TORONTO—History has a way of repeating itself for the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's basketball team — but this year, they're determined to change that narrative.

For three straight seasons, the Bold have reached the OUA semi-finals and fallen short. Last year, they battled in a hard-fought defeat against the No. 1 nationally-ranked Carleton University Ravens.

This season, TMU enters the 2025-26 campaign with a strong core of returning players as well as various new faces that will add to the team's quality and grit. 

One of the team's most notable off season developments was the addition of two-time Canada West All-Star Myriam Kone. Transferring from the University of Calgary, Kone brings with her U SPORTS National Championship experience. She has competed in two Final 8 Tournaments with Calgary, experience she believes will enhance the Bold's abilities.

"[At Nationals] that first game decides you know everything, you lose and you're done…it's just realizing that this moment like every moment is just really important and every play is just as important," said Kone on what she's learned from her nationals experiences. 

Kone shared that her transition into the team has been seamless, highlighting the strong connection she's built with Head Coach Carly Clarke. Her veteran experience has allowed her to develop a deep understanding with Coach Clarke. 

"I'm an extension of [Carly] out there on the court," said Kone. "I feel like we really connect well and are always kind of on the same page."

Also providing veteran leadership is returning fourth-year guard Kait Nichols, a vital playmaker and offensive generator for the Bold. 

"We have a big rookie group coming in and a transfer," said Nichols. "I'm just making sure they feel peace and know they can come to me regardless if it's on the court and off the court."

As a team member who has been a part of all three of the OUA semi-final heartbreaks, she's ready to take the next step this year.

"Every year I've been here, we have fallen short in the semifinals. So it's our goal this year, nationals and to win the OUA," said Nichols.

Both third-year stars Catrina Garvey and Hailey Franco DeRyck agree and are hungry to make it farther this year. 

" I think between me, Kate Nichols, and Haley Franco DeRyck, who've been in that situation, those couple of times, we carry that chip on our shoulder a lot. And you can tell like in practices, we carry that loss with us still to this day, even from back when I was in first year, because it means a lot to us and we don't want to fall short again," said Garvey

The guard and forward serve as key elements to this Bold roster, both with accolades of their own. 

Earning U SPORTS, OUA and TMSU Rookie of the Year in her 2023-24 season, Garvey is continuously making waves in the OUA. Despite nursing an injury last season she averaged 11.8 points per game.

Franco DeRyck was a defensive force for the Bold last season. Earning the most single-season rebounds in program history and the third-most rebounds per game in the OUA, she is looking to continue building on her on-court abilities.

"In the summer I think I worked on growing my strength," said Franco DeRyck. "I think that hopefully will play a bigger role this year because a lot of my opponents are stronger and bigger than me and I think that's where I lose a lot of my boards."

Other key returning faces, including fourth-year forwards Zoe Idahosa and Jessica Keripe and third-year guard Alex Pino, are expected to play significant roles and contribute valuable minutes this season.

The Bold have also added some NCAA experience to their lineup with fifth-year forward Eternati Willock, who joins the team after transferring from York University following a year at Kansas State.

With these roster developments and a strong core of returning talents, TMU is shaping up to be a serious contender in the OUA this season. 

Garvey has lots of hope in this new roster, "This team is probably one of the best teams like connection wise…It's a very fun and energetic group and we just all get along so well with each other. It's meshing beautifully and you can tell on the court."

The Bold will kick off their 2025-26 regular season on the road against the McMaster Mauraders on Friday, Oct. 23. 

Nichols is ready to kick the season off and put the Bold's preseason work on display. 

"McMaster's a great team, great program so it's definitely going to be a battle but we love to lean into the away environments,"  said Nichols. "It's just another game for us you know so it'll be exciting and just to continue to show what we've kind of grown and continue to work on over the preseason."

Game time at Burridge Gymnasium is set for 6 p.m. Watch the action on OUA.tv.