DICKINSON, N.D. – As the Dickinson State women's basketball team enters a new era in the expanded Frontier Conference, seventh-year head coach
Eric Nelson and the Blue Hawks are focused on development, depth, and climbing the league ladder.
Coming off an 8–19 campaign in 2024–25, DSU was picked 10th in the 12-team Frontier Conference preseason coaches' poll. Dakota State earned 11 first-place votes to top the poll, followed by Carroll and Rocky Mountain in a tie for second. With only the top eight teams qualifying for the postseason tournament, the Blue Hawks will aim to exceed their projected finish and earn a spot in the postseason.
Dickinson State returns a seasoned core, headlined by senior guard
Anhelica Shanrock, junior forward
J'ell Garfield, and senior center
Brae Eneboe, who brings height and leadership to the paint. Junior point guard
Jada Clarkson, a transfer from Spokane Community College, steps in to guide the offense.
"We are excited to get the season started on Friday," Nelson said. "We lost four starters from last year's team, so these first couple games will be important for us to figure out rotations and lineups. Our team has been working hard in practice, so now it's time to go play some other teams and see where we stack up!"
The Blue Hawks open the season on the road October 24–25 with back-to-back matchups against Lewis-Clark State in Lewiston, Idaho, before continuing non-conference play with games against Midland and Tabor. Exhibition contests with Jamestown and the University of Mary offer additional preparation before Frontier Conference action begins at home November 21 against Carroll.
DSU will host 11 games at Scott Gymnasium, giving fans plenty of opportunities to support the team. The regular season wraps up February 21, with the Frontier Conference Tournament scheduled for February 27–March 2.
The Frontier Conference will award two automatic bids to the 2026 NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament, one to the regular-season champion and one to the postseason tournament winner.
Key Dates
- Oct. 24–25 – Season openers at Lewis-Clark State (Lewiston, Idaho)
- Nov. 21 – Frontier Conference opener vs. Carroll (Home)
- Jan. 10 – Home matchup vs. preseason No. 1 Dakota State
- Feb. 13–14 – Final home weekend vs. Valley City State and Mayville State
- Feb. 27–Mar. 2 – Frontier Conference Tournament
Players to Watch
