The No. 13 Michigan women’s basketball team started off it’s 2025-26 campaign with a dominant win over Canisius. Michigan dropped 51 points in the first half, and won this one easily, 100-40.
The Wolverines are coming off of their seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance, falling to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Round of 32 last season. Michigan needs to replace the production of senior Jordan Hobbs — who led Michigan with a career-high 28 points in its Round of 64 win over Iowa State — senior Greta Kampschroeder, and center Yulia Grabovskaia.
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While those key members from last year’s rotation are gone, the majority of Michigan’s core is still in tact, headlined by sophomores Olivia Olson, Syla Swords, and Mila Holloway. Swords and Holloway represented Canada in FIBA competition this summer, and Olson and Swords were named second team All-Big Ten team. After leading the team in scoring last season, Olson and Swords earned a number of preseason honors, and are expected to lead this team in more established roles.
Here are some key takeaways from the Michigan win to open the season, and a look ahead to a fun non-conference schedule for the Wolverines.
Holloway helps push the pace, and the bench brings energy
Much like the men’s team, Michigan’s women’s team was pretty good in transition in the season opener.
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Mila Holloway did a great job conducting traffic in the open floor, throwing the ball up ahead to teammates and finishing with seven assists to go along with a team-high 21 points. Holloway and Olivia Olson combined (39 points) to nearly outscore Canisius by themselves. Holloway got to the rim seamlessly, and made an effort to push the ball up the floor whenever she could.
After a lethargic offensive start, the Michigan bench brought good energy, with Brooke Quarles Daniels corralling four steals in the first quarter alone to help the Wolverines jump out to a double-digit lead late in the period. Michigan as a team had 25 steals, a mark that ranks sixth in program history. Allendale native Ally Van Timmeren also utilized her size well off the bench, scoring six quick points in that first quarter.
Olson ices this one to end the half
Canisius was hanging around early in this one thanks to a hot shooting start, but the Wolverines methodically got the lead up to double digits, and Olivia Olson helped put a fork in the Griffins with some hot shooting at the end of the half.
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Olson led all scorers with 13 points at the half, including threes on back-to-back possessions to extend Michigan’ halftime lead to 25. She beat the halftime buzzer on that second three.
Olson sat a large portion of the second half with Michigan maintaining that large lead, thanks to a 19-0 run. Olson scored 18 points and made it look effortless. She led Michigan in scoring last season, and she’s capable of leading Michigan on a deep run in March. I’m excited to see how she looks against some better competition in the non-conference slate.
Michigan’s got more size than last season, and they took advantage in this win
As fun as last season’s team was to watch, Michigan often played with five guards, with Hobbs and Kampschroeder forced to do a lot of dirty work inside. Michigan usually had enough scoring to make it work, but certain teams with size gave Michigan fits.
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This Michigan team has a bit more size compared to last year’s squad. Bucknell transfer Ashley Sofilkanich did whatever she wanted around the rim, scoring 14 points and grabbing five rebounds.
Van Timmeren was also good in the post, and Te’Yala Delfosse’s back-to-back baskets late in the second quarter also ballooned Michigan’s lead to 20 points.
Michigan had a clear plan to get paint touches, and good things happened from there. The Wolverines scored 70 points in the paint to dismantle Canisius.
These forwards played well off of Michigan’s guards, and finished well around the rim. This year’s team may be more well-rounded than last year’s, especially when UCLA transfer Kendall Dudley returns from injury.
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A cool honor for Ashley Sofilkanich
After scoring in the opening seconds against Canisius, Sofilkanich notched her 1,000 collegiate point. It’s a pretty impressive way to kick off Sofilkanich’s Michigan tenure.
Quick Injury Update
Kendall Dudley, a transfer from UCLA expected to play a big role this season, was unavailable for this one. Assistant coach Danielle Rauch told Maize N Brew she is considered day-to-day, with the wing nursing a lower body injury sustained over the summer.
What’s Next
Michigan welcomes Harvard and Binghamton to Crisler Center for it’s next two home games. The Wolverines’ non-conference schedule is headlined by three big tests: a Round of 32 rematch against No. 15 Notre Dame in Detroit, and also have games set against No. 1 UConn and Syracuse at the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. As Swords alluded to at Big Ten Media Days, getting reps against these teams to challenge themselves will only help the Wolverines in the long run.
