WINFIELD, Kan. — The Southwestern College women's basketball team will open its 2026-27 season Monday, Oct. 26, against Manhattan Christian College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. inside historic Stewart Fieldhouse.
The Moundbuilders enter their second season under head coach Josh Burt, looking to build momentum with a young roster featuring five returning players and 12 incoming freshmen. Burt is joined by returning graduate assistant coaches Eddie Braatz and Marta Pons-Gomez as Southwestern looks to improve upon its 4-24 record from a season ago.
Leading the returners is sophomore guard Breanna Goad, who started all 28 games last season while averaging 9.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Goad finished with 277 points while shooting 32% from beyond the arc and 80% from the free-throw line.
Southwestern also returns sophomore guard Emma Parker, who appeared in all 28 games last season, making 11 starts. Parker averaged 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds while playing 27 minutes per contest. Fellow sophomores Monroe Swope and Abani Perdomo also return after appearing in 22 and 16 games, respectively, while junior Perla Hernandez rounds out the returning group.
The Moundbuilders will feature several new faces this season, with 12 true freshmen joining the program. The incoming class includes five guards and seven forwards, bringing additional depth to both the backcourt and frontcourt. Among the newcomers are 6-foot-1 forward Kaci McHugh, 5-foot-11 forward Toni Hodges-Tipton and 5-foot-10 forward Jayden Wells.
With only five players returning from last season, Southwestern will rely on Goad, Parker and the rest of its experienced group to provide leadership while the newcomers adjust to the collegiate level.
Manhattan Christian enters the season under first-year head coach Brad Willems, led by redshirt senior forward Nekayla Williams. Williams averaged 14 points and 9.6 rebounds across 27 games last season, starting 25 contests.
The Thunder also return junior guard Elayna Wegner, who averaged 5.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists while appearing in 32 games with 26 starts. Senior forward Alexandria Craig adds experience after starting 17 games last season and averaging 2.6 points per contest.
Monday's matchup will provide Southwestern with its first opportunity to establish chemistry with its new-look roster as the Moundbuilders look to begin the 2026-27 campaign with a victory on their home floor.
