CORVALLIS, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Women's Basketball was picked to finish fifth in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Preseason Poll, earning 89 points and one first-place vote.

The Mountaineers enter the 2026-27 season looking to build on a successful 2025-26 campaign under 26th-year Head Coach Anji Weissenfluh. Eastern Oregon shared the CCC regular-season title after finishing conference play at 16-4, tying with Corban University.

The Mountaineers advanced to the CCC Tournament semifinals, opening with a 76-50 quarterfinal victory over Warner Pacific before falling 70-57 to Lewis-Clark State. EOU earned an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament First Round as a result of its regular-season success and finished the year ranked No. 14 in the nation.

Eastern Oregon will look to carry that success into the new season while navigating the departure of four starters, including CCC Defensive Player of the Year Kelsie Siegner and Honorable Mention selection Maggie Smith. Leading the returning group are senior Kali Kast, an Honorable Mention honoree, sophomore Avery Peterson, and junior Haylee Johnson.

The Mountaineers also welcome a talented group of newcomers, including freshman Ellie Markus, a First Team Central Washington Athletic Conference selection, and freshman Aarey Harris, the 3A Western Idaho Conference Player of the Year. Eastern Oregon adds further depth with transfers Katelyn Hamilton, Hadley Fraas, and Britany Phillips.

The Mountaineers will open the 2026-27 season at the Northwest Crossover Classic in Spokane, Washington, where they will face Frontier Conference opponents Carroll College (Mont.) and Montana State University-Northern.

With a combination of experienced returners and new talent, Eastern Oregon will look to establish its identity early, remain among the top contenders in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, and make another push toward the NAIA National Tournament.

2026-27 CCC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. College of Idaho (5)	107
2. Oregon Tech (2)	101
3. Corban University (3)	100
4. Lewis-Clark State College	94
5. Eastern Oregon University (1)	89
6. Southern Oregon University	69
7. Northwest University	49
8. Bushnell University	47
9. Warner Pacific University	31
10. The Evergreen State College	21
11. Walla Walla University	18