After a disappointing 6-19 finish to last season, Saint Mary’s basketball improved to an 8-17 finish in the 2025-2026 season under second-year head coach Rob Hoffman.
The season opened with strong momentum. Despite falling in the season opener, the Belles found success while hosting the first-annual Inn at Saint Mary’s Classic, where they earned two wins. They added two more at the Hanover Invitational. However, when the schedule shifted to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play, the team faced a tougher challenge. The schedule was front-loaded with top-ranked opponents, which tested the Belles’ depth, but the team played gritty basketball and secured important wins against Olivet and Adrian throughout January. Saint Mary’s did not make it to the postseason tournament.
Despite long stretches of losses, the Belles saw distributed success across the roster. Junior guard Kate Restovich, who led the team in points (275), field goals (80-228) and free throws (82-102), also saw the court in every game of the season. Her impressive performance at Adrian on Dec. 10, where she scored 21 points, set the standard for the rest of the season and solidified her role as a primary scoring threat for the remainder of conference play. Her sister, junior guard Annie Restovich, also made significant contributions for Saint Mary’s, leading the team in three-point shots (54-161), making her a reliable long-range shooter and allowing her guards to be open in the driving lanes.
The underclassman also showed out for the Belles, leading in four categories, and providing a glimpse into the future of the program. Freshman guard Liv Fry led the team in rebounds (118) and assists (86), proving her ability to kickstart the transition and set up her teammates for their best scoring. The defensive pressure continues on both the perimeter and rim, as sophomore guard Ella Notaro led the team in steals (39) and fellow sophomore guard Kate Passinault led in blocks (18), demonstrating how underclassmen have become the defensive backbone of this roster and have allowed the Belles to stay competitive in MIAA play.
Notaro and senior guard Alyssa Matuza were named to the College Sport Communicators Academic All-District team.
Despite their poor record, Hoffman remained confident that the Belles will continue to improve. Upon taking over the program, Hoffman understood that rebuilding the Belles would be a multi-year process, and now, a summer of recruiting and player development ensues.
