By: Andrew Miller, sports information assistant
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's basketball team opens its 2025-26 campaign by hosting a Conference Challenge (PSAC vs. CIAA) Friday and Saturday at Heiges Field House.
The Raiders feature a young squad – 11 of the 14 players on the roster are either freshmen or sophomores – so they will need to be quick studies as they aim to compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
Schedule
The Raiders play host to Fayetteville State Friday, followed by Lincoln Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.
The early season home slate continues when SU welcomes Point Park to Heiges Field House Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.
The nonconference slate will feature a home-and-home with a third CIAA opponent in Bowie State, with the Raiders hosting the Bulldogs Dec. 5.
Shippensburg's PSAC schedule begins with a crossover date at California (Pa.) Dec. 16, and East Division play gets underway at Bloomsburg Jan. 7.
Roster
Shippensburg returns seven players and welcomes a group of seven newcomers in 2025-26.
Among the seven newcomers are six first-year student-athletes and one transfer: former Point Park guard and current SU sophomore
Mackenzie Stoner.
Meanwhile, just one player is operating as a senior in 2025-26 and in her final season of eligibility: forward
Makayla Foddrell.
From an athletic eligibility perspective, the team has one seniors, two juniors, four sophomores, and seven freshmen.
Coaching Staff
Kristy Trn is in her 27th season (and 28th year overall) as the head coach of the Shippensburg University women's basketball program.
Trn's 417 career victories are the most in SU Women's Basketball history and rank among the Top 30 for active Division II head coaches. She is a five-time PSAC Divisional Coach of the Year (2001, 2002, 2013, 2017, 2020).
Dave Smith returns for his tenth season as the primary assistant coach. He previously spent eight seasons at SU's head coach (1990-98), leading the 1996 team to the NCAA National Championship game.
Assistant coach
Matt Allen is in his fifth season on the SU coaching staff. In 2024, Allen was one of just 32 coaches spanning NCAA Divisions I, II and III who was selected to participate in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Next Generation Institute -- a high-level education program for experienced assistant coaches who aspire to become head coaches in the NCAA.
Notes
Foddrell started the most games (14) last season among the returning players and averaged 4.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest.
Sophomores guard
Abbie Johns started eight games a season ago, while sophomore forward
Michelle Olak made seven starts. Both showed flashes as freshmen – Johns scored 17 points on 7-11 shooting against Clarion, while Olak authored a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double against Lock Haven – and they are poised to contribute more in 2025-26.
Redshirt-freshman guard
Rylee Kraft (two starts, 4.1 ppg) is seeking to return to play after she missed most of last season due to injury. Juniors
Bella Chimienti and
Mia Johnson will begin the season on the sidelines as they rehabilitate injuries sustained last winter.
The team has named Foddrell, Chimienti and Olak as its 2025-26 captains.
Position Breakdown (This listing is tentative entering the season and subject to change.)
Guards (8): Bella Chimienti,
Melana Eyer,
Abbie Johns,
Mia Johnson,
Rylee Kraft,
Mackenzie Stoner,
McKenzie Thomas,
Riley Watson
Forwards (6): Makayla Foddrell,
Kiara Hardy,
Lauren Marton,
Allie Mumau,
Michelle Olak,
Zaria Spann
Home Breakdown
Pennsylvania (8)
Bella Chimienti (York, Pa./Central York)
Melana Eyer (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area)
Abbie Johns (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area)
Rylee Kraft (Columbia, Pa./Lancaster Catholic)
Lauren Marton (Trafford, Pa./Penn-Trafford)
Allie Mumau (Penn Run, Pa./Liberty U. Online Academy)
Zaria Spann (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East)
Mackenzie Stoner (Mercersburg, Pa./James Buchanan (Point Park))
Maryland (4)
Kiara Hardy (Westminster, Md./Gerstell Academy)
Mia Johnson (Waldorf, Md./St. Charles)
McKenzie Thomas (Waldorf, Md./St. Charles)
Riley Watson (Ellicott City, Md./Howard)
Virgina (1)
Makayla Foddrell (Warrenton, Va./Fauquier)
Canada (1)
Michelle Olak (Montreal, Canada/Westtown School (Pa.))
