The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team aim to continue showing growth as a program entering the second season under the leadership of head coach Dianna Ros.

Last year the Blues struggled to find momentum as they finished sixth in the OUA Central division with a 2-20 record. Despite the overall record, energy remained positive as the focus remained on building a foundation for the program under the new leadership. During the offseason, the Blues were able to inject the roster with the return of athletes from injury, as well as the recruiting of talented rookies and transfers. Set to be a team focused on sapping opponents through a tenacious defensive intensity, the U of T women's basketball program are eager to show they are heading in the right direction.
 
FROM THE COACH'S DESK:
"As a coaching staff, we're so exciting for this season! Our players spent a lot of time this off-season working on their game and we're excited to get the opportunity to showcase their work all season long. The goal is to continue building a strong foundation for our culture and continue providing an environment that is healthy and challenging for our student-athletes. Building habits and growing our mindset will go a long way as we work towards finding a team identity and work towards a common goal that is making a playoff run this season."

• Dianna Ros, University of Toronto women's basketball head coach

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Key Returnees: Lia Barbieri (G), Zi Yang Wang (F), Faith Joseph (G), Gabrielle Reed (F)
Key Additions: Janet Enge (F), Gracelin Spenrath (G), Kiyomi Huestis (F), Franziska von Janson (F)
 
LAST SEASON'S LEADERS:
PTS/G: Raya Hafez | 22 GP, 11.4 PTS/G
REB/G: Zi Yang Wang | 20 GP, 7.0 REB/G
AST/G: Kaylee Williams | 22 GP, 1.9 AST/G
STL/G: Kaylee Williams | 22 GP, 1.7 STL/G
 
FROM THE COURT:
"As we move into the regular season, our team is ready to compete against the best in the conference. We are excited to fight as a unit with some new faces, in our recruits, transfer player and a few players coming back from injury. We have a good opportunity as an underdog to show the league the results of the work we put in over the summer. We continue to have the goal of solidifying our identity as a contender in the league with lockdown defence and offensive cohesion. Also, we are steadily building up our culture, under our new coaching leadership, of hardwork in details producing long-term growth. We are excited to utilize the sisterhood we built over the months as an advantage over our competition. Converting our bond into on-court chemistry and execution in intense gameplay."

• Faith Joseph, 3rd year, Guard

 
MARQUEE GAMES:
Nov. 1 vs. Lakehead
The 2025-26 home opener for the Blues inside the Goldring Centre Kimel Family Field House, U of T will be looking to replicate their result from an exciting 61-60 victory in Thunder Bay last season. Toronto traveled to Lakehead for a pair of games in 2024-25 but will see the reverse this season, hosting the Thunderwolves in this home opener and then also in the regular season finale in mid-February. This game will also begin a four-game homestand for the Blues where they will have the opportunity to build some early season momentum on home court.
 
Nov. 21 at Algoma
Making the long trip to Sault Ste. Marie, this marks a rematch of last seasons 85-58 win for the Blues in Toronto. The victory marked the first for new head coach Dianna Ros and with another versus the Thunderbirds on the road this year could serve as a springboard into two final home games afterward to close out the fall semester. Toronto holds a 9-2 record versus Algoma dating back to 2014, including a string of seven consecutive wins.
 
Jan. 30 vs Ontario Tech
Facing off with another program trying to build an identity, this late-January contest versus the Ridgebacks could be crucial in any late-season attempt at a playoff push. Since Ontario Tech joined the OUA basketball calendar in 2019-20, the Blues hold an even 3-3 record. With three of Toronto's last four contest this season coming on the road, this most recent showdown with Ontario Tech will be a valuable measuring stick for the burgeoning Blues program.

GET YOUR TICKETS
Game tickets can be purchased at varsityblues.ca/tickets. Entry is FREE for U of T students with a valid T-Card.

All Varsity Blues basketball games will also be streamed live and on-demand via oua.tv.