Hope International enters the 2026–27 GSAC women’s basketball season as the preseason favorite after sweeping the league’s regular-season and tournament championships last year. The Royals went 15–1 in conference play and defeated Arizona Christian, 68–66, in the GSAC championship game.
Hope International received six first-place votes and 62 points in the preseason coaches poll. The Master’s earned two first-place votes and 56 points to finish second, followed by Arizona Christian with 49 points and the remaining first-place vote. Benedictine Mesa placed fourth (40), Embry-Riddle fifth (32), OUAZ sixth (31), Park Gilbert seventh (25), Life Pacific eighth (19) and La Sierra ninth (10).
The Royals were the GSAC’s representative in the 2026 NAIA National Championship, falling to Lewis-Clark State, 74–65, in the opening round. The Master’s finished second in the regular season at 14–2, while Arizona Christian advanced to the conference tournament final after defeating the Mustangs in the semifinals.
Several decorated players return. Hope International brings back Amira Austin, the 2026 GSAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and an All-GSAC selection, and All-GSAC guard Nicole Chuang. Austin averaged 13.7 points and 10.4 rebounds with 13 double-doubles, while Chuang averaged 13.6 points and made 74 three-pointers. The Master’s returns All-GSAC guard Chloe Auble and Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alli VanKooten, who averaged 13.8 points and 11.9 rebounds.
Benedictine Mesa welcomes back 2026 GSAC Newcomer of the Year Alannah Northam and All-GSAC guard Olivia Arvallo. Embry-Riddle returns Co-Freshman of the Year Makenzie Alapai, while Arizona Christian adds former Life Pacific All-GSAC selection Ysabel Puente. These experienced players join a conference with several new transfers and returning contributors expected to shape the standings.
The GSAC returns to a six-team conference tournament in 2026–27, with the highest seeds hosting each round. First-round games are scheduled for February 23, followed by semifinals on February 26 and the championship on March 1. All GSAC women’s basketball games will be available on Overnght, the conference streaming partner. Watch on Overnght ›