Colorado State University Athletics
Rams to Take On No. 5 Michigan State
3/15/2026 8:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Colorado State finds its moment during Selection Sunday
Championship teams are rarely defined by smooth seasons.
More often, they are forged through uncertainty — injuries, lineup changes and moments which test belief. Colorado State has faced all of it this year, yet the Rams kept moving forward, guided by a simple postseason truth: survive and advance.
A mindset which now leads them to Friday's NCAA Tournament matchup against No. 5 Michigan State in Norman, Okla. The Rams learned they earned a No. 12 seed while gathered around their Mountain West tournament trophy on the fourth floor of Canvas Stadium, a moment which turned anticipation into eruption.
Green filled the room, and cheers followed as the Rams discovered where their postseason journey would begin.
"I think that was super just overwhelming to know that they see our grit and determination, and they see how hard we work," guard Kloe Froebe said. "Just to gain that 12 seed was really promising for us."
Froebe embodies much of the grit Colorado State has relied on this season. One half of the Illinois scoring duo alongside Brooke Carlson, Froebe and Carlson have each surpassed 500 career points, signaling a foundation for the program's future.
But while the future is taking shape, the present belongs to experience as much as it does newcomers. Because alongside that emerging core are three seniors who have spent their entire collegiate careers in green and gold.
"Marta Leimane, Hannah Ronsiek and Jadyn Fife," coach Ryun Williams said. "It's rare to have players here for a long time—that's the nature of college basketball right now. Being a Stalwart Ram is all about being loyal, and those three have been the most loyal. They're the most deserving of this tournament."
Williams is returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016, when Colorado State earned an 11 seed against South Florida — the same season the Rams last won the conference. Now, a decade later, he does so with a veteran group ready to close their careers on college basketball's biggest stage.
For the seniors, the moment carries both gratitude and reflection.
"Obviously getting this done as a senior has been huge and just such a blessing," Ronsiek said. "I maybe wanted one more just because I think we've had really great teams here, but I'm just really grateful we got it done my senior year."
The whirlwind of the past week has only added to the surreal feeling.
Winning a conference tournament on Wednesday, returning to practice twice, sitting through the selection show, and finally hearing their name called has blurred together.
"It's almost felt like a fever dream," Froebe said. "It hasn't felt real. Ever since we were little girls, this is what you work for. To accomplish it with this group and this coaching staff. It's just been so exciting, and I'm trying to take it all in."
Still, Williams sees something deeper than excitement in this group.
"Every one of our championship teams has been special," Williams said. "But this group, they fight. Holy cow, do they fight. Every night it's somebody different, and that's what it takes to be a champion. They're competitive. They might look like really nice girls, but there's a feistiness about them that wins games."
But Ram fans know, the edge didn't appear overnight.
For this group, the season has been marked by adapting to setbacks. Whether they come in the first half and require retribution by the third quarter, or in the quiet of a rehab gym — it all remains connected to the final goal of postseason play.
For Ronsiek, those tests have not only defined this season, but her whole career in Fort Collins.
"I think we've definitely had a little bit of growing pains this season and my whole career, to be honest, but I think it's all for a reason," Ronsiek said. "And if it led up to this point, then obviously I think it's all meant to be."
Those growing pains now feel purposeful, forming a team prepared for the demands of March and all the dancing which comes along with it.
More often, they are forged through uncertainty — injuries, lineup changes and moments which test belief. Colorado State has faced all of it this year, yet the Rams kept moving forward, guided by a simple postseason truth: survive and advance.
A mindset which now leads them to Friday's NCAA Tournament matchup against No. 5 Michigan State in Norman, Okla. The Rams learned they earned a No. 12 seed while gathered around their Mountain West tournament trophy on the fourth floor of Canvas Stadium, a moment which turned anticipation into eruption.
Green filled the room, and cheers followed as the Rams discovered where their postseason journey would begin.
"I think that was super just overwhelming to know that they see our grit and determination, and they see how hard we work," guard Kloe Froebe said. "Just to gain that 12 seed was really promising for us."
Froebe embodies much of the grit Colorado State has relied on this season. One half of the Illinois scoring duo alongside Brooke Carlson, Froebe and Carlson have each surpassed 500 career points, signaling a foundation for the program's future.
But while the future is taking shape, the present belongs to experience as much as it does newcomers. Because alongside that emerging core are three seniors who have spent their entire collegiate careers in green and gold.
"Marta Leimane, Hannah Ronsiek and Jadyn Fife," coach Ryun Williams said. "It's rare to have players here for a long time—that's the nature of college basketball right now. Being a Stalwart Ram is all about being loyal, and those three have been the most loyal. They're the most deserving of this tournament."
Williams is returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016, when Colorado State earned an 11 seed against South Florida — the same season the Rams last won the conference. Now, a decade later, he does so with a veteran group ready to close their careers on college basketball's biggest stage.
For the seniors, the moment carries both gratitude and reflection.
"Obviously getting this done as a senior has been huge and just such a blessing," Ronsiek said. "I maybe wanted one more just because I think we've had really great teams here, but I'm just really grateful we got it done my senior year."
The whirlwind of the past week has only added to the surreal feeling.
Winning a conference tournament on Wednesday, returning to practice twice, sitting through the selection show, and finally hearing their name called has blurred together.
"It's almost felt like a fever dream," Froebe said. "It hasn't felt real. Ever since we were little girls, this is what you work for. To accomplish it with this group and this coaching staff. It's just been so exciting, and I'm trying to take it all in."
Still, Williams sees something deeper than excitement in this group.
"Every one of our championship teams has been special," Williams said. "But this group, they fight. Holy cow, do they fight. Every night it's somebody different, and that's what it takes to be a champion. They're competitive. They might look like really nice girls, but there's a feistiness about them that wins games."
But Ram fans know, the edge didn't appear overnight.
For this group, the season has been marked by adapting to setbacks. Whether they come in the first half and require retribution by the third quarter, or in the quiet of a rehab gym — it all remains connected to the final goal of postseason play.
For Ronsiek, those tests have not only defined this season, but her whole career in Fort Collins.
"I think we've definitely had a little bit of growing pains this season and my whole career, to be honest, but I think it's all for a reason," Ronsiek said. "And if it led up to this point, then obviously I think it's all meant to be."
Those growing pains now feel purposeful, forming a team prepared for the demands of March and all the dancing which comes along with it.
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