By: Billi Derleth, Sports Information Director
LA MIRADA --- With the 2026-27 season approaching, the PacWest Conference released its preseason coaches' poll with Biola Women's Basketball picked to finish fourth.
The Eagles received 64 points in the poll, trailing defending PacWest champion Vanguard (98), Point Loma (83) and Westmont (82). Vanguard received eight first-place votes, while Westmont and Dominican each collected one.
Laney Grider was also named to the PacWest Preseason Watch Team. The senior guard returns after being named the 2025-26 PacWest Newcomer of the Year and earning Second Team All-PacWest honors. Grider averaged 15.4 points per game last season, ranking fourth in the conference in scoring.
Biola returns 11 players from a 2025-26 squad that finished 13-14 overall and 10-12 in PacWest play. Head coach Mike Simonson enters his third season at the helm with five returning starters in Grider, Hanne Nybo, Jaycee Goldsmith, Aliyah Bantolina and Alyssa Kubo.
2026-27 Schedule
Biola opens the year with a pair of exhibitions inside Chase Gymnasium against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on October 23 and Pomona-Pitzer on October 30 before beginning regular-season play at home against Azusa Pacific on November 9.
The Eagles will compete in the PacWest-CCAA Crossover Tournament in Irvine on November 13-14, facing Cal State San Bernardino and Stanislaus State. Biola's nonconference slate also includes matchups with Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State San Marcos, San Francisco State, Cal Poly Humboldt and Central Washington.
PacWest play begins with a three-game Hawai'i road trip against Hawai'i Hilo, Chaminade and Hawai'i Pacific from December 3-7. The Eagles will play 18 conference games before closing the regular season at home against defending PacWest champion Vanguard on February 27.
The PacWest Conference Championships are scheduled for March 4-6 inside Chase Gymnasium, with Biola serving as the tournament host.
Meet the Newcomers
Biola welcomes four freshmen to its 2026-27 roster, joining a group of 11 returners.
The Eagles add three guards in Ella Fritts, Sienna Capelli and Makena McLaughlin, along with forward Ella Tatlock.
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Head coach Mike Simonson's thoughts on Fritts: "
Ella Fritts is an athletic, competitive guard. She is a player that plays with toughness and never takes a play off. She can find ways to impact the game in a variety of ways. She chose Biola her junior year of High school because she believed in our program and University's Mission."
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Simonson's thoughts on Tatlock: "Ella Tatlock is a high IQ post player with incredible touch. She is long and is a great passer. She is very competitive and has a desire to be great. She has thrived in our environment since the beginning and fits our system very well."
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Simonson's thoughts on Capelli: "Sienna Capelli is one of the most passionate players I have coached. She is vocal and energetic. She plays the game with aggression and is strong. She can do a little bit of everything on the court but her best asset is rebounding and giving the team energy. She will be an outstanding player for us."
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Simonson's thoughts on McLaughlin:Â "Makena McLaughlin is a long versatile player. She can stretch the floor and rebound well. She has a lot of upside and will be a player that develops over her time here at Biola."
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Simonson concluded, "These best part of this recruiting class, is that they all fit Biola's mission extremely well. All will thrive and grow in their commitment to Christ during their time here again Biola."
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