Success is also following one of the program’s most anticipated future stars as No. 12 Iowa women’s basketball continues to roll through a strong start to the 2025–26 season. Archbishop Mitty High School and Hawkeyes 2026 signee McKenna Woliczko are doing well early this winter, despite Woliczko recovering from a serious knee injury.
With a 10-1 overall record and a 1-0 Big Ten start going into mid-December, Iowa has solidified its place among the top teams in the country once more. Woliczko’s Monarchs are making waves at the high school level while the Hawkeyes are making waves at the collegiate level. According to MaxPreps, Archbishop Mitty has jumped out to a perfect 6-0 start, averaging 68.2 points per game while limiting opponents to just 40.0. The Monarchs have risen to the top of the national rankings thanks to their potent offensive and defensive combination.
Archbishop Mitty is ranked first for the third week in a row in the Sporting News’ most recent Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings, which were released this week. The Monarchs have defeated Oakland Tech 63–41 and Mission Hills 68–33 in recent games, looking every bit like the best team in the country. Notably, Mitty had already defeated Mission Hills 56-34 a week prior, highlighting the Monarchs’ superiority over the majority of their rivals.
Woliczko hasn’t been on the ground during any of this. Since sustaining an ACL and meniscus tear on January 4, 2025, the 6-foot-2 five-star forward has been sidelined. This injury ended her senior campaign and directed attention toward a cautious, long-term recuperation. She is not anticipated to make her season debut this week at the Nike Tournament of Champions, where Archbishop Mitty will be vying for its third consecutive title, despite the fact that her return is drawing near.
The Monarchs are still a real threat to win it all even without one of the nation’s best players. The national heavyweights in the field include Long Island Lutheran, Mater Dei, and Bishop McNamara, but Archbishop Mitty’s depth, discipline, and defensive intensity give it a genuine chance to overcome the obstacle. It may sound audacious to say, but the Monarchs could definitely win another championship without Woliczko, at least for the time being, as Sporting News writer Lance Smith pointed out.
Nevertheless, the ceiling would be raised even further upon her eventual return. Woliczko has stated that her recovery is going well and that she hopes to resume playing in games in the early months of 2026. Given that Mitty is aiming for the CIF Open Division girls basketball state championship, it is anticipated that she will bring an additional level of dominance to an already exceptionally talented roster when she returns to the court.
Woliczko’s development is being closely monitored by Iowa supporters. She became one of the Hawkeyes’ biggest recruiting successes in program history as soon as she signed on November 12. ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports rank her as the sixth-best player in the nation; 247Sports ranks her as the second-best power forward in the nation and the second-best player from California.
She is in unique company with those honors. Since Caitlin Clark arrived in 2020, Woliczko has been Iowa’s top-ranked signee, a comparison that inevitably sparks enthusiasm and high expectations. She has already left an impression on Hawkeye supporters even before she plays a college game. Woliczko won Sporting News’ preseason National Player of the Year fan vote thanks to the fervent support of Iowa’s fan base, demonstrating how quickly she has gained acceptance in black and gold.
Despite a recent Cy-Hawk loss, the current Hawkeyes in Iowa City are still focused on the task at hand. They responded with a dominant performance against Lindenwood, maintaining their position in the AP Top 25 rankings. The patience being shown with Woliczko’s recuperation process is reflected in that resilience. Her long-term health is far more important than any immediate return date, so there is no rush.
For the time being, Iowa continues to rise, Archbishop Mitty continues to win, and Woliczko keeps getting closer to the point when all three routes come together. Her high school team and her prospective college program stand to gain from a talent that has already demonstrated the ability to propel teams to the top of the national conversation when she eventually takes the court again. For coaches, teammates, and fans alike, her story continues to be one of hope, perseverance, and faith. all across the country.
