WINONA LAKE, Ind. - A reinvigorated Grace women's basketball program is ready to tackle the 2025-26 basketball season.

The Lancers are coming off a unique season in which injuries and sickness plagued the roster, leaving Grace short handed for much of the season.

The Lancers had as few as seven players dressed late last season with a lineup that included two players from the volleyball team and a pair of players called up from the JV roster.

Despite the obstacles, Grace head coach Dan Davis said it was an opportunity to take a look at the bigger picture.

"We had so much happen to us last year that was out of our control it really made us take a step back from the wins and losses," Davis recalled. "Sports are a reflection of life. Things won't always go your way, so we really used it as a learning opportunity to see how we respond when we hit obstacles."

The Lancers started last season 5-0 and were 9-6 before injuries took their toll on the team.

"Obviously our record last year wasn't what we would have wanted, but that is one of the teams I am most proud to have coached because of the way they continued to compete despite the odds," Davis continued. "It really demonstrated the kind of young ladies that we have in this program and the culture that we cultivated here."

The Lancers return eight players from a year ago and also add five fresh faces, including four freshmen.

Among those who graduated were Kate Rulli, Kensie Holwerda (Ryman) and Peyton Murphy. They were a senior class that saw unprecedented success, playing a part of the winningest season in program history while also helping the lancers to their first ever NAIA National Tournament appearance. Their experience was highlighted by winning the NCAA National Championship in 2024, another first for the program.

"In many ways this is a new chapter for us," Davis added. "These last two years we have graduated a lot of players who saw tremendous success here. We still have some upperclassmen but this is a young team now. They still have to uphold the standard and expectation that was set by those who came before them, but they have a chance to forge their own story while honoring the past."

Molly Long and Bekah Longenbaugh are Grace's lone seniors and juniors Morganne Houk and Paula Fernandez, a new addition to the squad this season, account for the Lancers upperclassmen.

Houk and Longenbaugh will be the main returners from a statistical view from last year while each of Grace's Sophomores saw at least four starts, giving the Lancers a young but game experienced roster.

Despite a heavy underclassman representation, Davis thinks one of this team's strongest traits is the leadership.

"I have been blown away by the togetherness and leadership that this team has already demonstrated," Davis raved. "You obviously look to your seniors to set the tone, but from top to bottom this has been a team that has quickly found its voice and the ladies are willing to to step up and hold each other accountable on the small things."

Davis has been noted for the high intensity and fast paced style that his teams play, but he thinks the depth that this team boasts can help take it to another level.

"We are going to force the pace of play on both sides of the ball this year," Davis said. "It's a little different style of ball than we have played the last few years and I am excited about the depth we have up and down the lineup."

The Lancers will also have a new look on the bench with Jake Anders being promoted to assistant coach, replacing Rachel Yankosky who stepped down to pursue other business opportunities. Kensie Holwerda will serve as the graduate assistant.

"So thankful for Rachel and the role she played these past few years," Davis added. "With Jake already being on staff and Kensie being a prominent player in our program for four years the transition of our staff has been almost seamless. Whenever you can keep good people involved in your program for a number of years it really benefits the culture and I am excited to get to coach alongside Jake and Kensie this year."

The Lancers will start their season Friday when they travel to IU Northwest. Grace will then play an exhibition contest against NCAA DI Valparaiso on Wednesday.

The first home games will be on Nov. 7, as a part of the Val Weinstein classic. Grace will travel to California in December for a pair of West Coast matchups. Crossroads League play begins Nov. 19.