Michigan women's basketball has made it to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament seven straight years, but the Wolverines have yet to capture a Big Ten title or make it to the Final Four. This past season, the Wolverines had their third best record in program history and made it to the tournament as a 6-seed and a lot fo it was thanks to a certain freshman trio.
Even coming in as young players, Syla Swords, Olivia Olson, and Mila Holloway took over for the Wolverines and led them to a 23-11 record, and it seems the trio is not done yet. After their end-of-the-year banquet, the trio announced they would be returning together to Michigan next season, making it seem like it was a pretty obvious decision.
"Of course we're back," the trio said in their announcement video on social media.
Huge news: Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway are all officially BACK with @umichwbball in 2025-26 pic.twitter.com/sUxshH4cIG
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) April 21, 2025
Michigan freshman trio returns with unfinished business in the Maize and Blue
This freshman trio was one of the best in women's college basketball last season as they made up the majority of Michigan's offense. These three players were three of the top four leading scorers for the Wolverines and led every major category for Michigan, other than steals.
Olson was named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year for women's basketball, averaging 16.3 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Swords, who just won Michigan's Newcomer of the Year Award last night, averaged 16.0 points per game, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Holloway followed up the trio wth fewer points per game with 9.8, but set up her fellow freshmen as the lead point guard with 4.4 assists and even amounted to 3.1 rebounds.
This trio is going to be the future of Michigan women's basketball should they choose to stick around for their entire college careers. Bringing in more players such as these three can make the Wolverines a household name in women's basketball and a formidable opponent to all.
The Wolverines were able to get past Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, but ultimately fell to Notre Dame in the second round. The Wolverines, now having a whole season under their belts, can only go up from here with these three leading the way.
Not only does Michigan have these three returning and other great players in the program, but head coach Kim Barnes Arico has signed some great players from high school, who will be joining next season. The Wolverines will be joined by Ciara Cyars, McKenzie Mathurin, and Jessica Fields in the 2025-2026 season, all three in the top-100 recruiting according to ESPN.