Under the bright lights of Big Ten Media Day in Rosemont, Illinois, veterans Hannah Stuelke and Kylie Feuerbach carried more than just the burden of expectation; they also carried identity, hope, and tangible evidence that Iowa’s women’s program isn’t starting over.
In a way, they served as the Hawkeyes’ faces for the upcoming chapter, and they did not disappoint. At a media event, it’s uncommon to see a sixth-year senior and an experienced guard work together without coming across as cynical or overly prepared. Feuerbach and Stuelke, however, never did. Even in sound bites, their chemistry was genuine. They were reading more than just talking points. They listened, they riffed, and they displayed the kind of self-assurance that comes from hardship and collision.
Their focus on subtlety was one aspect that caught my attention. As the interior anchor for Iowa and a preseason selection to the First Team All-Big Ten, Stuelke wasn’t just talking about points. She underlined how eager she is to help switch, guard, and be the kind of forward who can change course quickly. I was struck by the fact that she is willing to take on challenging tasks rather than relying solely on her strengths. When things get messy, I believe that kind of subtle leadership keeps a locker room stable.
Feuerbach’s tone was more subdued but no less impactful. She used terms like “control” and “ownership,” which may seem cliche, but they have meaning because they came from someone who has recovered from an ACL injury, transferred, and experienced roster turnover. She is anchoring stability because she understands what it feels like to be unstable.
One instance that stood out was when a reporter inquired about Jan Jensen’s expectations for the second year. The audience fell silent. Feuerbach did not falter. She declared, “We’re not satisfied.” “Because we demonstrated our abilities last year.” We now demand tougher finishes, more stops, and greater consistency. The implication was clear: we’re on our way to get you.
”We want to balance the firepower with discipline,” added Stuelke. It’s easier said than done. I do believe her, though, when she says that she enjoys watching her younger teammates “get uncomfortable.” She is a forward who has scored 47 goals in a match. She is willing to get dirty, bang on the glass, and assist in cleaning up spills, though. The kind of glue a team needs during transition is that duality—that combination of blue-collar willingness and scoring threat.
The issue of roster youth was not sidestepped. With so many young people in Iowa, turnover is unavoidable as graduates move on. The two agreed that errors will occur. However, the vigor in their voices indicated that they view mistakes as lessons rather than failures. When Feuerbach explained her desire to coach younger guards, she leaned forward and said, “I’ll challenge them.” I’ll pose the challenging query to them.
Because you will come to regret not asking the difficult question sooner rather than later. Though not blind pride, you could sense pride. Though not reverence, there is respect for what lies ahead. They discussed being more deliberate in close games, paying attention to possessions, and matching defensive intensity. That type of in-depth discussion distinguishes programs with traction from those with hype.
If you were to ask me what I was thinking when I left? that Iowa isn’t solely depending on its new coach or fresh talent to get the job done. Feuerbach and Stuelke are two of their voices that don’t rest on their laurels. Piece by piece, game by game, emotion by emotion, they want to build. That’s the kind of leadership, in my opinion, that can carry a season—not just in terms of numbers, but also in terms of heart.
