Cal Lutheran Regals Face Roster Changes for 2026 Season

The team prepares to open its season without key award-winning players Alline Ballard and Janna Holley.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration showing two basketball players in motion on a hardwood court, reflecting the team's transition. — The Cal Lutheran Regals basketball team enters the 2026 season on November 14 looking to integrate new talent following major roster departures. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Cal Lutheran Regals basketball team begins the upcoming season on November 14, 2026, without stars Alline Ballard and Janna Holley. Ballard, a SCIAC Offensive Athlete of the Year, has transferred, while Holley, the SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Year, has graduated.

Why it matters

The departure of two major award winners creates a significant void in team production as the Regals aim to defend their recent SCIAC championship success. The team is now pivoting toward integrating new talent and emphasizing collective defense.

Alline Ballard averaged 14.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game last season, while Janna Holley recorded 2.3 steals per game. The team enters the season needing to maintain a defensive standard that saw them allow only 57.9 points per game last year.

The players

Alline Ballard

She is the former SCIAC Offensive Athlete of the Year who transferred to West Virginia State University.

Janna Holley

She is the former SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Year who recently graduated from Cal Lutheran University.

Kaiya Mack

She is expected to step into a leading scoring role for the Regals after previously averaging 11.3 points per game.

Courtney Hart

She is a 6'2" center who joined the team as a transfer from Eureka College.

The details

To fill the vacancy left by the departing duo, the team added 6'2" center Courtney Hart from Eureka College. The squad is now focused on strengthening team defense and integrating new players, with Kaiya Mack expected to lead the offensive effort.

Cal Lutheran won the SCIAC regular season championship in 2024.
The Regals won the SCIAC tournament championship in 2025.
The team secured the SCIAC regular season title in 2026.
The 2026 basketball season opens on November 14, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The Regals are attempting to sustain a championship legacy that includes conference titles in both 2024 and 2026. This shift in the roster dynamic tests the team's ability to maintain its high level of competitive balance within the SCIAC conference.

Fans should monitor the integration of center Courtney Hart into the lineup to see if the team can maintain its defensive average of 57.9 points allowed per game. Kaiya Mack's ability to maintain her 35% shooting mark from beyond the arc will be vital for the team's scoring efficiency.

The takeaway

The transition period for the Regals highlights the difficulty of maintaining championship momentum following the departure of key student-athletes. Success for the team this season depends heavily on the quick development of chemistry between incoming transfers and veteran returners.