The Kent State Women’s Basketball team has been working hard in the offseason to make it back to the Mid-American Conference Tournament after losing 53-70 in the second round against Ball State last season.

The Flashes were 21-12 overall last season, and 12-6 in the conference.  

“This year, we need to build a foundation, with as many players as we’ve lost over the last two years, new players coming in, and players with elevated roles,” coach Todd Starkey said. “So, really building a foundation for what we’re going to need for this season, and then a few different things offensively and defensively that we’re changing.”

The Flashes lost guard Jenna Batsch and forward Bridget Dunn in the offseason after both had an influential impact on KSU’s success last season. Their losses will cause the team to adjust its play style. 

“They both brought something to the table,” Starkey said. 

Last year, Batsch was named on the 2025 All-MAC First Team, and led the team in scoring with 555 points. Dunn was the team’s leader in the front court, as she had the most rebounds and blocks with 332 and 41, respectively. 

This season, KSU relies on the return of several upperclassmen to step up and play an essential part in winning games. Junior guard Mya Babbitt and junior forward Janae Tyler headline that list of returning players.

“For Mya and Janae to come back, and to see their hard work being recognized and validated externally is a great thing,” Starkey said. “Also, having Corynne Hauser back is a big deal for us as well.”

The team also welcomes three freshmen guards, Caityln Holmes, Rylee Kalocay and Anna Campanelli, who are expected to carve their own path for the longevity of this team. 

“All three freshmen are very talented,” Starkey said. “They’re very different players, but all three of them have had big moments in practice, and then they have moments where they’re kind of struggling through the natural freshman things.”

KSU was ranked first in the MAC coaches’ pre-season poll, holding them to a high standard that Starkey has worked to build since arriving. 

“For the preseason poll, being ranked number one just tells us that a lot of coaches respect our program and what we’ve built,” Starkey said. “We want to rise to the occasion and validate what they said is true,” Starkey said. 

Last season, the team suffered several injuries, causing the team to run into setbacks. One of the biggest injuries was to senior guard Corynne Hauser, who missed all of last season with an injury.

“We have a couple players that are still battling some injury stuff,” Starkey said. “We’ve got some players that have now come back from injury that prohibited them last year, so it’s exciting to have a much fuller, healthier roster than we did at the start of last year, and we are hopeful that that will continue.”

Another injured player last year was Tyler. Despite her injury, she was a 2025 All-MAC honorable mention. Tyler said the injury affected her free throw shooting form, which she’s worked hard to improve in the offseason. 

“I really ended up struggling last year with my free throws,” Tyler said. “I think this year I’m a lot better. Last year I had gotten so out of rhythm, and so worried about the injury, to where I just wasn’t confident in free throws at all. Now this year, I have no brace on, I’m a lot more fluid, and I’m a lot more patient at the line.”

Tyler became a mainstay in the Flashes’ lineup and seemed to only get better as the season moved along. She averaged 20.8 minutes, 11.6 points and 5 rebounds per game. Tyler is looking forward to stepping up and being more aggressive on the offensive end. 

“I’m a very body-to-body player, but I can’t really be aggressive if I can’t be smart while being aggressive,” she said. “So, just being smart, and having less fails. Being able to read more than who’s just guarding me, but also who’s guarding my teammates.”

Tyler, along with the other players, will have to make adjustments to their game after the loss of Batsch and Dunn. For Dunn in particular, that loss will push her to be the anchor in the front court. 

“I think this leaves more opportunity for me, but also more people on the team, especially the post group, to be able to rebound and help on the defensive and offensive side,” Tyler said. 

Babbitt and Tyler are expected to be the team leaders on the offensive end this season, so their team work will be crucial for the team to be competitive. 

“Me and Mya were freshmen together,” Tyler said. “We were the only two that year, so we have a really strong bond outside of basketball. I think our bond outside of basketball will help our basketball flow. Since we’re very close, even offside off of the court, we know each other so well on the court because of that.”

Babbitt was the team’s second-leading scorer averaging 11.8 points in 33.4 minutes per game. She was also the team’s leading 3-point shooter with 83 on 41.5% from the field.

As for Tyler’s game, she plans to take on a leadership role after growing as not only a player, but as a teammate the last couple years. 

“When I came in freshman year, I was very quiet and timid,” Tyler said. “I would talk outside of basketball, but not basketball wise. Sophomore year, it was more so getting through the injury. I guess you could say I didn’t really talk much. This year, I want to be a great leader for our freshmen, and be another voice to encourage everybody else.”

KSU opens its season Nov. 3 at James Madison University. For Starkey, the goal for the season is the same as it is every year under his leadership.

“Our main goal this season is to put ourselves in the best position to win a championship in March,” he said. “There’s a lot of things that go into that, and you need some things to go your way. You have to continue to improve, and that’s what our goal is every year, to pursue a MAC championship.” 

Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].