Get ready for a thrilling kickoff to the Boston University women's basketball season that's bound to stir up excitement and debate among fans! As the Terriers gear up to defend their court, their home opener against Quinnipiac promises high-stakes action that could redefine expectations for the year ahead. But here's where it gets controversial: with preseason polls stacking the odds against BU, is it fair to judge a team's potential before the first whistle even blows? Dive in to see how returning talent and fresh faces might just flip the script.
Erin Bush
BOSTON – The BU women's basketball team is all set to launch its 2025-26 season right here in the heart of Boston, kicking things off with a home matchup against Quinnipiac on Monday, November 3. The action gets underway at 6 p.m. in the familiar confines of Case Gym, where fans can expect an electric atmosphere as the Terriers step onto the court.
Building on last year's squad, BU is bringing back a solid core of 13 letterwinners, while adding two new players to the mix. Senior Anastasiia Semenova, making her comeback after sitting out due to an injury, leads the charge alongside juniors Aoibhe Gormley, Audrey Ericksen, and Bella McLaughlin, who will all serve as team captains. This dynamic group will rally under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Melissa Graves, whose leadership has been key to the program's recent successes. For beginners wondering about the role of captains, think of them as the on-court leaders who motivate the team, communicate strategies, and represent the squad in important moments—much like team leaders in any group sport.
Meanwhile, Quinnipiac comes into the season riding a wave of momentum from their impressive 28-win campaign last year. The Bobcats are retaining three of their top scorers, each earning preseason All-MAAC honors—a prestigious recognition in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, which is a competitive league grouping colleges in the Northeast, focusing on athletic excellence and school spirit.
Monday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Brian Maurer, Jack Hughes, and Caitlin Beal providing the commentary. For those who can't tune in live, GoTerriers.com offers live stats and an audio stream, and the Patriot League has an international option for global fans.
TERRIER TIDBITS
- BU is holding onto seven players who saw significant playing time, starting multiple games in the 2024-25 season. This continuity can be a game-changer, as returning players often bring experience and familiarity that new teams take time to build.
- Sophomore Allison Schwertner, who was named Patriot League All-Rookie last year, stands out as the Terriers' top returning scorer, averaging 8.2 points per game with a solid 46 percent shooting accuracy—a statistic that highlights her reliability under pressure.
- Senior Anete Adler returns strong, having averaged 8.1 points overall and ramping up to 11.7 points in her last nine games, showing how veterans can elevate their performance in crunch time.
- In total, BU is keeping nearly 77 percent of its offensive firepower, which means the team should hit the ground running without too much rebuilding.
- The Terriers were predicted to rank eighth in the Patriot League preseason poll, a preseason ranking that gauges expectations based on past performances and projections—but remember, polls are just educated guesses, and underdogs often surprise everyone.
- Sophomore Rose Azmoudeh brings experience from a season at Austin Peay, adding depth to the roster, while freshman Kate Allard is the only true rookie on the team, offering fresh energy and potential for growth.
- Coach Graves is supported by a talented staff, including assistant coach Kourtni Stevenson, and assistants Katie Nelson (a Questrom '21 alumna), Moneshia Davis, director of operations Capree Garner, and video coordinator Jake Goldman, each contributing specialized skills to training and strategy.
- The schedule looks packed: 11 non-conference games and 29 total contests spanning six different conferences, providing a mix of challenges that can help build resilience.
- On October 29, the program celebrated the addition of Serena from Team IMPACT, a grassroots basketball organization that develops young talent, as their latest teammate—proving that scouting beyond traditional channels can uncover hidden gems.
- Under Graves' direction, BU has secured wins in three of their last four season openers, a trend that speaks to strong starts and the importance of momentum in sports.
SCOUTING QUINNIPIAC
- The Bobcats finished 28-5 in 2024-25, clinching the MAAC championship and punching their ticket to the Women's Basketball Invitational postseason tournament—a big achievement that underscores their offensive prowess.
- For this season, Quinnipiac is tipped to come in second in the MAAC preseason poll, setting high bars that could fuel their drive to repeat success.
- Anna Foley and Jackie Grisdale lead the returning scorers with averages of 10.9 and 10.8 points per game, respectively, and both earned Preseason All-MAAC First Team selections for their consistent contributions.
- Karson Martin made the second team after averaging 9.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, demonstrating versatility on both ends of the court.
- Head coach Tricia Fabbri boasts an incredible 554 wins over more than 30 seasons, a testament to her enduring impact— but here's the part most people miss: does longevity alone equate to current success, or should we question if fresh coaching styles could challenge established ones?
SERIES HISTORY
- This marks the inaugural meeting between BU and Quinnipiac, a fresh rivalry that could spark new traditions and intense matchups.
- The Terriers will face a MAAC opponent for the third year in a row, following back-to-back series against Rider.
- Last year's 64-59 win over Rider was BU's first triumph against a MAAC team since 2013, highlighting how building confidence against stronger leagues can pave the way for greater achievements.
LOOKING AHEAD
- Next up, BU welcomes Dartmouth for a home game on Friday, November 7, with tip-off at 6 p.m.—another chance to showcase their skills in front of the home crowd and keep the early season buzz alive.
And this is where the conversation really heats up: With injuries sidelining key players like Semenova last year, how much can a team rely on preseason projections versus real-game adaptation? Do you think adding players from grassroots programs like Team IMPACT levels the playing field, or does it create an unfair advantage for smaller schools? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with these predictions, or is there a counterpoint we haven't considered? Let's debate and see what the season brings!
