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ACC Tipoff Previews 2025-26 Season
10/7/2025 3:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTE – The annual ACC Women's Basketball Tipoff was held Monday at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown, previewing the upcoming 2025-26 season for Duke women's basketball.
Sixth-year head coach Kara Lawson was joined in the Queen City by sophomore Toby Fournier and junior Delaney Thomas, where they spoke to the media about the team's veteran core and its expectations and goals for the year.
"I think we're still kind of finding ourselves," Lawson said. "It's obviously early in the season, but it's been nice to have a good core of returning players who understand how we want to play on both ends. I thought they had a great summer – these two [Fournier and Thomas] in particular – but also the rest of the team. They've had a great fall, so now it's just building. I think any time you can have the continuity we've enjoyed the last couple of years, it helps going into the season, because you have familiarity with one another."
In addition to their media availability, Fournier and Thomas took part in photo shoots, radio appearances and network video segments. The preseason All-ACC teams and predicted order of finish, as selected by the media, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Thomas spoke on what makes Duke successful and also praised the leadership of senior guards Ashlon Jackson and Taina Mair.
"I think the standard our team plays at and what coach Kara [Lawson] expects of us in holding each other accountable as a team [makes us successful]," Thomas said. "We're very close, and that's going to be important for us down the stretch. Ash [Ashlon Jackson] and T [Taina Mair] do a great job of leading the team. They really set the bar for us, especially this offseason. They know what it's like, they know where we've been, and they know what it takes to get there."
Fournier, the 2025 ACC Rookie of the Year, is looking to build on a strong rookie campaign – both individually and as a team. When asked about managing expectations this season, she emphasized the importance of staying locked in.
"I would say just being focused and locked in," Fournier said. "Taking it day by day and not immediately looking ahead to what happens in March Madness. There are so many steps we need to take before that. So, I think day to day, just coming into practice focused and knowing we have goals, but also understanding that there's a lot we need to do to reach those goals. Then, also focusing on our team chemistry. Right now, our goal is just to focus on the day to day while also understanding we have a very difficult schedule coming up."
Duke opens the season Nov. 3 in Paris, squaring off against Baylor in the Oui-Play Paris event. The game is set for a noon tipoff and air live on ESPN.
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the YouTube channel by searching "DukeWBB."
#GoDuke
Sixth-year head coach Kara Lawson was joined in the Queen City by sophomore Toby Fournier and junior Delaney Thomas, where they spoke to the media about the team's veteran core and its expectations and goals for the year.
"I think we're still kind of finding ourselves," Lawson said. "It's obviously early in the season, but it's been nice to have a good core of returning players who understand how we want to play on both ends. I thought they had a great summer – these two [Fournier and Thomas] in particular – but also the rest of the team. They've had a great fall, so now it's just building. I think any time you can have the continuity we've enjoyed the last couple of years, it helps going into the season, because you have familiarity with one another."
In addition to their media availability, Fournier and Thomas took part in photo shoots, radio appearances and network video segments. The preseason All-ACC teams and predicted order of finish, as selected by the media, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Thomas spoke on what makes Duke successful and also praised the leadership of senior guards Ashlon Jackson and Taina Mair.
"I think the standard our team plays at and what coach Kara [Lawson] expects of us in holding each other accountable as a team [makes us successful]," Thomas said. "We're very close, and that's going to be important for us down the stretch. Ash [Ashlon Jackson] and T [Taina Mair] do a great job of leading the team. They really set the bar for us, especially this offseason. They know what it's like, they know where we've been, and they know what it takes to get there."
Fournier, the 2025 ACC Rookie of the Year, is looking to build on a strong rookie campaign – both individually and as a team. When asked about managing expectations this season, she emphasized the importance of staying locked in.
"I would say just being focused and locked in," Fournier said. "Taking it day by day and not immediately looking ahead to what happens in March Madness. There are so many steps we need to take before that. So, I think day to day, just coming into practice focused and knowing we have goals, but also understanding that there's a lot we need to do to reach those goals. Then, also focusing on our team chemistry. Right now, our goal is just to focus on the day to day while also understanding we have a very difficult schedule coming up."
Duke opens the season Nov. 3 in Paris, squaring off against Baylor in the Oui-Play Paris event. The game is set for a noon tipoff and air live on ESPN.
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the YouTube channel by searching "DukeWBB."
#GoDuke
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