THE DII TIP-OFF CLASSIC IN ELLENSBURG
The Patriots travel to Ellensburg, Washington, to open the 2026-27 season at the DII Tip-Off Classic. UT Tyler will face Montana State University Billings, Western Washington University, and tournament host Central Washington University at Nicholson Arena to begin the new campaign.
UT Tyler, MSU Billings, Western Washington, Central Washington, CSU San Bernardino, Chico State, and Lubbock Christian will make up the women's field.Â
PATRIOTS NOTES AND TRENDS
- UT Tyler finished the 2025-26 season with a 22-11 overall record, earning its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, advancing to the regional semifinals.
- Head Coach Rebecca Alvidrez enters the season with a 129-61 career record, including a 120-42 mark at UT Tyler.
- Alvidrez will be assisted by assistant coaches Kelsey Crouse and Colby Wood.
- The Patriots return 11 players from last season's roster, including All-LSC Second Team selections Polina Latysheva and Leila Davis, along with All-LSC Honorable Mention selection Hayley Cumming. Other returning players include Georgia Tomkins, Edit Merivirta, Nikolina Vukcevic, Avery Alcaraz, Jorja Hart, KK Bass, Salome Svani, and Lilli Hakkarainen.
- UT Tyler welcomes four newcomers to the roster: freshmen Tylah Hooper, Nova Szabo, and Jadyn Middleton, along with transfer Erinn Gardere.
NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE ATTENTION
In the preseason WBCA Coaches Poll, UT Tyler was ranked No. 24, marking the fourth consecutive season the Patriots have opened the year ranked among the nation's top 25 teams.
In the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll, UT Tyler was picked to finish third for the second consecutive season, behind Texas Woman's and West Texas A&M. The Patriots received nine first-place votes and 755 total points. Polina Latysheva was also named a Lone Star Conference Player to Watch for the upcoming season.
THE 2025-26 CAMPAIGN
The Patriots earned their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and fifth straight Lone Star Conference Tournament berth last season, advancing to the second round of both tournaments.
UT Tyler finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 22-11 overall record and a 16-4 mark in Lone Star Conference play, finishing third in the regular-season standings. Throughout the season, the Patriots earned multiple LSC weekly honors, including two Offensive Player of the Week selections for Leila Davis and a Defensive Player of the Week honor for Hayley Cumming.
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BILLINGS
Montana State University Billings finished the 2025-26 season with a 20-15 overall record and a 9-9 mark in GNAC play. The Yellowjackets won the GNAC Tournament championship in 2026 and were picked fourth in the GNAC preseason poll heading into the 2026-27 season. Head Coach Kevin Woodin enters his 23rd season at the helm of MSUB, holding a 389-250 record with the Yellowjackets.
(#21) WESTERN WASHINGTON
Western Washington finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-8 overall record and a 15-3 mark in GNAC play. The Vikings claimed the GNAC regular-season title before falling to Montana State Billings in the conference tournament championship game. Western Washington was selected first in the GNAC preseason poll heading into the 2026-27 season. Head Coach Carmen Dolfo enters her 36th season leading the Vikings, holding a career record of 734-281.
(RV) CENTRAL WASHINGTON
Central Washington finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-7 overall record and a 14-4 mark in GNAC play. The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen before falling to Cal Poly Pomona to conclude their season. Head Coach Randi Richardson enters her 10th season leading Central Washington, holding a career record of 164-82.
