McKenna Woliczko reminded everyone why she is regarded as one of the brightest stars in women’s basketball’s next generation, almost a year after one of the hardest setbacks an athlete can experience. The Iowa women’s basketball signee made her eagerly anticipated comeback to the court on Friday night in San Jose, California, and she did so with confidence.
In her season debut for No. 3-ranked Archbishop Mitty, Woliczko, a 6-foot-2 five-star forward and one of the most highly regarded players in the 2026 recruiting class, put on a dominant display. She scored a team-high 19 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in just 14 minutes of play, helping the Monarchs defeat Clovis 82-44 on January 2.
It was her first game since January 4, 2025, when she suffered a torn ACL and meniscus. This injury required months of recuperation, patience, and silent resolve. For the majority of athletes, winning would have been as simple as returning to the floor. Woliczko expected greatness.
There were no obvious signs of rust despite the lengthy layoff. She played with the same poise and confidence that made her one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits; she moved fluidly, attacked the glass. Her stat line was self-evident by the time she left the game, with Archbishop Mitty leading by a significant margin.
Even though Woliczko didn’t play in the last quarter, the result had already been decided. More significantly, she felt whole again. Woliczko acknowledged after the game that he was nervous before the game, which was understandable given that he hadn’t participated in live competition for almost a year.
Nevertheless, she had faith in the procedure that had gotten her through months of training and rehabilitation. “It was more the jump ball for me,” Woliczko said to MaxPreps. “After that jump ball occurs, I’m locked into the game and don’t really notice how anxious I am anymore. I felt like a ton of weight was lifted off my shoulders after that first basket.
The night’s emotional turning point was that moment—the first goal, the first rebound, the first assurance that her body could do what her mind already knew. Woliczko proceeded to play freely, boldly, and decisively. Considering what she has achieved off the court in recent months, her performance was particularly significant.
Woliczko became the program’s most highly regarded recruit since Caitlin Clark signed in 2020 when she formally signed with Iowa on November 12. She is ranked as the sixth-best player in the country overall in the 2026 class by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports.
Examining the rankings in greater detail only serves to emphasize how unique her profile is. According to 247Sports, Woliczko is the second-best power forward in the nation, the second-best player from California, and the best signee Iowa has signed under second-year head coach Jan Jensen. Sue Phillips, the head coach of Archbishop Mitty, saw Friday night as much more than just a box score. Most people never saw it, but it was the result of months of labor.
Phillips remarked, “It was a special night, and I’m happy for McKenna and excited for our team.” “Seeing someone who is so talented and a wonderful person be able to do something she loves is amazing.” You can see that she is a graceful athlete because she puts in the same amount of effort every day. You wouldn’t be aware of the injury if you were unaware of it.
Elite athletes are frequently distinguished from the rest by their daily grind, which includes quiet mornings, repetitive drills, and the mental toughness needed to recover from a serious knee injury. The numbers weren’t the only reason Woliczko’s comeback was remarkable. The seamless appearance of it was impressive.
On January 6, Archbishop Mitty, which is currently 10-1 on the season, will play Valley Christian (6-7) at home. Fans who have a subscription to the NFHS Network can watch Woliczko and the Monarchs live. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT. Friday night gave Iowa supporters a preview of what lies ahead.
The Hawkeyes are receiving more than a highly regarded recruit. They are gaining a seasoned rival who appreciates hardship, welcomes the task, and succeeds when the lights come back on. McKenna Woliczko isn’t just back; if her comeback performance is any guide, she’s prepared for what lies ahead.
