The past few years, the University of Providence women’s basketball team has opened its season on the road against nationally-ranked opponents. That’s because UP coach Bill Himmelberg had an experienced team capable of earning immediate national recognition.
This year, the Argos are taking a different approach. They have scheduled their first three games at home, where a talented but inexperienced squad hopes to have time to develop its identity.
“It was very intentional to open up at home because we’re very young and new to each other,” Himmelberg said last week. “We lost a lot (talent and experience) and we’ll need some time to find ourselves.”
UP opens its 2025-26 season Friday night at 5 at McLaughlin Center against Texas A&M-San Antonio, then hosts Bushnell University of Oregon Saturday at the same time. Neither opponent is nationally ranked, but are capable teams, Himmelberg said.
“Those will be challenging games for us,” said the coach, who has won 277 games in his 15 years as head coach of the Argos. “We’ll have to play well to win.”
UP has a major rebuilding project on its hands, having to replace All-Americans Keanna Salavea (post) and Ashlee Maldanado (point guard). Salavea, a junior, transferred to Sacramento State, while Maldanado exhausted her eligibility. They combined for about 32 points and 16 rebounds per game last season.
Veteran guard Kolby Pimperton of Belt also graduated, and starters Taliah Lee and Monique Carter both transferred to Mid-American Christian in Oklahoma.
That leaves junior Eliannah Ramirez and senior Ainsley Thurber as the most experienced returnees; each averaged about 6 ppg last season. Senior Mckenna Reggear also has been in the program for three years.
Himmelberg recruited 5-10 guard Brooke Dial from Waldorf U. in Iowa and 5-11 post Sofia Mokofisi from Findlay U. in North Carolina, and both should be key additions. Dial was the fourth-leading scorer in the NAIA ranks last season at about 22 ppg. Redshirt freshman Madi Reibel also should be “an impact player,” according to Himmelberg.
The coach said balance will be key to the team’s success this season.
“We don’t have the studs, the All-Americans. But we have 12 good players and they’ll all have to contribute.”
The Argos were picked No. 4 in the new 12-team Frontier Conference, behind nationally ranked Dakota State, Carroll College and Rocky Mountain College. The 22-game league season opens Nov. 13 at home against MSU-Northern.
By George Geise: October 24, 2025 – Great Falls, Mt
Author: Staff
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