The Hoosiers kicked off their season with a statement defeating Division II opponent Maryville 95-27 in an exhibition match.
While previous key players Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scaila are now missing from the roster, the Hoosiers introduced fresh faces and showcased a revamped lineup to prove that this team still has the depth and determination they did last season.
New offensive powerhouses
Sophomore Lilly Meister proved she’s ready to take on a leading role in the post, filling the void left by Mackenzie Holmes. Meister was nearly flawless from the field, scoring 19 points on 9-for-11 shooting and pulling down four rebounds in just 17 minutes of action.
“I think there's the question mark of who's gonna replace our five from a year ago with Holmes, but I don't want [Meister] to feel like she has to be anybody but herself,” head coach Teri Moren said. “She deserves this moment to have a night where she can shine and show you what she can do.”
Meister’s dominance in the paint was complemented by Yarden Garzon, who led all scorers with 20 points. Garzon showed her versatility, shooting 50% from beyond the arc and adding six rebounds to the stat sheet.
New guard Shay Ciezski also put up a notable performance, scoring 14 points, dishing out five assists and showing her defensive tenacity with two steals.
Team captain Sydney Parrish rounded out the main contributors with 12 points and a double-double. Parrish grabbed an impressive 13 rebounds before exiting the game with an ankle injury midway through the third quarter (more on that later).
“I love these kids, you know, because we're in a different kind of day with athletics, where if you don’t get the playing time you want, you go elsewhere,” Moren said. “These kids just keep working…and it’s great to see it pay off tonight.”
Stifling defense and dominant rebounding
Defensively, Indiana shut down Maryville, holding them just to 13.4% shooting from the feld and an ice-cold 8.3% from the 3-point range. The Hoosiers were relentless on the boards, rebounding Maryville 60-34, with Parrish and Ciezski combining for 18 rebounds alone.
Moren praised her team's defensive focus, noting that they surpassed their goal of “kills” (three stops in a row) with 12 in the game.
“Those are the moments where you're really, really proud of these kids,” Moren said. “This team has put in the reps, and it showed tonight.”
Maryville’s offense struggled to find any rhythm, having no players scoring in the double-digits. Lindsey Schadewalt led the team with just six points, while the rest of the Saints combined as a team for a 9-for-67 shooting performance.
Injury and depth insights
Parrish’s ankle injury required her to exit the game early, but Moren later reported that the injury was primarily precautionary and did not appear serious.
The game also served as an opportunity for Indiana to test its depth, subbing in freshman Faith Wiseman and Valentyna Kadecova, who made their debuts on the floor to add some new energy and hustle on the floor as Indiana extended its lead.
Alongside adding new faces, it also was a display of some of the mistakes Moren wants to fix before the regular season. Moren said she noticed some moments in the game where IU’s offense was “a little too greedy” causing turnovers and rushed shot attempts.
“At times, I think we were trying to play a little too cute, and that’s just not who we are,” Moren said. “We’re a disciplined team that wants to play clean and pretty, moving the ball and working together.”
Moren said there will be a renewed emphasis on taking smart shots and working cohesively throughout the game.
Looking forward to the regular season
Indiana’s early show of discipline and determination reflects a team that’s still finding its identity but remains committed to the fundamentals. With a revamped roster and fresh talent stepping into larger roles, Moren sees every game as a vital opportunity to build this team’s cohesion and competitive edge.
“These games are more than exhibitions to us. They’re steps to becoming the disciplined, hard-working team we aim to be this season,” Moren said.
The Hoosiers now will have their first regular-season test against Brown University on Monday at home, tipping off at 7 p.m.
