An impressive combination
Top-25 Wildcat women on the court add classroom to ranking
Northern Michigan University’s Addison Pytleski, left, looks ahead before driving the baseline as she is defended by Michigan Tech’s Ella Mason during their GLIAC women’s basketball game played at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Feb. 19. Mason is a Negaunee High School graduate. (Photo courtesy of Cara Kamps)
Northern Michigan University’s Sydney Whitehouse, center, reacts to sinking a 2-point shot just before the end of the third quarter during a GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal women’s basketball game played against Michigan Tech at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)
Northern Michigan University’s Addison Pytleski, left, looks ahead before driving the baseline as she is defended by Michigan Tech’s Ella Mason during their GLIAC women’s basketball game played at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Feb. 19. Mason is a Negaunee High School graduate. (Photo courtesy of Cara Kamps)
Northern Michigan University’s Sydney Whitehouse, center, reacts to sinking a 2-point shot just before the end of the third quarter during a GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal women’s basketball game played against Michigan Tech at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)
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MARQUETTE -- Last season's women's basketball team at Northern Michigan University combined the best of athletic and academic talent.
Not only were these Wildcats ranked in the top 25 in NCAA Division II based upon their on-court performances, but now a coaches' group is showing they're in that same lofty neighborhood when it comes to the classroom.
NMU finished with records of 25-8 overall and 15-5 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference while making its third straight national tournament appearance.
Now Northern has tied for 17th place among Division II programs with a 3.752 cumulative grade-point average to earn a spot on the Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
Under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Casey Thousand, the Wildcats reached the WBCA Academic Top 25 after being nominated by a member coach.
A full dozen NMU players made the GLIAC All-Academic and Academic Excellence teams, while four of them earned Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Communicators organization -- senior Alyssa Hill and Sarah Newcomer and sophomores Sydney Whitehouse and Addison Pytleski.
Hill is a Negaunee High School graduate.
This year's Northern team, which will include Whitehouse and Pytleski as juniors, opens its season at the Midwest Tip-Off Challenge in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, for three consecutive afternoons staring on Friday, Oct. 30.
The Wildcats won't get to enjoy their home Vandament Arena court until after the new year, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, against heated Upper Peninsula rival Michigan Tech. By that time, they'll have played 14 games, including four in the GLIAC, but NMU will make up for it with 10 of the final 16 in Marquette.
Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the honor. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee's email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.