WINONA, Minn. — It's hard to believe that the 2026-27 women's basketball season is here! The Cardinals have so much to build on after their best season in a decade last year. 

"We're excited to be bringing back a core group from last season and adding new players this year that our fans haven't seen on the floor yet," said head women's basketball coach Courtney Shelton, who is entering her third year for the Cardinals.

But it is a new chapter; it's time to see what's in store for the program as we get two weeks away from tip-off.

"The expectations have been created from the culture we have in our own locker room. It's not about looking into the future and hoping to go farther than we did last year. It's about raising the bar and holding ourselves to a higher standard."

"This group has already shown dedication to the process of getting better, and we are looking to build off the momentum of what we were able to accomplish last season."

The team will open the season at home on Thursday, Nov. 12, for a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Crown College. They will officially open conference play at Macalester on Wednesday, Dec. 2, before closing out 2026 with a holiday tournament hosted by Wartburg Dec. 29 through Dec. 30.

When the team returns, they will finish out their season with competitive conference action, starting back up hosting Saint Benedict on Saturday, Jan. 2. They will have a two-week home stand hosting Hamline, Augsburg, and St. Olaf. 

The team will host their annual senior day celebrations against Gustavus Adolphus back at home on Saturday, Feb. 13, before closing out the regular season at Carleton on Saturday, Feb. 20.

"We want to attack the work, compete in everything we do, and keep stacking daily wins that we set for ourselves."

The team looks to make it three consecutive trips to the MIAC Playoffs that are slated for Feb. 23 through Feb. 27.

The team returns all three of its All-Conference student-athletes to lead the team. Brianna Nusbaum and Kali Olson return to the team, the team's key point guard and post player. They also return MIAC Rookie of the Year and all-around player, Ayla Olson, who led the team in scoring.

"We want to deliver on the expectations that we have set for ourselves. When we commit to our process and team culture, good things are going to happen for us."

There are plenty of good things that will happen for this Cardinal team.