Optimism In The Air: How Maryland’s 2025-26 Season Laid The Foundation For A Bright Future

The mood of the Terps’ final press conference of the year shifted as it progressed, perhaps symbolizing the longer-process mindset that the team will adapt over the coming months.

By the time Okananwa and Mir McLean left the podium and coach Brenda Frese had given her thoughts, the tone of the answers had shifted from heartbroken to hopeful. If the Terps’ 2025-26 season taught us anything, it’s that a Frese-led team can overcome anything. This season may end up being a stepping stone to a brighter future for Maryland Women’s basketball. 

“I think it's really important to give a locker room perspective,” Frese said. “As much as we hate to lose — and that's not changing — we wanted to share with them how proud we are as a staff. We faced so much adversity. When you talk about the injuries and the tough January stretch that we had, nobody ever pointed fingers. Watching these young women grow, they'll be able to carry into life the knowledge that when the hard things happen, they will be able to come through.”

Okananwa was a shining star in her first year as a Terp, logging 28 games with double-digit scoring, 14 performances with 20+ points, and a trio of double-doubles. She led Maryland in scoring 19 times in 2025-26, and takes nothing but positive memories away from her first season in College Park. 

“There really aren’t words to describe how happy I am to be a Terp and be coached by Brenda Frese,” Okananwa said. “This has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve been so blessed to be a part of it, and I just want to keep playing for Brenda and playing for the name on my chest for as long as I can.”

As much as Okananwa — and so many other weapons this season — contributed to the team’s successes this season, it was two freshmen who stole the show in the big dance. Addi Mack and Kyndal Walker combined for 61 points in the Terps’ two postseason games, showing that no moment was too big, and that the future is incredibly bright in College Park. 

“Yes, we had three seniors, and they carried the heavy load,” Frese said. “But the amount of freshmen that we had to play this season was uncharacteristic nowadays. To watch their growth in this tournament, and to see the influence and the moments that they were able to have, that's why we do what we do. It's all about the journey.” 

“I’m incredibly proud of our freshmen,” McLean said. “They’ve shown so much grit and growth, and it's amazing to see as a leader. They're leaders themselves, and I have no doubt in my mind where they're going to take this program.”

As a leader herself and a captain of this year’s team, Sunday’s game was bittersweet for McLean as she thought about her legacy within the program. “I’m just so very proud that they trusted me to be their leader.”

The three seniors — McLean, Saylor Poffenbarger and Yarden Garzon — leave their own individual legacies behind. Garzon’s 88 three-pointers on the year rank fifth in Maryland all-time single-season history while Poffenbarger eclipsed both the 1,000-career point and 150-career rebound marks this year.  

“I feel like I've had a four-year experience here,” McLean said. “I'm very grateful for my coaches who have always poured into me and everybody else. I'm very proud of these ladies and what we've been able to show this year in times where other teams might have fallen apart.”

This team faced injuries, hard stretches, and a grueling Big Ten schedule, but still came away with 24 wins, a 16th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and incredible optimism for the future of the program. The loss stings for now, but the Terrapins will emerge from their shell again for another exciting campaign in the not-so-distant future.