FARMINGTON, Utah – The Big Sky Conference released its women's basketball preseason coaches and media polls on Wednesday afternoon, with the Idaho Vandals projected to finish second in both.
The Black and Gold earned two first-place votes in the coaches poll and three in the media poll. Montana State was selected as the preseason favorite in both polls.
Idaho enters the season looking to build upon a historic championship campaign. Head Coach Arthur Moreira returns six players—including three starters from last year's championship starting five—while welcoming eight newcomers. Key transfers bolster the roster, including 6-foot-2 senior Keanna Salave'a from Sacramento State and sophomore Brynna Pukis from Long Beach State. Additional international talent joins the squad in Brazil natives Alexia Dagba, coming to Moscow from Georgetown, and Fatumata Djalo, from Monmouth.
The Vandals return First Team All-Conference guard and Tournament MVP Hope Hassmann. Building on her standout play, Hassmann has officially been named to this year's Preseason All-Conference Team, anchoring the Vandal backcourt as one of the league's top returning floor generals.
Moreira and the staff are also encouraged by the offseason development of juniors Ana Beatriz Passos Alves da Silva and Ana Pinheiro, alongside returners Ella Uriarte and Reese de Groot.
The complete All-Conference team and preseason poll breakdowns are as follows:
Big Sky Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State (Preseason MVP)
Hope Hassmann, Idaho
Kourtney Grossman, Eastern Washington
Addison Harris, Montana State
Ava Uhrich, Southern Utah
Avery Waddington, Montana
Elyn Bowers, Eastern Washington
Big Sky Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll
1. Montana State (9) – 99
2. Idaho (2) – 90
3. Northern Colorado – 76
4. Eastern Washington – 71
5. Southern Utah – 67
6. Montana – 54
7. Idaho State – 49
8. Weber State- 32
9. Portland State – 30
10. Northern Arizona – 27
11. Utah Tech – 10
() – Denotes First-Place Votes
Big Sky Women's Basketball Media Poll
1. Montana State (23) – 283
2. Idaho (3) – 254
3. Northern Colorado – 214
4. Eastern Washington – 197
5. Southern Utah – 173
6. Idaho State – 157
7. Montana – 149
8. Northern Arizona – 110
9. Weber State – 70
10. Portland State – 63
11. Utah Tech - 46
() – Denotes First-Place Votes
Having outperformed preseason projections in back-to-back seasons on their way to the 2025–26 regular-season and tournament titles, the Vandals are tried and true for the road ahead.
UP NEXT: Idaho hosts Saint Martin's for its annual Education Game on November 2 at 11 a.m.
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TICKETS: Season ticket deposits at GoVandals.com/Tickets or by calling (208) 885-6466. Student tickets are also now available for the entire 2026-27 season.
