The last time we saw Jan Jensen in the Hawkeyes, they were being bounced in unceremonious fashion in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
After overcoming a lackluster performance against Fairleigh Dickson in the first round, Iowa couldn't overcome its shooting woes in its second home game of the tournament, making an early exit. After the quick exit, the program lost nine players (four to graduation, five to the transfer portal) and was forced to retool before next season.
With five returning players and six newcomers, Jensen has her workout cut out for her, but the vibes are high after early summer workouts began.
McKenna Wolickzo is going to be a problem for teams next season
Highly touted 2026 recruit McKenna Woliczko is starting to get her feet wet with the Iowa program, and Jensen has been extremely impressed with what she has seen so far. Jensen told reporters that Woliczko is a quick learner and she has a humble confidence in herself. Jensen also noted that Woliczko knows she has a lot to learn, but she also knows she has multiple weapons at her disposal.
Woliczko was a highly sought-after, five-star prospect for a reason, and she is showing that early on. Jensen stated that she can do so many things, making her hard to guard because of her versatility. Wolickzo comes to work every day and has a great mentality.
Despite being homesick, Woliczko is always ready to work and will make an impact in her first season with the program.
Of the few returning players, Chit-Chat Wright has stood out the most early on
In her first season with the program last year, after transferring from Georgia Tech, Chit-Chat Wright was thrust into a leadership role she did not have with the Yellow Jackets. She had periods of uncertainty, but those moments appear to be a thing of the past. When she was asked who among the five returners has stood out the most, Jensen began by stating that she is pleased with all five, but she has been especially pleased with Wright.
She noted that Wright entered summer workouts more at ease, and she has been directing and helping other players in drills instead of watching and waiting. Jensen also said that Wright is "using her voice" more. She noted that Wright will never have a voice like Taylor Stremlow, who is very vocal at all times, but she is pleased with how she is speaking up more.
Her improved confidence has been a welcome sight, and will be key for the Hawkeyes next season.
The program added 'some really nice pieces' in the offseason
The offseason started off very tumultuously for the Hawkeyes, with multiple important roster decisions to make. The roster was at five total players after the 2025-2026 season, and Jensen and the coaching staff diligently worked to find the right pieces to plug in for next year.
The program added Woliczko and Ella Stromdahl via the 2026 recruiting class, and added Dani Carnegie (Georgia), Amari Whiting (Oklahoma State), Jocelyn Faison (Georgia), and Bria Media (Knox College from the transfer portal to round out the roster. Adding six new players to a roster is never easy, but Jensen has been pleased so far.
Jensen noted that the scrimmages have been extremely competitive, which has resonated well with the players. She is leaning heavily on the returners to set the groundwork, but the newcomers have responded well. It remains to be seen how the squad will mesh when the games start counting, but all signs have been good through the early stages of the summer.
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