Fans of Iowa women’s basketball have every reason to celebrate McKenna Woliczko’s return to the court following a demanding year of recuperation and rehabilitation. This Friday, when the No. 3 nationally ranked Monarchs (9-1) host Clovis (9-6), the 6-foot-2 forward, a five-star recruit from San Bruno, California, will make her eagerly awaited season debut for Archbishop Mitty High School. Woliczko, who had meniscus and ACL surgery in late January 2025, has had a difficult recovery. Fans and scouts were unsure of how soon she would regain her dominant form because the injuries had kept her out of action for a large portion of the previous season.
Woliczko’s return, now fully cleared to play, is significant for Iowa women’s basketball as well as a personal accomplishment. She joined the Hawkeyes on November 12, 2025, and is already regarded as one of the program’s best players. She is ranked as the second power forward in the country, the sixth overall player in the 2026 class, and the second recruit from California by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. She is now the highest-ranked recruit under second-year head coach Jan Jensen and Iowa’s highest-ranked signee since Caitlin Clark arrived in 2020.
It hasn’t been simple for Woliczko to return to the court. She has had to overcome the mental and physical obstacles that come with a protracted recovery from ACL and meniscus surgery, which calls for perseverance, tenacity, and an unwavering work ethic. However, Friday’s game is more than just a comeback; it’s an opportunity to demonstrate that her skill and competitive spirit have not diminished due to her absence.
Archbishop Mitty vs. Clovis will begin at 5 p.m. Central Time for fans excited to watch her first game back. The NFHS Network will stream the game, but a subscription is needed. Hawkeye fans nationwide are anticipated to watch the debut of a player who has the potential to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level.
Woliczko’s arrival in Iowa City is significant not only for her skill but also for the culture she infuses into the program. She is the epitome of tenacity, resolve, and the kind of competitive advantage that improves a team right away. Her potential has already been recognized by Iowa women’s basketball through recruiting assessments and her high school achievements, but fans will get a better idea of the kind of player she really is when she returns to the court following an injury.
Additionally, her return coincides with an exciting period for the program. Woliczko’s addition will only strengthen Coach Jan Jensen’s efforts to assemble a Hawkeye team that combines exceptional talent with capable leadership. She has the ability to make an instant impact in the paint and on the boards thanks to her height, athleticism, and scoring prowess, giving Iowa a versatile weapon that can dominate inside and stretch defenses.
In addition to representing her high school, Woliczko will be representing the program that she will call home in a few months as she prepares for the Monarchs’ game against Clovis. Fans will be reminded by each shot, rebound, and hustle play why she is regarded as one of the nation’s best recruits and why Iowa’s supporters should be enthusiastic about the future.
It’s easy for Hawkeye fans to follow Woliczko’s games for the upcoming week and beyond. Fans can follow ongoing coverage and updates from sites like Hawkeyes Wire and Scout Springgate on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), and streaming is accessible via NFHS Network. Her performances will be closely observed as a celebration of her return to form following a difficult year, as well as a sneak peek at her college career.
The tale of McKenna Woliczko is one of tenacity and promise. She has demonstrated what it means to remain dedicated to the game by dominating the court prior to injury, overcoming a difficult rehabilitation process, and now returning to a competitive high school setting. The future of Iowa women’s basketball has just become much more promising, and fans will get their first look at a player who has the potential to completely transform the program in the years to come on Friday.
