By: Taylor Clark

Following last year’s standout win, the 2025-2026 Tigers are in full pursuit of the opportunity to go back-to-back for another Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference tournament title. By way of a seeded schedule, the upcoming Quarterfinal games tip off on Tuesday, March 3rd, at the highest seed’s court. Facing off against fierce teams like Felician, Caldwell, and conference rivals Jefferson will exact collective restraint and effective communication during high-stakes moments, but the Tigers are on the hunt. 

It’s become increasingly more clear that Holy Family women’s basketball is on the rise. The path toward another championship win is expected to be fraught with stiff competition, but the Tigers have proven their excellence on the court before, and can certainly do so again. 

When questioned about what sets the team apart from other programs, senior guard Kaelah Carter (Biochemistry, 2026) replied, “Our bench and our togetherness. We have 13 players who are prepped and ready for when their name is called. There is no drop in energy for us, and that is because we all support each other unconditionally. There’s so much love and respect, and that allows us to excel.”

As one of Division II’s East’s strongest and most adroit programs, the Tigers were ranked #1 by the latest CACC Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll in October 2025. The team earned seven first-place votes during preseason, with Jefferson and Caldwell Universities receiving three and one, respectively (“HFU Chosen No. 1 in 2025-26 CACC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll”). 

The transformative ingredients to this recipe for success might not be so complex, after all. The significant triumphs from the regular season are credited to the players’ palpable chemistry and sharp basketball IQs; skills which are testaments to the joint efforts from each other and their coaches, who encourage rebounding and physicality on both sides of the court. 

Ranking fifth in the East division and first in the CACC, the Tigers are walking targets ahead of the CACC tournament. As Dominican University of New York and Caldwell University hope to upseat the reigning champions in early March, the Tigers progress onward with a remarkable 18-3 record, establishing unmistakable dominance before the regular season draws to a close on February 28th. 

Just three weeks ago, senior guard Taylor Hinkle recorded a stunning 12 rebounds in an eight-point win over Caldwell, a team that has statistically struggled to generate defensive rebounding this season. Offensively, Kaelah Carter logged 15 points and two steals, while Claire Dougherty picked up four rebounds and two assists (“Women’s Basketball vs Caldwell University on 1/3/2026 – Box Score – Holy Family University Athletics”). 

“Turnovers are such a critical part of the game,” says senior guard Kaleah Carter (Biochemistry, 2026). “The more turnovers a team has, the less likely they are to win. Postseason is the time when every team has found its chemistry, and my main role is to disrupt that chemistry in any way I can. If their team doesn’t have the ball, there’s no way they can outscore us.”

In the event that the former two teams advance to the Semis or Finals, Caldwell receives a home-court advantage, and those fundamental skills will become crucial to synergize toward success. The pressure is rising, as Caldwell claimed their eighth straight win on February 11th against Bridgeport, but Holy Family has subjugated with twelve consecutive victories at the time of this publication.

This team has established clear dominance within the Conference, with close games even in losses. Demonstrating defined depth, consistent rebounding, and collaborative team defense, Holy Family highlights the fundamental need for disciplined defense within this specific conference and league. 

In a recent interview with the university’s very own Caring Coach, Sister Mary Joan (English Department), it was revealed that fan support and encouragement are critical to any team’s prosperity. “Through watch parties and home game attendance, the athletes at Holy Family are championed by the student population and many spirited faculty members. This community building directly reflects the University’s six core values of family, respect, integrity, service and responsibility, learning, and vision.”

With less than ten games left to play in February, the program is rapidly approaching the opportunity to compete for the conference title. The path toward another championship win is likely to be fraught with stiff competition, but the Tigers have proven their excellence on the court before and can certainly do so again. In just four short weeks, the team will contend for another title and the chance to qualify for the NCAA DII East Regional Championship three weeks later. 

Taylor Clark is an English major for the class of 2028, as well as a contributing sports journalist for Tri-Lite, who is eager to combine her love of women’s basketball with an equal passion for writing during the 2026 spring semester. She hopes to foster respect for team and player achievements, as well as to amplify women’s sports through written form to broader Holy Family affiliates overall. 

Sources:

Congratulations to the CACC champions — the Holy Family University women’s basketball team! (2025b, March 9). Holy Family University https://www.holyfamily.edu/about/news-and-media/news/congratulations-cacc-champions-holy-family-university-womens-basketball-team 

“Galleries.” Holyfamily.edu, 2024, athletics.holyfamily.edu/galleries/womens-basketball/wbb-vs-jefferson-dec-7-2024-/holy-family-university-womens-/165/25807. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Women’s Basketball vs Assumption University on 11/22/2025 – Box Score – Holy Family University Athletics. (n.d.). Holy Family University Athletics. https://athletics.holyfamily.edu/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2025-26/assumption-university/boxscore/4752 

“Women’s Basketball vs Caldwell University on 1/3/2026 – Box Score – Holy Family University Athletics.” Holy Family University Athletics, 2026, athletics.holyfamily.edu/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2025-26/caldwell-university/boxscore/4761. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026. 

2025-26 Women’s basketball cumulative Statistics – Holy Family University Athletics. (n.d.). Holy Family University Athletics. https://athletics.holyfamily.edu/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2025-26 

2025-26 Women’s basketball schedule – Holy Family University Athletics. (n.d.). Holy Family University Athletics. https://athletics.holyfamily.edu/sports/womens-basketball/schedule 2025-26 Holy Family University Women’s Basketball – Schedule – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. (n.d.). https://caccathletics.org/schedule.aspx?schedule=2236