WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNCW women's basketball will return to Trask Coliseum for an exhibition contest against Barton College on Oct. 29. The Seahawks will then play 29 regular-season during the 2025-26 season, featuring 13 home games and 16 road contests.

GAME COVERAGE
UNCW Seahawks vs. Barton Bulldogs 
Gates Open: 6 p.m.
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: UNCWSports.com/BuyTickets (Special $7.50 price)
Live Stats: None
Live Stream: None 
Promotion: Postgame Autographs

NEW AT TRASK
Improvements have been made with the fan experience in mind, highlighted by an upgraded lighting system and improved Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the coliseum. More concession speed lines will be available throughout the building to reduce wait times and get fans back to the game day action.

In addition, several new concession options will be available this year, including souvenir cups, special menu items and kids meal.

Click here to read more.

SEASON PREVIEW

Nicole Woods enters her third season at UNCW. Last season, Woods navigated the Seahawks to an appearance in the second round of the Coastal Athletic Association tournament. 

During the 2024-25 campaign, the Seahawks improved their overall win total by nine, finishing with a 14-18 record. The Seahawks' 8-10 record in Coastal Athletic Association play matched their league-win total from the previous four seasons combined. 

Eight returners and four newcomers make up the roster for UNCW in 2025-26. The Seahawks lost their top four scorers from last season, including CAA first-team selection Ali Zelaya (12.3 PPG).

Zelaya was also named the 2025 CAA Defensive Player of the Year last season. She ranked seventh in the nation with 81 blocked shots and set the program's new single-season record.

The Seahawks were picked 10th in the 2025 Coastal Athletic Association Preseason Poll.

Senior guard Kate Hollifield started in 31 of 32 games last season and averaged 6.8 points per game, the most by any returning player for the Seahawks. Hollifield also led all players in the CAA in 3-point percentage during conference play, shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc in 18 CAA contests.

Sophomore guard Tia Dobson averaged 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 29 games as a freshman last season. Dobson also led all freshmen in the conference with 65 assists.

Senior guards Mary Ferrito and McCall King bring veteran experience to the Seahawks' lineup. Ferrito played in 10 games last season, missing the entire conference slate with an injury. King played in all 32 games last season and made 14 starts. 

Kylah Silver (R-So./G) and Torin Rogers (R-Jr./F) return to the court after missing all of last season with injuries. Rogers won the 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship at Richmond. As a freshman, Silver averaged 11.2 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Seahawks during the 2023-24 campaign.

Rori Cox (Gr./G) and Paige Smith (Jr./G) joined the Seahawks as transfers in the offseason and will look to add scoring depth to the offense. 

Last season, Cox averaged 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals at Virginia Union, an NCAA Division II institution. She has scored 1,447 points during her collegiate career.

Smith was an NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball All-America selection at CCBC Essex in Baltimore. Smith averaged 17.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals and made 96 3-pointers during the 2024-25 season.

Corrie McLaughlin (Jr./F) and Angelina Pelayo (R-Fr./C) are the returning post players for UNCW in 2025. McLaughlin played in 26 games for the Seahawks last season, shooting 59.1% from the field. Pelayo played two games as a freshman before missing the remainder of the season with an injury.

The Seahawks also added two freshmen in the offseason, Icyss Storm and Ebbony Wilson. 

Storm, a 6-foot-1-inch forward from Durham, North Carolina, won three state championships during her prep career and scored 1,299 points. She finished her prep career averaging 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, two assists, 2.6 steals and two per game.

Wilson, a 5-foot-10-inch guard from Los Angeles, led the state of California in scoring as a senior, averaging 31.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.