NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Carroll women's basketball was prominently represented in the 2025-26 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) postseason awards, highlighted by Natalie Gricius being named CCIW Player of the Year and earning unanimous First Team All-CCIW honors, Emilie Wizner receiving First Team All-CCIW honors, Julia Lokker making the Second Team All-CCIW, and the coaching staff being named Beth Baker CCIW Co-Coaching Staffs of the Year as announced by the CCIW office on Monday.
Gricius, a senior from Oconomowoc, WI, delivered the most dominant individual season in the conference, leading Carroll and the CCIW by averaging 22.2 points per game while starting all 25 contests. She shot an efficient 57.3 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from three-point range, and 77.4 percent from the free-throw line, while averaging 6.2 rebounds per game. Gricius finished the season with 555 total points, scoring in double figures in every game and eclipsing the 30-point mark multiple times, including a season-high 39-point performance. Her consistent scoring and efficiency anchored a Carroll offense that finished the year with a +11.5 scoring margin. She also surpassed 1500 points and 500 rebounds this year, making her only the third women's basketball player to accomplish this in Carroll history.
Wizner, a senior from Germantown, WI, earned First Team All-CCIW recognition after starting all 25 games and serving as one of the Pioneers' primary perimeter threats. Wizner averaged 15.8 points per game while logging a team-high 33.5 minutes per contest. She led Carroll in three-point shooting, knocking down 69 triples at a 39.9 percent clip, and added 2.6 assists per game. Wizner scored in double figures in 21 games and recorded multiple 25-plus-point outings during conference play. She also broke multiple 3-point records this season by becoming the all-time leader in career makes as well as single season makes.
Julia Lokker, a junior from Greendale, WI, was named to the All-CCIW Second Team following a strong all-around season as the Pioneers' sixth-player and spark off the bench. Lokker averaged 13.5 points per game while shooting 45.0 percent from the field and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line. She also contributed 3.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, providing consistent scoring and playmaking for the Pioneers. Lokker reached double figures in scoring in 19 games, including several 20-plus-point performances during conference play.
In addition to the individual honors, Carroll's coaching staff was named CCIW Coaching Staff of the Year, sharing the award with Illinois Wesleyan. The staff is led by Head Coach Lindsay Schultz, along with assistant coaches Katie Evans and Dave Borowicz. Under their leadership, the Pioneers finished the regular season 21-4 overall and 15-1 in CCIW play, capturing the program's continued rise within the conference, while becoming the hosts of the CCIW tournament.
After an extremely successful regular season campaign, the Pioneers now turn their attention to the CCIW semifinals on Friday, as they will host the lowest remaining seed after Tuesday's quarterfinals matchups. The game on Friday will be in Van Male Fieldhouse with tip at approximately 7:30pm.
