WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Entering into the 2025-2026 season, Hartford Women's basketball hopes to bring back the winning ways with a roster that looks eerily similar to last.
Last season, the Hawks finished with a 10-16 record and an 8-10 record within the Conference of New England (CNE). Hartford struggled in the non-conference with a 2-5 record, including a 4-game losing streak to start the season. The Hawks turned the season around, however, playing solid basketball within the CNE, earning themselves a bid to the Conference Tournament. Hartford drew the #5 seed and fell in their round one match up against the #4 seeded University of New England by the score of 63-38.
HOMECOMING FOR THE HEAD COACH
Back in May of this year, the Hartford Women's Basketball team announced the hiring of a new manager to take the reins for the upcoming season. Jackie Smith '11 (More about her playing career) enters her first season as head coach and returns to Hartford after her stint as assistant from 2013-2016. Not only was Smith an assistant, she also played a vital role in the most successful era in Hartford Women's Basketball history as a player. As a junior, Smith earned a spot on the America East All-Conference Third Team for her outstanding play for the Hawks. By the end of her career, Smith etched her name in the Hawks' record books, ranking 2nd in career free throw percentage (.815), 6th in 3-point field goals made (107), 7th in assists (292) and 8th in games played (122). Now as head coach, Smith looks to write a new chapter of success in her career with the Hawks on the sidelines.
Smith is not the only new coach for the Hawks as Spencer Shore and Miranda Nixon also enter their first years with Hartford as assistant coaches. The new coaching staff has without a doubt shaken things up for the Hawks and junior guard Taryn Blevins (St. Louis, Mo.) says it's for the better.
"This year our coaches have pushed us to play at a really high intensity each and every day in practice. This has really translated on the court for us as we have been able to have the game be easier than practice is and feel this will allow us to compete and win a lot of games."
Although the coaching staff looks completely different from last year, the roster has remained relatively unchanged from last season. After graduating zero seniors from the 2024-25, junior center Ava Naszimento (Secaucus, N.J.) and the Hawks believe that another year together is just what they needed to make some noise in the CNE.
"I think for the last two years we have been a pretty young team so to have this experience, this new leadership and bond that we all have, I think it will only benefit us and make us better"
TOUGH TEST
To start off the season, the Hawks are slated to play a gauntlet of out-of-conference opponents, potentially playing multiple ranked teams outside of the CNE. Blevins believes that playing as a unit could be the key to navigating the tumultuous opening slate.
"We have to focus on what we have, using our length and skills that our team possesses and just having that grit and determination. At the end of the day, showing up for each other should lead us no matter how tough the opponent."
Full Incoming Class
Guards (2): Allie Shenloogian (Park Ridge, N.J.), Gabrielle Matthews (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forwards (1): Jordyn Bay-Kent (Norwich, Conn.)
SEASON OUTLOOK
The Hawks have a 25-game slate in 2025-26 with nine regular season games in Chase Family Arena. The season tips-off on November 8th when the Hawks travel to Northampton, Mass. to face off against California Lutheran University in the Tyler-Tip Off hosted by #4 Smith College.
The 16 game CNE schedule kicks off on December 2nd when the Hawks travel to Springfield, Mass. to take on Western New England. Last year the Golden Bears finished with a record of 25-4 with a 16-2 record within the CNE.
On November 14th, the Hawks will host the United States Coast Guard Academy for the team's home opener at Chase Family Arena. Tip off is slated for 5:00 PM.
All home games will be live streamed on the CNE Network powered by HUDL, while other game coverage can be found on the schedule home page.
For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
