Cal Poly Women's Basketball Prepares for Season

The Mustangs open play with an exhibition game following a roster overhaul.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a Cal Poly basketball player in motion, painted in kelly green and gold, reaching for a basketball. — Cal Poly women's basketball opens its 2026-27 season with an exhibition against Cal State San Marcos following a significant roster overhaul. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Cal Poly women's basketball team is gearing up for the 2026-27 season after a challenging previous campaign. The Mustangs host an exhibition game against Cal State San Marcos to kick off their preparations.

Why it matters

The team hopes that a influx of new talent and the return of healthy veterans will improve upon last year's 4-26 finish. Greater depth is expected to address the roster stability issues that hindered performance last season.

Cal Poly enters the season following a 4-26 record last year, with a new roster consisting of eight newcomers and eight returners. Sumer Lee joins the team with experience from 74 previous collegiate games.

The players

Shanele Stires

Shanele Stires is the head coach of the Cal Poly women's basketball team and is currently entering her fifth season with the program.

Sumer Lee

Sumer Lee is a transfer player from DePaul University who is expected to play a significant role for the Mustangs this season.

Ysabella Von Seipler

Ysabella Von Seipler is a new addition to the roster who previously played at the University of San Diego.

The details

Head coach Shanele Stires is entering her fifth season at the helm for the San Luis Obispo program. The team added several transfers, including Maddy Tauro, Sumer Lee, Mecca Alexander, Dessi Ulmer, and Ysabella Von Seipler, to provide necessary experience.

2025-26 season: Team recorded 4-26 overall record.
Oct. 21, 2026: Exhibition game against Cal State San Marcos at 6 p.m.
Nov. 2, 2026: First regular-season game against UC Merced at 5 p.m.

Soccer
Oct. 16
Cal Poly Defeats Utah Valley 3-1
Volleyball
Oct. 22
Cal Poly Roundnet Earns No. 2 Preseason Ranking
Accidents
Oct. 16
Fire Damages Top Level of Poly Canyon Village Garage

Season Trajectory

The team looks to move past the 2025-26 Big West conference season, where they finished in last place, by integrating new transfers into the rotation. This overhaul is designed to lift the Mustangs from the bottom of the conference standings.

Fans in San Luis Obispo can see how new transfers impact the floor at the upcoming exhibition match held at Mott Athletics Center. The team's performance against Cal State San Marcos will offer the first look at the 16-player roster integration.

The takeaway

The addition of eight transfers represents a significant tactical shift to improve the team's depth and experience. Success this season will rely on how quickly the new roster gels under coach Stires.