TEMPE- At long last. For the first time since 2019, the Arizona State women's basketball team is heading to the NCAA Women's Tournament.
In Molly Miller's first season with the program, she has helped turn around from a 10-win season in 2024-25 to a 24-win season in 2025-26.
"I'm very excited," Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said. "A lot of people put in a lot of work this season. Starts with Coach Molly Miller, what a breath of fresh energy she's been bringing into ASU. Building an incredible staff, building a roster of very excited, talented, experienced young women that just competed every single day, and they got better every single day. Today was a great payoff for the hard work that they put in."
The Sun Devils began the season with a 15-game winning streak and went undefeated in the nonconference schedule. Since the Big 12 Conference play began, Arizona State went 9-9, and some of the crucial wins included over Utah and Oklahoma State.
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019 YOUR SUN DEVILS ARE DANCING!!! 💃💃💃 pic.twitter.com/92XogqSTMw
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) March 16, 2026
Once the team found out they were one of the last teams to make it to the NCAA Women's Tournament, they celebrated with happiness and joy while accomplishing something big in Miller's first year.
"It feels good, but this moment belongs to our players, and they've poured their hearts into this season, and I couldn't be prouder of them, and I'm excited for the university," Miller said. "I'm excited for the program. I'm very grateful that President Crow and Graham trusted and believed in me. The way they believed in me is the way I believe in this team, and I'm thrilled for them. These players deserve this. They've earned it, and I couldn't be prouder."
From Marley Washenitz's 'Hail Marley' game-winner in November to grabbing two conference wins in the Big 12 Women's Tournament, Arizona State has been a special team to watch throughout the whole season.
"It means the world to me," Washenitz said. "I'm super grateful to be a part of this team and to be coached by this staff. I mean, to bring back the history of women's basketball here at ASU was really awesome. That was a goal that I obviously had coming here, and that was what I wanted. I wanted to lead this program better than I found it and so far I've done that, so just super proud of this group."
In the first round, the Sun Devils will face the Virginia Cavaliers in Iowa City in the Sacramento Region. The winner of this matchup will face No. 7 Georgia Lady Bulldogs.
" I can't take my mind off of Virginia Scout right now," Miller said.
As the Sun Devils accomplish another goal, they have more basketball games to be played and, for now, are dancing their way to the big stage.