Photo Courtesy of Susquehanna Athletics
By Hayden Lange
Hard work really does pay off. The Riverhawks Women’s Basketball team showed that this season, as the team finished with an impressive 21-5 record, including a 14-4 record in a highly competitive Landmark Conference.
Their success led to their most successful season in 30 years, with Susquehanna looking like one of the best teams in the nation.
The team’s historic play during the regular season included dramatic wins over ranked Gettysburg, Catholic and Elizabethtown. The River Hawks dominated in Landmark Conference play, sweeping six of the nine teams in their regular season series.
The 21-5 record earned the River Hawks the No.2 seed in the Landmark conference playoffs, meaning the team would host a Landmark Conference semifinal game for the first time in program history.
SU matched up with Elizabethtown and in a close battle, the Blue Jays ended up upsetting the River Hawks in a 68-61 loss, ending their season.
Although not the result the River Hawks wanted at the end, their failures shouldn’t overshadow the success this team had. Susquehanna’s 2025-26 season featured historic achievements for the program with great basketball being played on the floor.
The team had four of their five starters averaging double digit points, with the team putting up 72.5 points a game while only allowing their opponents to score 56.8 points a game.
A big part of the success of the team this year was the energy and chemistry they had with each other.
“The chemistry we had on and off the floor really helped us and it was just amazing to be around this group of girls,” senior forward Carly George said.
It was clear all season that the team had a good connection with each other.
The Riverhawks were impressive both at home and on the road, finishing 10-2 at home and 9-2 away. A big part of the team culture and chemistry is doing things together.
“We’re very big into just like bonding with each other, music all the time,” said George.
When they had games on the road, they used the time to bond with each other and hang out on the rides. But no matter who they played or where they played, they knew they had a job to do.
“No matter what home or away, we knew we had business to take care of, and just had to lock in from the jump,” Carly added.
Assistant Coach Mike Matisi had similar words about every game.
“We prepared the same way for every game, the opponent will change and the game plan will change but our process does not,” said Coach Matisi.
The team was never more focused on one game more than another. They took every game seriously and got the job done for every one of them.
A lot of preparation and time goes into having such a successful season as the Riverhawks had.
George mentioned, “eight extra practice days in September and October before the official start date.”
But the players would also go individually and shoot around or have individual practices with Coach Matisi. And of course they are in the weight room a lot as well. Whether it be early mornings, afternoons, or after practice they get a lot of time in the gym.
They also have a lot of time to watch film of the teams they are playing.
“Coach Holko watches more film than anyone I’ve ever been around,” Coach Matisi said.
Watching film is always crucial to learn about the opponent and how to play to the strengths against them.
Being a senior on the team, George was a leader and a role model to many of the younger players.
“I just want to see the freshmen succeed to fill those big shoes,” said George.
George joins a senior class that has also valuably contributed to the team throughout their four years at Susquehanna. Julia Roth, Lauren Kline and Julia Pinckert round up a senior class who played their last season this year and are all excited to see how everyone will be in the next couple of years.
Coach Matise said, “their experience allowed them to understand what it takes to achieve certain success. So, they were able to lead by example off the court and in workouts for our first years,” when talking about the seniors and leaders of the team.
They also knew what it was like to go through tough moments throughout the season and could help guide everyone else through them.
“Something that stood out in practice and games was the work ethic of our older players. They competed every day and treated every rep in even the simplest drill as something to win,” Coach Matisi added.
The team is very confident that they will have another successful season next year.
“I’m excited to see what they’re gonna do. I think they’ll make a long run again,” Carly stated.
The team and coaches are excited to see how everyone grows and where the team will go next year.