handler. We've always been a bit thin at true point guards, so it's been nice having two point guards at the same time."

Freshmen Kendyl Lodermeier and Magi Bjornson will also see some action at the post position for the Peacocks. They are stepping into a role that is heavily relied on by the team. 

"Our offense relies a lot on the post players being facilitators," Maass said. "They have to know everything, their IQ has to be great and they need a feel for the other players. That's been an adjustment for them, because that's not how they previously played. But they've been doing great with it so far."

Jordan McMahon from Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Reagan Hofer from Central College also joined the team as transfers this season. Freshman guard Josie Foster is another addition to the squad from Caledonia, Minnesota. 

GLVC POLL
Upper Iowa was selected eighth in the GLVC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 101 points. Drury (Mo.)  took first in the poll with 191 points and 10 first-place votes. Last season's regular-season champion, Lewis (Ill.), was picked third, and the tournament champion, Quincy (Ill.), was picked 10th. 

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
After starting the season against Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech, the Peacocks have their home opener against former NSIC foe Winona State (Minn.) on Tuesday, Nov. 18. After that, UIU plays Augustana (S.D.) on Saturday, Nov. 22, and Clarke on Nov. 24 in Dorman Gymnasium. 

"I like to adopt the Tom Izzo scheduling mindset, where you play tough teams early," Maass said. "Winona State and Augustana are going to be a challenge and a heck of a test. We beat Augustana last year, and that was a big win for us. Clarke made the NAIA Tournament two years ago, so there are no cupcakes on the schedule."

The GLVC season begins on the road against Quincy on Dec. 1. The Peacocks then have five straight home games in December vs. Lincoln (Mo.), Missouri S&T, Waldorf, Roosevelt (Ill.) and Lake Superior State. 

"Starting strong is going to be crucial, especially since we end the season with three straight road games, which will give us an opportunity at the end of the year to get some points toward the conference standings," Maass said.