WSU women’s basketball season is approaching with 32 games, split between 18 West Coast Conference (WCC) matchups and 14 non-conference games.
The Cougs will face off against Eastern Oregon first at its exhibition game on Oct. 26, before officially starting the season against the Idaho Vandals at Beasley Coliseum on Nov. 3.
The Cougs will have the opportunity to play nine of their games at home and nine games on the road. They will have 14 non-conference games throughout the first half of their season, including the exhibition.
During the 2024 to 2025 season, the Cougs ranked No. 3, with a conference record of 14-6 and an overall record of 21-14.
Looking ahead to the WCC schedule (and the conference rankings)
Pepperdine
To start off the Cougs’ conference games, they will face Pepperdine University on Dec. 28 at home. The Cougs will play Pepperdine twice this season. Last season, the Cougs beat Pepperdine twice, the last of which was a 57-49 victory. Pepperdine finished tenth in the conference last season, with a conference record of 3-17 and an overall record of 8-22.
LMU
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) will face the Cougs on Dec. 30 at Beasley. LMU was ranked No. 9 with a conference record of 7-13 and an overall record of 14-16. The Cougs beat LMU 63-51 last season and will play LMU once in the conference season of 2025-2026.
Portland
The University of Portland will face off with the Cougars twice this season. The first game will be in Portland and the second one at Beasley. Portland will be a big competitor due to the Cougs losing both games last season. Portland ranked No. 1 in the WCC with a conference score of 17-3 and overall 31-5.
Seattle
This is Seattle University’s first season back with the WCC after leaving in 1981. The last time the Cougs played Seattle was back in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, the Cougs beat Seattle 82-62.
OSU
Oregon State University will face the Cougs twice this season. Once in Corvallis, Oregon, and once at Beasley. OSU finished No. 4 last season, with a conference record of 12-8 and an overall record of 19-16. Last time the teams played, the Cougs beat OSU 65-57.
Santa Clara
Santa Clara will face the Cougs in Santa Clara, Calif., for their first game against each other. Last season, the Cougs first lost to Santa Clara but came back during their second meeting of the season, winning 74-47. Santa Clara ranked No. 8 with a conference record of 8-12 and an overall record of 14-17.
Saint Mary’s
Saint Mary’s College will face the Cougars twice this season. Their first face-off will be at Saint Mary’s in California. Last season, the Cougs beat Saint Mary’s in both games. Saint Mary’s was ranked No. 6 last season with a 10-10 conference record and an overall record of 14-17.
San Francisco
The Cougs and the University of San Francisco will only play once during the season. Last year, the Cougs played San Francisco, winning both games. San Francisco ranked No. 5 last season, with a conference record of 11-9 and overall 15-16.
Pacific
The University of the Pacific and the Cougs will play in Stockton, Calif. In the 2024 to 2025 season, both teams met twice, with the Cougs winning both games with a score of 82-70 for the first game and 73-62 in the second. Pacific ranked No. 7 with a conference record of 9-11 and an overall record of 15-19.
Gonzaga
One of the closest conference games the Cougs will face will be against Gonzaga University. Gonzaga and the Cougs will face off twice this season. The first game will be played at Beasley and the second in Spokane. Last season, the Cougs lost to Gonzaga in both games. Gonzaga, which finished No. 2, had a conference record of 17-3 and an overall record of 24-11.
The Cougs will also have six new players on the team this season. Lauren Glazier, a senior forward arriving from Pacific, played for the Cougs her freshman year. Mackenzie Chatfield, a junior guard from Western Kentucky University, will also be joining the Cougs. The Cougs will have four incoming freshmen: Malvina Haziri from Vushtrria, Kosovo; Tahara Magassa from Paris, France; Tanja Valancic from Ljubljana, Slovenia and Malia Ruud from Pasco, Wash.
There will also be six returning players this season: Jean Chiu, a senior and guard; Eleonora Villa, a junior and guard; Marta Alsina, a sophomore and guard; Keandra Koorits, a redshirt freshman, guard and forward; Charlotte Abraham, a sophomore and guard; and Alex Covill, a junior and center. The Cougs will be coached by head coach Kamie Ethridge, associate head coach Laurie Koehn, assistant coach Camille Williams and assistant coach Matt Smith.
