The San Diego Mesa College women’s basketball season came to a close after a 51–48 loss to Santa Ana College in the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs.

The Olympians had a solid season under first-year head coach Careth Herron. Looking back, Herron acknowledged the challenges but also points out the growth of the team. 

“I started the season with no returning starters from the previous year, so we had a larger learning curve with a younger group of athletes,” Herron said. “I was happy to end the season checking off a few boxes, such as making the playoffs and finishing with a winning 15–14 record. We still have a lot to work toward, so I’m excited to keep building.”

Another positive mentioned by the coaching staff was the team’s support for one another. They remained committed to carrying out what the coaching staff asked of them throughout the season. All their hard work paid off, and was rewarded by a playoff appearance.

“The outcome against Santa Ana College was disappointing given the opportunities the team had during the game,” says Herron. “We struggled to make shots and couldn’t turn the corner in the fourth quarter. Despite the outcome, we fought hard, and most important, we fought as a team.”

Early on, Herron focused on establishing fairness with every member of the team. She said that patience and trusting the process were areas the group could have leaned into more during the season.  

Mesa will also need to replace key contributors who will be moving on from the program. The team will graduate five sophomores: Stevie Lundquist, Rylie Willis, Des White, Clare Patrick, and Mia Burnett. Each played an important role both on and off the court and will be difficult to replace. Coach Herron adds that several recruits have already visited campus and are eager to help lead the next chapter of Mesa women’s basketball.

Overall, the 2025–2026 season was a positive step forward for the program and laid the foundation for next season. With the momentum, and the right staff in place, the program looks to continue the success it has had over the past seven seasons.