5 Shocking Reasons Maryville University Women's Basketball Is Dominating The GLVC In 2025-2026
The Maryville University Saints women's basketball program is currently one of the hottest teams in NCAA Division II, proving their preseason hype was more than just talk. As of today, December 23, 2025, the Saints boast an impressive 9-3 overall record and a 3-1 mark in the highly competitive Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), riding a one-game winning streak that solidifies their status as a major contender. Following a thrilling run to the GLVC Championship game in the previous 2024-2025 season, the Saints were picked to finish second in the league's preseason standings, a testament to the foundation built by Head Coach Brita Hand and the incredible talent on the court.
This article dives deep into the strategic shifts, key players, and coaching brilliance propelling the Maryville women’s basketball team to the top tier of the GLVC, exploring why the St. Louis-based program is a must-watch for any college basketball fan.
The Architects of Success: Maryville University Women's Basketball Leadership and Roster Profile
The foundation of any dominant sports program lies in its leadership and the roster's depth. The Maryville Saints have both, combining experienced coaching with a dynamic blend of veteran and emerging talent.
Coaching and Program Biography
- Head Coach: Brita Hand
- Role: Head Women's Basketball Coach
- Hiring Date: Announced in April (prior to the 2024-2025 season)
- Notable Achievements: Led the Saints to the GLVC Championship game in her first full season (2024-2025).
- Associate Head Coach: Max Ethridge
- Conference: Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC)
- NCAA Division: Division II
- Team Nickname: Saints
- Home Arena: Moloney Arena (part of the Simon Athletic Center)
Key Roster Entities (2025-2026 Season)
The 2025-2026 roster features a mix of seasoned upperclassmen and promising young players who have quickly adapted to the demanding GLVC schedule:
- #23 (Scoring Leader): Currently the Saints' leader in total points and points per game, this player is the offensive engine of the team.
- Bree Shannon: A Senior Guard (G) from Wellington, Mo., Shannon provides veteran leadership and reliable backcourt play.
- Yazmeen Whitsitt: A Redshirt-Freshman Guard (G) from Decorah, Iowa, Whitsitt represents the future of the program and has shown early flashes of brilliance.
- Gracie Gopalan: A key guard on the roster, contributing to the team's strong assist numbers.
- Alicia Burgos: A vital presence in the paint, helping to manage the rebounding battle.
- Madyson Rigdon, Hadley Crosier, and Annika Pluemer: Other core players providing essential depth and specialized skills across the court.
1. The Brita Hand Effect: A New Era of Strategic Excellence
The arrival of Head Coach Brita Hand has been the single most significant factor in the team's recent resurgence. Her coaching tenure, though relatively short, has already yielded historic results, including the program's dramatic run to the GLVC Championship game in the 2024-2025 season.
Hand’s philosophy emphasizes aggressive defense and fluid, high-tempo offense, a style that has clearly resonated with the players. The team’s ability to execute complex plays and maintain composure in high-pressure situations—like the GLVC tournament—suggests a deep level of trust and buy-in to the new system. Her leadership, complemented by Associate Head Coach Max Ethridge, has transformed the team's culture.
2. The Offensive Engine: Unveiling the Unstoppable #23
Every successful team has a primary offensive threat, and for the 2025-2026 Saints, that role belongs to the player wearing jersey number 23. This individual is the team's current scoring leader, consistently putting up points and driving the offense. Their performance is a crucial element in the Saints' 9-3 start, especially in conference play where offense can often stall against tough GLVC opponents.
The team's success is not solely dependent on one player, however. They demonstrate a balanced attack, which is reflected in their impressive 163 total assists, significantly outpacing their opponents' 128. This strong assist-to-turnover ratio highlights the team's unselfish play and commitment to finding the best shot, a hallmark of well-coached basketball.
3. The GLVC Championship Run: Building a Culture of Winning
The momentum from the previous 2024-2025 campaign is arguably the most powerful intangible asset for the current team. Making it all the way to the GLVC Championship game, where they faced a formidable opponent like Quincy University, instilled a belief and expectation of winning that permeates the program.
This experience taught the players how to navigate the pressure of a single-elimination tournament and compete against the best teams in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. That exposure to high-stakes basketball is invaluable, giving the Saints a mental edge in tight games this season. The preseason prediction of a second-place finish was a direct result of this proven success and the retention of core talent.
4. Senior Leadership and Emerging Talent Synergy
The Saints have created a perfect synergy on the roster by pairing experienced seniors with high-potential underclassmen. Senior Guard Bree Shannon provides a steady hand and leadership on the court, guiding the team through tough stretches. Meanwhile, the emergence of Redshirt-Freshman Yazmeen Whitsitt offers a glimpse into the program's bright future, ensuring a consistent pipeline of talent.
This blend of experience and youth is essential for a long season. The veterans handle the pressure of conference play and road games (where the Saints hold an impressive 4-0 record this season), while the younger players bring energy and fresh perspectives, pushing the pace and challenging the status quo in practice every day.
5. Defensive Identity and Rebounding Resilience
While the offense is dynamic, the Saints maintain a solid defensive identity. The team’s overall statistics point to a highly competitive style of play, focused on limiting opponents' opportunities. Though the rebounding margin is a slight -0.4, the team's ability to compete on the boards against larger Division II opponents speaks to their collective effort and tenacity.
The program’s focus on defensive fundamentals and creating turnovers helps fuel their transition game, making them a dangerous team to face. As the GLVC season progresses into the new year, the Saints’ ability to maintain this defensive intensity will be the key to converting their preseason expectations into a top seed for the 2026 GLVC Tournament. With their current 9-3 record and a strong conference start, the Maryville Saints women's basketball team is well on track to surpass their previous achievements and cement their place as a Division II powerhouse.
Detail Author:
- Name : Shany Rice II
- Username : bednar.jason
- Email : savanah09@wolff.com
- Birthdate : 1992-10-23
- Address : 590 Tavares Vista Apt. 985 Greenholtbury, IN 46525
- Phone : +1-650-741-7119
- Company : Becker and Sons
- Job : Host and Hostess
- Bio : Veritatis sint eius reprehenderit sunt consectetur quo sed quasi. Nihil adipisci consequatur odio aperiam. Nemo officiis sunt omnis quae.
Socials
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@felix7539
- username : felix7539
- bio : Totam tenetur perferendis maxime ex laborum necessitatibus.
- followers : 6151
- following : 669
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/felix_conroy
- username : felix_conroy
- bio : Maiores et eos libero quod.
- followers : 210
- following : 934
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/felix.conroy
- username : felix.conroy
- bio : Aut deserunt aperiam et veritatis natus aut. Voluptas iusto velit consectetur laudantium libero. Eos beatae quisquam et optio.
- followers : 1651
- following : 204
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/conroy2021
- username : conroy2021
- bio : Omnis maxime ipsam tenetur blanditiis. Suscipit quibusdam et amet officiis tenetur.
- followers : 3402
- following : 2007
