CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The University of Dubuque women's basketball team starts a new chapter this season as first-year head coach
Madeline Jansen looks to lead this team to new heights in what should be another great year of competitive games in the American Rivers Conference. The Spartans were picked to finish seventh in this year's preseason coaches' poll.
The Spartans return second team all-conference performer
Samantha McDonald who led the Spartans with 11.9 points per game and was active on defense, leading the team with 51 steals and 21 blocks. Senior
Mia Miller will be commanding the offense yet again after a career year that featured 98 assists, along with 43 steals.
The Spartans will also be getting back junior
Felicity Figlinski who missed all of last season due to an injury. She will be bringing back a spark from the three-point line after making a team-high 36 three-pointers and shooting nearly 43% from beyond the arc in her first season with the Spartans. The Spartans have also added four new additions to the team this season.
"It's an honor to step into my first season as a head coach in the American Rivers Conference," added Jansen. "I have great respect for the coaches and programs in this league — and I'm eager to see how our players continue to grow and respond."
Along with Jansen, the Spartans coaching staff adds assistant coach
Liz Oswald to the staff and second-year graduate assistant
Bonnie Jensen returns to the Spartans' staff.
The Spartans 2025-26 season will begin on Saturday, November 8 when they travel to Marian University to take on the Sabres in the season opener at 1:00 p.m. After a four-game road trip to open the season, the Spartans will play their season opener on Friday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m. against the UW-Platteville Pioneers. The conference slate starts on Wednesday, December 3 as the first of two games in the cross-town rivalry with the Loras College Duhawks will be inside the Stoltz Sports Center with tip off at 5:30 p.m.
The second annual University of Dubuque Paxton's Pack Classic will take place shortly after Christmas with the Spartans playing two games against UW-Stout (Dec. 29) and Augustana College (Dec. 30).
Key Dates
Saturday, January 17 – 2:00 p.m. (Alumni Day)
Saturday, February – 2:00 p.m. (National Girls & Women in Sports Day)
Saturday, February 21 – 2:00 p.m. (Senior Day)
The 2026 American Rivers Conference Women's Basketball tournament will be held on February 24 (First Round), February 26 (Semifinals), and February 28 (Championship Game). The winner of the tournament will earn the conference's automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's basketball tournament that will be held in March.
For more information regarding the University of Dubuque women's basketball team please visit
https://udspartans.com/sports/womens-basketball for all the latest on news, schedules, rosters, etc.
A-R-C Women's Basketball Preseason Poll (first place votes)
- Coe – 64 (8)
- Wartburg – 54 (1)
- Luther – 49
- Simpson – 46
- Central – 30
- Buena Vista – 26
- University of Dubuque – 24
- Loras – 23
- Nebraska Wesleyan – 8
