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California Baptist duo set for NCAA Tournament experience they missed two years ago

March 20, 2026

RIVERSIDE — Filipa Barros and Grace Schmidt are ready for the full March Madness experience.

California Baptist Lancers forward Grace Schmidt (33) celebrates the teamâs...

California Baptist Lancers forward Grace Schmidt (33) celebrates the team’s Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball league champion with a piece of the net in Riverside on Saturday, March 7, 2026. California Baptist University defeated Southern Utah 77-61 to win the Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball regular-season finale. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Two years ago, Barros and Schmidt suffered injuries and were spectators when the California Baptist University women’s basketball team squared off against UCLA in the program’s first NCAA Division I Tournament game.

Barros and Schmidt worked their way back from those respective injuries and helped the Lancers qualify for the Division I Tournament for the second time in three seasons. And as a fate would have it, California Baptist once again will run up against the mighty Bruins of UCLA in a first-round game Saturday at 7 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion.

“I’m really excited for everyone, but especially those two in particular,” Lancers coach Jarrod Olson said about Barros and Schmidt getting to play in the NCAA Tournament this season. “That really was a big motivator for me as a coach. They are such great players who have overcome some adversity. They really deserve this opportunity.”

Barros and Schmidt were part of the Lancers’ recruiting class that arrived in Riverside for the 2022-23 season.

Olson already was well-acquainted with Schmidt, a Wisconsin native, because he coached her sister Emily for four seasons at CBU. Barros came from Portugal thanks to Olson’s longstanding friendship with Danny Prince, the founder and CEO of Passion Sports Group, which helps foreign athletes connect with American colleges.

The duo made immediate impacts as freshmen. Schmidt was an instant starter and averaged 13.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Barros was a valuable reserve who chipped in 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

Expectations were high the following season, but Schmidt’s sophomore campaign ended after 10 games when she elected to have surgery to repair a patellar tendon injury. Barros was having a breakout year as the team’s new starting point guard, but she suffered a knee injury during the Lancers’ final game of the regular season.

That meant neither player would be able to suit up for the historic NCAA Tournament game against UCLA.

It would not be the last time Barros or Schmidt were felled by injury. Barros only played two games last season and took a medical redshirt after suffering an ankle injury, while Schmidt missed the first 10 games this season.

Barros spent the offseason in Portugal rehabbing and training with her father, Pedro, and her brother Miguel.

“Last year was very difficult for me, and so I just worked my hardest to get back here for my team,” Barros said.

Schmidt said faith has helped her get through some of the more challenging moments in college.

“That is my foundation and rock and something that I will also fall back on when times are hard,” Schmidt said. “My coaching staff and my family back in Wisconsin have been so supportive, and I have great friends here.”

Barros, a 5-foot-9 redshirt junior, is a triple-double candidate each time she steps on the court. She is averaging 11.2 points, 10 rebounds (24th in the nation), and 4.8 assists per game this season. Despite being a point guard, Barros has 330 rebounds this season, which is the program’s Division I-era record for a single season.

“She’s just a baller who comes to work every day and sets a great example for the whole program,” Olson said. “She is tough and competes hard and plays to win. … She has a nose for the ball and always seems to find it.”

Schmidt, a 6-foot senior forward, has averaged 10 points and 5.2 rebounds per game since returning to action.

“I’m extremely impressed with Grace’s resilience,” Olson said. “I’ve seen her grow up, from a teenage kid to the woman she is now. She is ready to go out into the world and do some exciting things, and I can’t wait to see it.”

Barros was particularly excited about the Lancers getting the chance to play UCLA again.

“I told my parents I really wanted to play UCLA because I didn’t have that chance two years ago,” Barros said.

Second chances are never guaranteed, so Schmidt is delighted for her opportunity to play in March Madness.

“A few years ago, I asked God to put me in a situation where I could do the same things: win a regular-season conference title, play for a conference championship, and play in the tournament,” Schmidt said. “Here we are. He has given me all of those opportunities, and I’m thankful and blessed for my time and experiences at CBU.”

California Baptist duo set for NCAA Tournament experience they missed two years ago Orange County Register

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California Baptist duo set for NCAA Tournament experience they missed two years ago

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