WBB: 2025-26 Season Preview & Coaches Poll

Oct. 23, 2025 – After another dominant campaign, the road to the Valerie Girsberger Trophy once again runs through the Saskatchewan Huskies.

Winners of eight of the last 11 Canada West titles, the Huskies enter the 2025-26 season as the team to beat as conference play tips off this weekend.

Fresh off a season in which they captured both the Canada West and U SPORTS national championships, Saskatchewan were near-unanimous favourites in this year’s coaches poll, collecting 15 first-place votes. The Alberta Pandas finished second in the rankings with one ​ first-place vote, while UBC rounded out the top three and also had a first place nod.

The Huskies were nearly untouchable last season, posting an 18-2 regular season record before sweeping through both the conference playoffs and national championship tournament. Even more daunting for their opponents — the reigning champions return their entire core, led by reigning CW and U SPORTS Player of the Year Gage Grassick. She’s joined by a veteran cast that includes Maya Flindall, Logan Reider, and Téa DeMong, giving Saskatchewan a lineup built for another national title run.

While the Huskies are heavy favourites, a number of contenders are eager to challenge their reign — none more so than the Alberta Pandas. Expectations are high as longtime head coach Scott Edwards enters his 20th season with a deep, experienced roster that returns four starters from last year’s bronze-medal team, including fourth year guard Annacy Palmer.

Out west, the UBC Thunderbirds finished third in the poll as they begin a new era under head coach Dave Taylor, looking to build on last season’s CW silver-medal finish. The T-Birds will be without All-Canadian Mona Berlitz, sidelined with a season-ending injury, but still boast plenty of firepower thanks to returning All-Star Olivia Weekes and the addition of transfer standout Jaeli Ibbetson — keeping UBC firmly in the championship conversation.

The regular season begins with a full slate of games running this Friday through Sunday. The schedule runs through Feb. 7, with playoffs beginning Feb. 13 and the Canada West final scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 27.

Fans can stream every game on CanadaWest.TV - Powered by BioSteel. This season, purchasing an All-Access pass allows fans to download three games to keep forever. A regular season pass is also available, allowing fans to catch all the action across both men's and women's volleyball for one low price.

For the complete Canada West women’s basketball schedule, click here.

To view CW women's basketball history and records, click here.

2025-26 CW WBB PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL 

Team - Points (First-place votes)

Team by Team Previews

Saskatchewan Huskies

Coaches Poll Rank: #1

Team Overview: Coming off a 2024-25 season which saw the Huskies capture the 10th conference and third national title in program history, the Dogs return 11 players from their championship roster, positioning the team well for their title defence. Sporting a veteran team the Huskies will look to once again take control of the conference, having suffered just eight total losses the previous four seasons. The 2025-26 season will also see Gage Grassick once again lead the program, with the fifth-year guard returning with some new hardware after capturing gold at the 2025 Junior PanAm Games.

From the coach: “The Huskies return a veteran core from the 2025 National Championship team. The team will be looking to continue to be very competitive in the Canada West conference. Key to the team's success will be a reliance on gritty team defence and balanced scoring." - Lisa Thomaidis

Key Performer: Gage Grassick
​Guard | 5th Year | Prince Albert, Sask.

Gage Grassick returns for her final season as a Huskie coming off one of the most dominant individual seasons U SPORTS has ever seen. Grassick was awarded several accolades including the Lois & Doug Mitchell U SPORTS Athlete of the Year, U SPORTS Final 8 MVP, Nan Copp Trophy, and the Canada West Player of the Year en route to leading the Huskies to both conference and national success.

With the Saskatchewan offence running through the veteran guard, Grassick finished the regular season at the nation's leader in 3-point shooting in addition to leading the conference in assists and steals while averaging a staggering 18.4 points per game.

Alberta Pandas

Coaches Poll Rank: #2

Team Overview: Expectations are high for Pandas Basketball this season, as head coach Scott Edwards heads into year 20 with a deep and experienced roster. The Pandas return four starters from last year's CW bronze-medal winning team, a deep bench, and four top-level recruits. The Pandas will be among the favourites to bring a conference banner to UofA campus this season.

From the coach: With a solid returning roster, expectations are that we should be one of the stronger Canada West squads this season. Our overall team health and consistent performances from a veteran lineup will dictate just how successful this season can be." - Scott Edwards

Key Performer: Annacy Palmer
​Guard | 4th Year | Edmonton, Alta.

Aiming for a second CW title in four seasons and fourth-straight trip to nationals, all eyes will be on fourth-year guard Annacy Palmer to led the Pandas this season.

A 2025 Canada West All-Star, Palmer finished third in the conference making 39.8% of her shots from beyond the arc, leading the Pandas with 13.1 points per game last season.

UBC Thunderbirds

Coaches Poll Rank: #3

Team Overview: The Thunderbirds are a veteran-laden group, with plenty of size and experience in the front court especially, even after losing All-Canadian forward Mona Berlitz for the season due to injury. They'll lean on their rebounding and defence to give them the edge as they aim to make it back to the Canada West Final. The starting lineup will likely consist entirely of fourth and fifth-year players.

From the coach: “UBC has a very experienced group back from a Canada West silver medal finish. Despite losing All-Canadian Mona Berlitz to a season ending injury, the T-Birds strength is in the front court. Returning all-star Olivia Weekes and former UBCO all-star Jaeli Ibbetson will be counted on for scoring. Master's degree transfer Cass Joli-Couer and rookie Brooke Wagner add size up front. Returning perimeter players Cerys Merton, Sara Toneguzzi and Stella LaGrange will key a strong defence. UBC looks to rely on their defence and rebounding to contend to make a return trip to Nationals.” - Dave Taylor

Key Performer: Olivia Weekes
​Guard | 5th Year | Winnipeg, Man.

Weekes is an all-around forward who has grown tremendously as a player in her time at UBC. She can score inside, is a tenacious rebounder, takes on tough defensive assignments, and last year showed that she can stretch the floor as well with a highly efficient three-point shot (48.7%) on low volume (just barely missing cutoff to qualify for the CW leaderboards). She's also a two-time Canada West All-Star.

Calgary Dinos

Coaches Poll Rank: #4

Team Overview: It's the start of a new era in the Blue Sky City. Sarah Besselink was named the ninth head coach in Calgary Dinos history back in April and has a solid returning core from a group that went 16-4 a season ago. A handful of talented newcomers will look to make their mark as the Dinos battle in the always competitive Canada West Conference.

From the coach: “With 11 returning players and some key new additions, we are looking to build off of a competitive season last year. Keys to success this season will be building on the established defensive culture, playing at a high pace on offence, along with a balanced scoring attack from multiple players.” - Sarah Besselink

Key Performer: Amelie Collin
​Guard | 5th Year | Rimouski, Que.

Amelie Collin has been a force for the Dinos since the day she stepped foot on campus. The two-way guard has started an incredible 80 of the 84 games she's played for the Scarlet & Gold, leading the charge defensively while pouring in 674 points over that span. Now a fifth-year, Collin will be looked to help lead the mix of veteran and youth on this year's Calgary squad.

Regina Cougars

Coaches Poll Rank: #5

Team Overview: The Cougars would love to get out of Canada West and compete for nationals, but know they'll need to play their best while competing in the most difficult division and conference in the country. Keys to success will be staying healthy and getting balanced scoring while also employing a high tempo defence that covers the full court.

From the coach: “We are looking to compete with the top teams in our division which is an incredibly difficult division to get out of. Our keys to success will be staying healthy, running the floor, more balanced scoring and a full court defensive emphasis." - Michaela Kleisinger ​

Key Performer: Jade Belmore
​Wing | 5th Year | Regina, Sask.

Jade is a multiple time All-Canadian who commands attention from opposing defences, allowing her to open up scoring opportunities for her teammates. Along with her prolific scoring, she plays with great hustle and instincts on defence.

Victoria Vikes

Coaches Poll Rank: #6

Team Overview: The Vikes are looking to continue their regular season success, with a larger focus on a run in the postseason. The first-round exit last year stings and this team feels as though they have an impressive blend of returning experience and rookies that can make an immediate impact. Led by Becker, the Vikes will look to lean on their All Star as her talent improvements continue trend upwards.

From the coach: “With nine of 14 players hailing from Vancouver Island we have an exciting mix of veteran presence inside and young guard play on the perimeter. We look forward to using our dynamic guard play to add more full-court defensive pressure and transition opportunities." - Carrie Watts

Key Performer: Abigail Becker
​Centre | 5th Year | Parksville, B.C.

Becker returns to the Vikes for her fifth season. The centre led the Vikes in points and rebounds per game last season, earning Canada West Second Team All-Star honours. Becker set her new career high with 30 points against Thompson Rivers on Feb. 8, while adding eight double-doubles to her season resume.

Trinity Western Spartans

Coaches Poll Rank: #7

Team Overview: The Spartans will be focused on continuing the development of a strong core group of veteran athletes who bring valuable playoff experience from the past two seasons, while also integrating a promising group of younger players who are quickly making their mark. The blend of these two groups is expected to be key to the team’s success, providing depth and balance beyond the starting lineup.

From the coach: “Our developing core group, including two former CW rookie all-stars in Colette Van der Hoven and Blessing Ibekwe, has been working hard to improve after making it to CW quarter-finals last year and want to take a step forward from that point. With the addition of transfer, Myrlaine Shelvey, and two provincial team athletes, Moriah Jansen and Mavleen Chahal, we are looking forward to building on last year's playoff win.” - Cheryl Jean-Paul

Key Performer: Colette Van der Hoven
​Guard | 2nd Year | Maple Ridge, B.C.

Colette has started stepping into her own, knowing that defences will key on her after an outstanding rookie year.

UBCO Heat

Coaches Poll Rank: #8

Team Overview: With three consecutive trips to the Canada West postseason under their belts, a refreshed roster for head coach Bobby Mitchell will look to build on their success from a season ago and take a step up the conference standings this year. Defensively, the team will be tougher to score on in 2025-26 with a lengthy front court, featuring 6-2 standouts Tennyson McCarthy and Kanani Coon. On the offensive side of the ball, second year guards Tsuki Tsuzuki and Kiana Kaczur will play distributors with plenty of offensive weapons at their disposal, including Lily Pink, Sydney Lewis and the aforementioned McCarthy and Coon.

From the coach: "We want to build off of a challenging preseason and be ready come regular season. Keys for us will be to play consistently and stay focused on the process. We can't get too far ahead or thinking about the previous week." ​ - Bobby Mitchell

Key Performer: Lily Pink
​Guard | 4th Year | Kelowna, B.C.

Heading into her second season with the Heat, the senior guard will be looked upon to lead a young squad looking to move up the Canada West standings. Her ability to impact the game in all aspects on the floor is impressive as she led the team in scoring, steals and blocks last season, and was top three in rebounds and assists.

UFV Cascades

Coaches Poll Rank: #9

Team Overview: With many impact players graduating last season, it will be a much different looking team in 2025-26 for UFV. Julia Tuchscherer, Esther Allison, and Bernie Leda are just a few of the holdovers for UFV who have made back-to-back Canada West semifinal appearances, and they look to lead a young team onto the court this year in Abbotsford.

From the coach: “We have a young and energetic team this year, led by fifth year senior Julia Tuchscherer.” - Al Tuchscherer

Key Performer: Julia Tuchscherer
​Forward | 5th Year | Chilliwack, B.C.

Julia Tuchscherer is going to be the go-to player for UFV in 2025-26. The star forward posted the third best shooting percentage in the conference, and was the leagues leading shot blocker last season. With a young team surrounding her, Tuchscherer will look to be a focal point for the Cascades at both ends of the court.

Mount Royal Cougars

Coaches Poll Rank: #10

Team Overview: The Cougars are aiming to build on their positive 2024-25 season, which concluded with an 11-9 record and a playoff appearance. Although the team graduated a core group of seniors last year, the returning players provide a strong blend of youth and experience. The Cougars look to be a hard team to contain on offence while keeping opposing sides honest on the defensive end of the court. A variety of talent will keep them in the top half of the standings as they look to head back to the postseason for the fifth straight year.

From the coach: “With a younger core, our group will need to depend on our first and second year athletes to play bigger roles. Our first two weekends are Alberta, followed by Saskatchewan, which will certainly set the tone in terms of expectations. We know winning in this big and physical league is tough, but our success will come from sticking to our style of basketball and persevering through the season’s challenges.” - Robyn Fleckenstein

Key Performer: Nora Luca
​Forward | 5th Year | Calgary, Alta.

Nora Luca has been one of the most versatile players in the Canada West the past four seasons and will be the focal point of the Cougars' system in her final year. Luca led the Cougars in almost every major statistical category last season and ranked third in the league for rebounds per game. Her ability to play in the low post but also step out beyond the arc makes her a tough player to guard.

Lethbridge Pronghorns

Coaches Poll Rank: #11

Team Overview: With seven returners and seven new players added, the Horns expect a period of transition before their team hits full gear. However, head coach Dave Waknuk is very excited by a returning core that has worked hard and improved this offseason. The Horns are also very excited with their new additions, as a mixture of transfers and high school rookies all enter the program with high levels of skill, athleticism and basketball IQ.

From the coach: “University of Lethbridge is a mix of returning and new faces, as the Pronghorns add seven new faces. However with their new look roster, the Horns will bring back many key pieces, including their leading scorer, Courtney McKee. Anchored by solid veterans and exciting new additions, the Pronghorns will look to build on their success from last year, which included a first round playoff win and look forward to another competitive Canada West season.”- Dave Waknuk

Key Performer: Courtney McKee
​Guard | 3rd Year | Stirling, Alta.

The former CW All-Rookie Team has been a leader in many offensive categories in her past two seasons, and is the leading returning scorer for the Horns. The Stirling product plays with a mix of elite athleticism and outstanding skill.

Manitoba Bisons

Coaches Poll Rank: #12

Team Overview: Manitoba returns the core of their roster in 2025-26, signed the best recruit in the province of Manitoba in point guard Taylor Schepp and added two veteran transfers in Kyu Fust and Alexis Hart. With an up-tempo playing style and a core of their roster who played together on the provincial team and in high school, look for the Herd to have a breakout campaign in 2025-26.

From the coach: "Our success this season will come from a balanced offensive attack, with multiple players capable of filling the stat sheet on any given night. We’re focused on maintaining a defensive mindset every weekend and bringing a relentless competitiveness to every matchup in our league. A key to elevating our performance in conference play will be controlling the rebounding battle and turning those opportunities into points in transition." - Michele Sung

Key Performer: Anna Miko
​Forward | 3rd Year | Winnipeg, Man.

Forward Anna Miko had a career year as a sophomore, developing into one of the conference's most versatile forwards with her shooting range, vision and defensive abilities. Her 100 defensive rebounds were top ten in Canada West, and she tallied five double doubles, with Manitoba going 4-1 in those contests. When she is consistent on both ends, so are the Herd.

Winnipeg Wesmen

Coaches Poll Rank: #13

Team Overview: With key players entering a pivotal third year, and a couple of veterans in the mix as well, the Wesmen will look to take the leap from the cusp of the playoffs into the post-season. Jennifer Kallon, Jazmin Birch and Jasia Hayden were part of a strong recruiting class three years ago that now forms a good chunk of the Wesmen's leadership group. Fifth-year forward Carmen Hiebert bolsters the front court.

From the coach: “We are looking to build on our growth from the past two seasons and take advantage of our returning talent. Keys for us this season will be our ability to defend with pressure as a team and competing hard together and taking advantage of the depth in our roster. We have a variety of offensive talents and our group has proven to be tough and resilient through our pre-season competition.” - Alyssa Cox

Key Performer: Raia Guinto
​Guard | 4th Year | Winnipeg, Man.

After the graduation of five-year starting guard Anna Kernaghan, fourth-year Raia Guinto steps in as the backcourt leader. The team's top returning scorer from a season ago, Guinto will look to take another step forward while playing alongside new backcourt mates in true freshman Jennifer Edwards and import transfer Missy May Valdez.

Brandon Bobcats

Coaches Poll Rank: #14

Team Overview: The Bobcats are firmly in the "culture building" stage in year two under head coach Ilarion Bonhomme, who is focused on improving defensive consistency and developing his young core in the hyper-competitive Canada West conference. The team's primary expectation is to significantly increase its win total and prove it can compete consistently across the division.

From the coach: “Relying on development of younger players who had to play bigger roles last season. Also, the addition of very athletic local kid and two high level international recruits. Looking to play a fast pace offensive style and very aggressively defensively.” - Ilarion Bonhomme

Key Performer: Piper Ingalls
​Guard | 5th Year | Moose Jaw, Sask.

Piper Ingalls is not just a scorer - she is the engine of the Bobcats' offence and was named Brandon's MVP last season. Her decision to return for a fifth year is arguably the biggest off-season win for Coach Bonhomme's program.

Thompson Rivers WolfPack

Coaches Poll Rank: #15

Team Overview: It's a new era for the WolfPack as head coach Scott Clark and associate head coach Joe Davis take control behind the bench for TRU. The WolfPack are a young squad that have added some experienced players and will look to grow together throughout the season.

From the coach: "We are looking for a more competitive season and growth all year from our group. Keys to success include establishing a defensive identity, being proud of our efforts every night, and being player led in our preparation." - Joe Davis

Key Performer: Morgan Eichenberger
​Forward | 2nd Year | Kamloops, B.C. ​

Kamloops local Morgan Eichenberger is back for her second year with the 'Pack and looking to improve on an outstanding rookie campaign. After leading the entire nation in rebounding among rookies last season, the product of St. Ann's Academy figures to be a key figure for the 'Pack this season.

MacEwan Griffins

Coaches Poll Rank: #16

Team Overview: With 12 returning players, the Griffins are no longer just a young team looking to build for the future. They enter the campaign aiming for a playoff spot, but will need to stay healthy and get more contributions from their depth than last season in order to do so. The incoming rookies have potential to be impact players in the league, so their growth this season will certainly factor into the team's success as well.

From the coach: "Learning on the experience gained last season, the Griffins return a young roster hungry to take the next step towards a playoff berth. After a strong off-season and another year of growth, this group is ready and eager to embrace the challenge of competing in the always tough Canada West conference." - Katherine Adams

Key Performer: Unity Obasuyi
​Forward | 3rd Year | Edmonton, Alta.

After she accounted for 31.54 per cent of the Griffins' offensive production last season - the highest percentage from a single player in program history - Obasuyi will be leaned on heavily again. Her ability to score inside and outside and contribute in multiple other ways makes her a threat every time she steps onto the court.

Now in her third season, Obasuyi is the impact player the Griffins need to lead the way as they aim for a playoff spot.

UNBC Timberwolves

Coaches Poll Rank: #17

Team Overview: The UNBC Timberwolves are going to be one of the youngest teams in the country in 2025-26. Head coach Sergey Shchepotkin could have as many as six first-year players contributing to his team's success this season, and at the other end, Amrit Manak is the team's lone fourth-year player. Speed, defensive toughness and quick ball movement will all be strengths of this young, up-and-coming squad this season.

From the coach: "Our team outlook this season is focused on growth and development. With a very young roster, we are gaining experience and building chemistry within the team. We're emphasizing daily improvement and learning from every game. Staying committed to these goals will help us grow throughout the season.” - Sergey Shchepotkin

Key Performer: Viktoriia Filatova
​Guard | 3rd Year | Moscow, Russia

Given the departure of several key veterans, a huge onus will be placed on the shoulders of third-year guard Viktoriia Filatova. Luckily for UNBC, the talented guard is more than up for the challenge. Filatova has already established herself as one of the top scorers in Western Canada and this season will likely provide even more opportunities for her offensively and otherwise.