Holland Reporter

The Grand Valley State women's basketball team is set to start its 2025-26 season at the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri. The Lakers will face Missouri Western State on Friday and West Texas A&M on Saturday.

After winning their second National Championship last year, Grand Valley State enters the new season ranked first in the WBCA preseason poll. The team brings back six key rotation players from last year's squad, including All-GLIAC honorees Nicole Kamin, MacKenzie Bisballe, and Paige VanStee. All three were selected for the league's preseason All-Conference team, with Kamin being named Player of the Year. Grand Valley State was also picked to win the GLIAC for a fifth consecutive year, securing all available first-place votes.

Last season, the Lakers led Division II in bench points per game (43.2) and scoring margin (30.3 points per game). The roster this year includes three returning players from injury as well as five freshmen and four redshirt freshmen expected to contribute.

Missouri Western State finished last season with a 20-10 record but lost in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Griffons return only one player from that team—senior Meredith Rieker—and have added 11 newcomers under new head coach Luke Scheidecker. Their new additions include nine transfers (two from Division I programs) and two freshmen.

West Texas A&M advanced to the second round of last year's NCAA Tournament with a 19-12 record and received votes just outside the top 25 in this year's WBCA preseason poll. The Buffaloes return their top eight scorers from last season, including LSC Preseason Player of the Year Kyla Kane along with Randi Harding and Claire Graham—all of whom earned All-Conference honors previously. In preseason play, West Texas A&M defeated Arizona while also facing SMU and Baylor.

Fans can follow both games through live stats or streaming via the MIAA Network (subscription required), or by following @gvsuwbb on social media or visiting GVSUlakers.com for more coverage.