2026-27 Tufts University Women's Basketball Season Preview

MEDFORD, MA (November 11, 2026) -- The 2026-27 season kicks off for the Tufts University women's basketball Friday, November 13 in Worcester, traveling to take on Clark University. The contest will be the first game for new head coach Clare Fitzpatrick, who was hired in May and is the 10th coach in program history after serving as an assistant at Division I University of Massachusetts-Amherst the last few seasons. Along with her arrival has come a new sense of excitement heading into this campaign. 

"There is a tremendous amount of excitement surrounding our program right now," said Fitzpatrick. "From the moment we stepped on the court together, our players have embraced the opportunity to build something special. We have a strong foundation of experience, a group that has fully embraced a new style of play, and a tremendous amount of enthusiasm within our program. There is a real sense of belief in what we are working toward, and I am excited to see that translate onto the court." 

After 11 straight Sweet 16 appearances from 2008 to 2023, the team has missed the NCAA Tournament in two of the last four seasons including last year. Tufts showed signs of promise last year with wins over Babson College, Rhode Island College and No. 4 Smith College. The consistency was missing though, a fair criticism for a team that was playing four new starters from the season prior including two first-years. 

Fitzpatrick has come in and prioritized relationship building and putting a foundation in place that will help with the bumps in the road that come with a coaching transition. "Our biggest priority was building relationships and establishing a strong foundation as a group," said Fitzpatrick. "Anytime there is a new coaching staff, there is an important process of learning how everyone communicates, competes, and approaches the game. We have spent a lot of time getting to know our players and understanding what makes each of them successful. In return, our players have continued to learn more about us and what we value. I think that connection has grown tremendously throughout the preseason and has allowed us to develop a stronger sense of trust and togetherness.

The good thing for Fitzpatrick is that the Jumbos only graduated one player from last year's 13-12 squad, and returns all five starters including a pair of sophomores in Tessa Lozner and Abby Congdon that led the team in scoring. But with a new team and first-year players coming in, it's always interesting to see who takes on a leadership role. The good thing for this squad is that Fitzpatrick has already seen this team gelling and leaders forming. 

"So far this preseason, Annie Ryan and Abi Stone have really stepped into bigger roles for our team," said Fitzpatrick. "Annie has led by example every day at practice. Most days, you can find her being one of the hardest workers on the floor, and she has seen a lot of success. With Abi, you can see her confidence growing every day. She has become more assertive and continues to do the little things that put herself and her teammates in positions to be successful." 

Along with returners stepping up, the Jumbos brought in a class of five newcomers that the coaching staff is excited to see compete once the season approaches. "We are really excited about the talent and depth our incoming class brings to the program," said Fitzpatrick. "They have done an outstanding job adjusting to the college game and integrating themselves into our team. Nyah Yao has impressed us with her versatility and ability to impact the game in so many different ways. Paige (Spencer) has one of the quickest releases from the three-point line, and her shooting ability will be a great addition to our team." 

The hope for Fitzpatrick is that the Jumbos will build an identity as a hard working, fun and exciting team on the floor. "When people watch Tufts women's basketball, I hope they see the hardest-working, most vocal, and most energetic team on the floor," said Fitzpatrick. "Our players take a lot of pride in how hard they work and how they compete with one another. Offensively, we want to play with pace, share the basketball, and take advantage of our versatility. I think our depth and ability to stretch the floor with our shooting will be important strengths throughout the season." 

A position-by-position break-down is below: 

GUARDS
The Jumbos will have an experienced and talented backcourt group this season, led by the trio of Lozner, Congdon and fifth-year Annie Aspesi. 

Lozner had a break-out season for the Jumbos, as the then first-year finished 10th in the NESCAC in scoring with 12.9 points per game. She also was fifth in field goal percentage, shooting 47.7 percent, tops among guards in the NESCAC. Her ability to get downhill and get to the basket is among the best in the NESCAC. She also paced the Jumbos in assists per game with 2.3 a contest. 

Congdon was another first-year guard that exploded on the scene last year as she was the "do-it-all" guard for the Jumbos on the floor. Congdon finished averaging 10.3 points per game, but added 4.1 rebounds per game along with a team-high 44 steals. She also led the team in blocks, and nailed 29 triples. Her passion, energy and assertiveness on the floor should continue to help Tufts win games in her now sophomore season. 

Aspesi started all 25 games last year for the Jumbos, finishing second on the team in three-point makes with 31 while shooting a very solid 35 percent from three-point rank. Aspesi also added 4.9 rebounds, the leading rebounder for Tufts last season, while also finishing third on the team in minutes. 

Senior Stella Galanes played in all 25 games for Tufts as a junior, all off the bench, and finished fifth in scoring with 7.4 points per game. She nailed 20 three-pointers and was efficient at the free throw line as well, making 79.4 percent. Galanes has the ability to fill the scoresheet quickly, evidenced by the 28 points she posted in a win over Vassar last season. 

Senior Annie Ryan played in all but one game last season as a reserve, shooting 31 percent from three-point range while adding 20 steals as an effective "3 and D" option on the wing for the Jumbos. Sophomore Maddy Steel battled through some injuries as a first-year, but played in seven games including pouring in 11 points against Vassar in just 12 minutes of action. 

First-years Paige Spencer, Grace Kearney, Nyah Yao and Annika Tufo will all look to crack the rotation this season in the backcourt for the Jumbos. 

FORWARDS
Tufts will look to solidify the forward rotation this season, as starter Siobhan Stapleton and Claire Kolkhorst return after getting the majority of the minutes at the 4 and 5. 

Kolkhorst started all 25 games as a sophomore, making a team-high 44 three-pointers last season while making 37.3 percent from three-point land. She also added 44 steals and pulled in 3.9 rebounds as well. Kolkhorst plays with confidence and can fill it up quickly when she gets in a rhythm from deep. 

Stapleton started 12 games last season, and one of the of the best defenders on the team. She posted 76 total rebounds and blocked five shots, but was a very good passer for a post as she was third on the team in assists per game with 1.8. She also led the team in assist/turnover ratio at 1.77. A smart post with high IQ, she was great at setting screens and opening up options for others. 

Junior Abi Stone played in 20 games last year, showing the ability to be a very strong low post scoring option. Stone scored 21 points against Colby, and added 16 points in a win over ranked Smith College. Stone has great feet, can shoot the ball from range and knows how to score in bunches. 

Senior Hope Nardone returns for her final season with the Jumbos, and is looking solid in preseason as her ability to shoot from the perimeter will be an asset. She will look for an uptick in minutes in 2026-27. Sophomore Hazel Nelson and senior Emma Heckman will both be joining the squad after the Tufts volleyball season ends, but both add athleticism and height to the paint. 

First-year Niamh Stapleton, younger sister of Siobhan Stapleton, also arrives this year as a newcomer and will battle for minutes as a tough and physical post presence. 

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The Jumbos start on the road Friday, November 13 at Clark University, but then will play four of its next five games in Cousens Gymnasium including its home opener Sunday, November 15 against Pomona-Pitzer at noon.