Second-year UAA women’s basketball coach Matt Thune is looking to build on last season’s 16-11 season. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Matt Thune got his feet wet in his first season as UAA women’s basketball coach. He’s jumping into the deep end in Year 2.
Thune was instrumental in landing bona fide blue blood Louisville for the Great Alaska Shootout in November, when he’ll face off against his former boss Jeff Walz when the tournament tips off Nov. 21 at the Alaska Airlines Center.
The first round of the two-day tournament has Seattle playing Chicago State, followed by the Seawolves taking on a Louisville team that went 29-8 last season and finished 11th in the country.
“Exactly the type of challenge we embrace,” Thune said in a statement.
Thune was an assistant on Louisville’s 2013 NCAA runner-up club. That was one of five Division I stops he made as an assistant coach before beginning his head coaching career in Anchorage.
He came on board in May 2025, inheriting a roster with just one returning player and leading the Seawolves to a 16-11 mark.
He’s revamped the offense, plucking eight players out of the portal and signing two freshmen, including all-state guard Savannah Kroon of Wasilla. Other local newcomers include Colorado Mesa transfer Evan Hamey of Anchorage and Eastern Washington transfer Bella Hays of Wasilla.
Rising sophomore Mylee Anderson of Wasilla is one of four returners back for the Seawolves. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Back from the GNAC’s No. 1 scoring team (75.8 ppg) are Lillee Duffin of Idaho Falls (ID), Kiara Stone of Tacoma (WA), Mylee Anderson of Wasilla and Jennifer Nash of Point Hope.
In addition to hosting to the Shootout, the Seawolves will also compete in Hoops In Hawaii Tip-Off Classic in Honolulu.
“We’re excited to officially announce our schedule and begin preparing for what we believe can be a special season,” Thune said. “Every game presents an opportunity to grow and having a matchup versus a nationally respected program like Louisville.”
The Seawolves will open the season Oct. 30 in Hawaii against Colorado Mesa, which advanced to the Division II national semifinals last year and features an Alaska connection. The team is coached by former UAA guard Taylor Wagner and includes rising sophomore Hallie Clark, of Wasilla, who was the 2025 Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year.
UAA’s first home series will be Nov. 6-7 against College of Idaho before a return trip to the Islands to face Chaminade, Hawaii Pacific and Hawaii Hilo. Following the Shootout, UAA closes the non-conference season against Benedictine Mesa, Embry-Riddle (AZ) and against Missouri S&T.
The nine-game GNAC home schedule kicks off Jan. 2 against UAF at the Alaska Airlines Center.
