IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine women's basketball team projects as a Top 5 team in the conference after the PacWest Preseason Poll was unveiled on Thursday.
Votes for the poll are from the head coaches of the 14 schools in the league, which boasts three newcomers this season with Jessup, Menlo and Vanguard in their first seasons at the NCAA DII level.
Head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan has led Concordia to each of the last six PacWest Conference Tournaments and the Golden Eagles are eager to find a path back to the postseason.
Among the returning student-athletes are sophomore guards Izzy Navarro and Hannah Vela. Navarro was named PacWest Freshman of the Year after leading CUI in three major categories. The Tijuana, Mexico native averaged a team-best 13.5 points per game as well as 3.0 assists and 1.9 steals per contest.
Vela was another key ball-handler for the Golden Eagles who played in every game as a true freshman. The Mater Dei High School alum from Tustin averaged 4.4 points while shooting 34 percent from long range in her first season.
Upperclassmen Erika Maggard and Camryn Kiernan are also back for one more season after playing in every contest a year ago. That duo combined for 13 points and over five rebounds per game and showed off their versatility as they have served as contributors in different roles throughout their CUI careers.
Also back for the squad are Kayla Cabbacang, Ava Dominguez, Justyce Harris, Maggie Teven, Michaela Young and senior Caylee Santos, who will provide depth with different matchups.
A pair of freshman forwards will look to make an early impact. Yucca Valley native Cadence Tarrant (Yucca Valley HS) and Sophie McWatt of Australia (Burgmann Angelican School) will look to provide a spark. Fellow freshman guard Aly Pulsipher (Vista Murrieta HS) hails from Murrieta, California.
A new graduate student and a familiar face round out the roster. Newcomer Alexis Legan comes to CUI from SIU-Edwardsville and Sierra Clark returns for her final year of eligibility after earning her undergraduate degree in 2023.
Concordia opens the regular season on Friday, November 8 at Cal State San Bernardino at 1 p.m. PT.
The home opener for the women's basketball team will be Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4:00 p.m. PT against Cal Poly Humboldt.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's basketball schedule
Preseason PacWest WBB Poll
total poll points, followed by first place votes ().
1. Azusa Pacific 189 (9)
2. Point Loma 185 (4)
3. Dominican 163 (1)
4. Fresno Pacific 148
5. Concordia 131
6. Westmont 109
7. Vanguard 105
8. Biola 93
9. Menlo 74
10. Hawaii Pacific 68
11. Hawaii Hilo 65
12. Academy of Art 62
13. Jessup 56
14. Chaminade 18
CLICK HERE for the PacWest Women's Basketball Preview Article
