2025 Mount Mercy Women's Basketball Season Preview
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Coming off a 17–12 campaign that saw them go 14–10 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play, the Mount Mercy Mustangs enter the 2025–26 season with both confidence and urgency. After losing three key starters—Claudia Vanzant, Annika Headington, and Malie Marfil—the Mustangs will look to a mix of experienced veterans and impact newcomers to maintain their place among the conference's upper tier.
Veteran Core Leads the Charge
Head coach Shareece Burrell will lean heavily on a seasoned trio in Sam Kiel, Isabel Wallschlaeger, and Ellie Morrill, all of whom played significant roles in last year's success. Kiel, a 5-foot-10 senior guard-forward, proved to be one of Mount Mercy's most versatile weapons last season, averaging 8.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while shooting 35% from beyond the arc. Her ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions makes her invaluable on both ends.
Wallschlaeger emerged as a steady contributor, starting nine games and averaging 5.6 points and 3.5 rebounds, while also posting 65 assists and shooting a respectable .410 from the field. Expect her to take on a larger leadership role as the Mustangs look to replace the playmaking of Marfil and Headington.
Down low, Ellie Morrill returns to anchor the interior. The 6-foot senior provided reliable depth last season, averaging 4.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in limited minutes but showing flashes of physical post play that could earn her a bigger role this winter.
Big Shoes to Fill
Replacing Vanzant and Headington will be no small task. The duo combined for nearly 27 points and 14 rebounds per game, serving as the backbone of Mount Mercy's frontcourt. Vanzant's interior scoring (15.4 PPG on 56.3% shooting) and Headington's efficiency and leadership (11.6 PPG, .565 FG%) were central to the Mustangs' offensive identity. Add in Marfil's 12.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, and Mount Mercy must replace its top three scorers from a season ago—a challenge that will test both the team's depth and adaptability.
New Faces, New Energy
Fortunately, the Mustangs reloaded with several key additions who bring size, athleticism, and experience. Tama Fenoti, a 6-foot-4 junior transfer from Hawaii Pacific and Weber State, adds immediate size and rim protection. Her presence should help offset the loss of VanZant in the paint, while also giving Mount Mercy a true post defender against the Heart's physical bigs.
Sydni Morris, a 5-foot-11 forward from Bakersfield College and Clarke University, brings a blend of strength and agility that could make her an instant rotation piece. Alongside her, Gabby Dwanyen, a 5-foot-9 junior wing from Des Moines Roosevelt and SWCC, provides athleticism and defensive intensity on the perimeter.
These three newcomers, combined with returning veterans like Sadie Struchen and Taylor Rose, give Mount Mercy a deeper and more balanced roster than the raw numbers might suggest.
Outlook
While the Mustangs lose considerable production, the 2025–26 squad appears built for sustainability rather than rebuilding. The return of an experienced backcourt, an infusion of size and athleticism up front, and a culture of gritty defense (Mount Mercy held opponents to just 64.3 points per game last year) position the Mustangs to remain competitive in the Heart.