PUEBLO, Colo. - The Colorado State University Pueblo women's basketball team will officially tip off its 57th season this weekend at the Division II Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead in Billings, Montana, hosted by Montana State University Billings. The ThunderWolves open play Friday at 5:30 p.m. against Nebraska-Kearney, followed by another 5:30 p.m. contest Saturday against the host Yellowjackets, and conclude the three-game weekend Sunday at 3:30 p.m. versus the University of Mary.

A New Era Begins for the Pack

The 2025-26 season marks the seventh year under Head Coach Tommie Johnson, who enters the campaign with an 83-82 record at CSU Pueblo. After finishing 18-11 overall and 13-7 in RMAC play a year ago, the Pack earned their 25th RMAC Tournament appearance, continuing the program's tradition of postseason consistency.

But this season brings major change — CSU Pueblo returns just three letterwinners and no starters from last year's lineup. The ThunderWolves will feature 11 newcomers on a roster heavy with transfers and junior-college standouts, ushering in one of the most dramatic roster overhauls in recent program history.

Replacing a Generational Core

The Pack will have to replace several key pieces from last year's core — including two-time All-American Alisha Little, one of the most dominant players in Division II over the past two seasons. Little graduates as CSU Pueblo's all-time scoring leader, holding school records for points per game (20.7), blocks (295), and double-doubles (52), while finishing second all-time in Colorado collegiate history in total points (1,801) behind Becky Hammon.

The ThunderWolves' 2024-25 season came to a tough conclusion in the opening round of the RMAC Tournament, falling to Black Hills State 82-56 in Spearfish. The Pack lost their superstar forward Little late in the first half due to injury, a blow that dramatically shifted the game's momentum. Despite the setback, CSU Pueblo capped another winning campaign and showed flashes of promise from a deep rotation that carried the program into its fifth consecutive RMAC postseason appearance.

Also gone is floor general Tomia Johnson, the team's four-year starting point guard and one of the top two-way guards in the RMAC, along with veteran sharpshooter Landri Hudson, who shot 35 percent from beyond the arc during her CSU Pueblo career. The departure of that trio leaves nearly 70 percent of last year's scoring production to be replaced.

When asked about replacing that level of production, Head Coach Tommie Johnson acknowledged that this year's identity will look much different.

"I know that we won't get that kind of production, so what we decided to do was go deep and be versatile," Johnson said. "We won't rely on one dominant girl with some complimentary pieces — we are going to be 10-deep. I know on any given night we will have four or five kids who might be in double figures. It will have to be done by committee."

New Faces and Returning Leaders

Among the few returners are senior guards Genesis Sweetwine and Destiny Smith, and sophomore forward Brooklyn Meza, each looking to take on expanded roles. Sweetwine averaged 4.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game last season while appearing in 29 contests. Johnson said he's been impressed with her evolution as a leader and her readiness to take command of the offense.

"Genesis is ready to be PG1, not just be a complimentary piece," Johnson said. "She knows the system, she knows the league, and it has been fun to watch her take on more of a leadership role this year."

Johnson also praised the offseason development of senior guard Destiny Smith, who he believes could be one of the team's X-factors this season.

"Destiny had an amazing summer," Johnson said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do. In our preseason scrimmages, she has played very well. Her ability to defend multiple positions and knock down open threes will make a big impact for us."

Sophomore forward Brooklyn Meza is another key returner who Johnson is eager to see back on the floor after recovering from injury.

"Yesterday was her first full contact practice after coming off foot surgery this summer," Johnson said. "I'm excited to see her on the court — her attitude is through the roof. She is going to have a big say-so competing at the five spot for us."

A large group of newcomers headlines the 2025-26 roster, with several transfers expected to make an immediate impact:

• Seneya Martinez, a senior guard from Appalachian State, brings a wealth of experience and offensive firepower. Before her time in Division I, Martinez starred at Northeastern Junior College, where she was a Third-Team All-American, Region Player of the Year, and two-time First-Team All-Region selection. She also earned All-Tournament honors and finished second all-time in program history in career points, averaging 16.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc.
  
  Last season at Appalachian State, Martinez played in 18 games off the bench, averaging 9.4 minutes per contest while shooting 43.3 percent from the floor, 30.4 percent from three, and 63.2 percent from the line. She recorded a career-high 15 points in the Mountaineers' season opener against Miami (Ohio) and added 11 points and seven rebounds versus Columbia College. Her combination of scoring ability, efficiency, and toughness should make her an integral piece in the ThunderWolves' backcourt rotation this season.

• Ruby Sweeney-Spitzeck, a senior guard from Melbourne, Australia, adds international experience and versatility to the perimeter. She starred at Northeastern Junior College during the 2023-24 season, where she started 31 of 32 games and averaged 13.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 40.1 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from three-point range, and 79.1 percent from the line. She also totaled 66 offensive rebounds, 128 defensive rebounds, 91 assists, and 60 steals in a well-rounded campaign.
  
  Sweeney-Spitzeck then played the 2024-25 season at Idaho State, appearing in 22 games for the Bengals. She averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game, including a career-high seven points and seven rebounds at Kansas City on December 7. She shot 32.3 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from deep, providing valuable Division I experience that should translate smoothly to the RMAC level.

• Dasani Nesbit, a junior forward from Billings, Montana, returns home to begin her CSU Pueblo career after two standout seasons at Gillette College under Coach Liz Lewis. Nesbit played in 65 games with 62 starts for the Pronghorns, scoring 678 career points while averaging 11.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. A consistent double-double threat, she shot 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range, earning Region 9 All-Conference honors, Region 9 Player of the Week, and was named the Athlete of the Year at Gillette.
  
  As a sophomore in 2024-25, Nesbit appeared in 33 games and made 32 starts, averaging 11.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The previous season, she averaged 8.9 points and 8.4 rebounds, earning All-Conference Academic honors in the classroom. Her combination of strength, rebounding, and range makes her a key frontcourt piece for Coach Johnson's squad this year.

• Inside, Latai Charles (Murray State College), Laci Roffle (MSU Denver), and Anyla Owens (Otero JC) add size, length, and rebounding presence to the ThunderWolves' new-look frontcourt.

• The freshman duo of Talia Strode (Cherokee Trail) and Jamie Suazo (Pueblo West) round out a balanced roster that blends local talent, transfers, and international depth.

A Competitive Nonconference Slate

Following the Tipoff Classic, CSU Pueblo will return home to Massari Arena for the South Central Region Crossover on November 14-16, hosting nationally ranked powers UT Tyler and Lubbock Christian. The Pack will then face Western New Mexico and Northern New Mexico over Thanksgiving weekend before opening RMAC play December 4 against Westminster.

Program Tradition and Outlook

Now entering its 57th season, CSU Pueblo women's basketball has posted a 727-694 all-time record with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and six RMAC Tournament titles. Despite losing a legendary senior class, Coach Johnson's program has repeatedly shown the ability to reload and contend near the top of the RMAC standings.

As the ThunderWolves embark on the 2025-26 campaign, they'll aim to build a new identity centered around depth, balance, and energy — with newcomers like Martinez, Sweeney-Spitzeck, and Nesbit leading the charge and veterans like Sweetwine, Smith, and Meza setting the tone for the next chapter of Pack women's basketball.