NDSU Women's Basketball Star Avery Koenen Returning for Senior Season

Reigning Summit League Player of the Year to lead experienced Bison squad in 2026-27

Apr. 9, 2026 at 6:34pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a women's basketball game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives.The Bison's veteran roster, led by reigning Summit League Player of the Year Avery Koenen, has NDSU poised for a championship run.Fargo Today

Avery Koenen, the 2025-26 Summit League Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, has announced she will return to the North Dakota State women's basketball team for her senior season. Koenen and four other starters are set to come back as the Bison look to build on their regular season conference title and WBIT tournament appearance from last year.

Why it matters

Koenen's decision to stay at NDSU keeps the team's core intact and gives them a strong chance to repeat as Summit League champions and make a deeper postseason run. The Bison are poised to be one of the top mid-major programs in the country with their experienced roster.

The details

Koenen, an All-Summit League First Team and All-Defensive Team selection, led the Bison in points (19.4 per game), rebounds (10.8), blocks (1.2), and field goal percentage (64%) last season. Four other starters - Marisa Frost, Jocelyn Schiller, Abby Krzewinski, and Karrington Asp - are also returning, giving NDSU a veteran-laden lineup. The team lost just four players from last year's 29-5 squad that reached the second round of the Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament.

  • Koenen announced her return for the 2026-27 season on April 8, 2026.
  • The Bison finished the 2025-26 season as runners-up in the Summit League Tournament and made the second round of the Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament.

The players

Avery Koenen

The 2025-26 Summit League Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, who led the Bison in points, rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage last season.

Marisa Frost

A Summit League Second Team selection who averaged 12.7 points, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game last season.

Jocelyn Schiller

A Summit League Second Team honoree who started all 32 games, averaging 10.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest.

Abby Krzewinski

A starter in all 34 games, she averaged 8.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field.

Karrington Asp

The Summit League Sixth Woman of the Year and All-Freshman Team selection, who averaged 10.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

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What they’re saying

“God's been good & His will is better. So much love this team and this community. No place we'd rather be #onemore #rollherd”

— Avery Koenen

What’s next

The Bison will look to build on their successful 2025-26 campaign and make a deep run in the 2026-27 Summit League Tournament and postseason.

The takeaway

With Avery Koenen and four other starters returning, North Dakota State is poised to be one of the top mid-major women's basketball programs in the country next season. The experienced Bison squad will be a force to be reckoned with in the Summit League.