CHICAGO, Ill. – The North Park Women's Basketball season tips off on Friday night as a now experienced group of returners step on the court for the first time this 2025-26 season.
Head Coach Annie Radenkovich, entering her fourth season leading the Vikings, returns five of her six top scorers from last season, including four of five starters. Two of those players, junior forward Caroline Long and junior guard Aliyah Hershberger, averaged double figure point totals in their sophomore seasons. Sophomore guards Naomi Kaskavitch and Aliesha Peterson and senior guard Kathryn Keehn account for a bulk of those returning point-getters from last year.
Long started in 22 of 24 games for North Park, leading the Vikings with 12.9 Points per Game (PPG) thanks to a team-leading 47.0 field-goal percentage (119-253). Long scored 20+ points in five different games through her sophomore year, including setting a career high with 26 points at Elmhurst. She added a team second-best 136 rebounds, including 53 on offense.
Hershberger averaged an even 10 PPG last season, leading North Park with 28 three pointers. One of the primary ball handlers for the Vikings and one of two players to start in all 25 games, Hershberger tallied nine games where she had at least one assist and one steal. Her 827 minutes of court time led the Vikings, accounting for one of three players to play in all 25 games.
In her impactful freshman season, Kaskavitch came off the bench to provide a spark from beyond the arc. She led the team with a 32.1 three-point field-goal percentage (18-56) and set a program fourth-best all-time mark when she made six threes against Berry College on December 20. She also led North Park with 27 steals and accounted for 62 rebounds.
Peterson also saw plenty of time on the court in her freshman season, representing the only other Viking to start in all 25 games. She boasted team second-bests in Assists (40) and Steals (25) while also grabbing 93 rebounds.
Keehn was a top-five player in every countable category for North Park last year, leading the team with 47 assists. The two-sport starter enjoyed a double-double (17pts, 10reb) in a win at Dominican on November 20 and will continue to make an impact up and down the court for the Vikings in her final collegiate season.
Teresa Morrissey also made strides in her sophomore season, coming off the bench to make 10 threes, pull down 31 rebounds, and add nine steals. Senior Shay Bowen added support off the bench, grabbing 11 rebounds with a steal in her appearances for the Vikings.
Coach Radenkovich welcomed six newcomers to this year's group that will look to break into a very familiar starting core of players.
"Our mindset going into this season is all about growth and accountability," said Coach Radenkovich. "We've challenged ourselves to improve in every area- improving details of our game, preparation, and in our team culture. Our veteran leaders have set a strong tone, and this group's commitment throughout the offseason has been outstanding. I'm excited to see that hard work translate and this group to have success."
North Park starts its season with three of its first four games away from the North Side, beginning with Lawrence University on Friday, November 7. Tipoff at Alexander Gymnasium in Appleton, Wisconsin is set for 7:00 PM CT.
