The Illinois Springfield women's basketball team opens its 2025-26 campaign this weekend at the Midwest Region Crossover, hosted by Hillsdale. The Prairie Stars will face the host Chargers at 4:00 p.m. CT on Friday before taking on Tiffin at 4:00 p.m. CT on Saturday.

Illinois Springfield
Led by second-year head coach Olivia Birt, UIS brings a balanced mix of experience and new talent into the season. The Prairie Stars return three experienced contributors while adding two proven transfers expected to make an immediate impact.

Graduate guard Kennedy Osterman, a transfer from UW-Oshkosh, brings leadership and scoring ability to the UIS backcourt. Last season, she averaged 11 points and more than four rebounds per game while shooting 42.9 percent from the field. Joining her is graduate transfer Brynn Tabeling from Limestone, who adds playmaking and defensive toughness after totaling 30 rebounds and 33 assists last season.

Kayla Rice and Allysia McDaniel are the team's top returners. Rice led UIS with 15.8 points per game and nearly three steals per contest last season, while McDaniel provided consistency in the paint, averaging 6.3 points and 5.7 rebounds.

UIS showed strong improvement down the stretch last year, and Birt's squad will look to carry that momentum into the new season with an energized and cohesive group ready to take another step forward.

Hillsdale
Hillsdale, 21-10 in 2024-25, reached the NCAA Tournament last season but graduated three senior starters, including two All-G-MAC performers. The Chargers return several key players who were part of that postseason run, including consistent scorers Savannah Smith, Annalise Pietrzyk, and Ellie Bruce. Hillsdale also welcomes a large freshman class, giving the team a mix of experienced returners and first-year contributors.

Friday's game marks the seventh all-time meeting between UIS and Hillsdale. The Chargers lead the series 5-1, including a 76-52 win in last season's Midwest Crossover.

Tiffin
Tiffin finished 9-19 overall and 4-16 in the GMAC last season, missing postseason play but returning several productive players. The Dragons are led by Megan Campbell, who averaged 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and a .913 free throw percentage last year, and Isabelle Niederst, who shot over 52 percent from the field while averaging 6.3 points.

Tiffin will open its season Friday night against Purdue Northwest before taking on UIS. The Prairie Stars lead the all-time series 4-2, though the Dragons won last year's season opener 70-63.

Follow Along
Both games will be streamed live on FloSports, with live statistics provided by Hillsdale and linked on the UIS women's basketball schedule page.