Washington State Women’s Basketball to Improve for 2026-27

The Cougars look to bounce back from a 9-25 record with a revamped roster and returning talent.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Basketball

Washington State Women’s Basketball to Improve for 2026-27

Live Poll

Will the Washington State women's basketball team successfully improve their record in the 2026-27 season?

Washington State University enters the 2026-27 season looking to improve on a 9-25 record from the previous year. The team features a mix of returning starters and new additions as they prepare for the upcoming schedule.

Why it matters

Returners are motivated by last season's high loss count, while the addition of new players provides depth to the roster. The team aims to establish a more competitive presence throughout the season.

Eleonora Villa led the returners with 16.5 points per game last season, while Alex Covill averaged 10.8 points before missing 14 games due to a foot injury. Transfer Mackenzie Chatfield joins the team after averaging 4.6 points per game at Western Kentucky.

The players

Mackenzie Chatfield

She is a transfer player from Western Kentucky who is working to regain her shooting confidence after recovering from a foot injury.

Eleonora Villa

She is a key returning player who averaged 16.5 points per game during the previous basketball season.

Alex Covill

She is a returning forward who averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game before a foot injury sidelined her for 14 games.

Laurie Koehn

She serves as an assistant coach for Washington State University and is working with players to improve their shooting skills.

Malia Ruud

She is a returning player who joins five other starters to provide experience for the upcoming season.

The details

The team welcomes four freshmen and two sophomore transfers to bolster the depth behind five returning starters and Malia Ruud. Mackenzie Chatfield, who struggled with shooting confidence following nerve damage from a foot injury, spent the offseason retraining her three-point shot with assistant coach Laurie Koehn.

The team recorded a 9-25 record during the 2025-26 season.
The squad plays their full schedule during the 2026-27 season.
The team is expected to be competitive in January 2027.
The team is expected to be competitive in February 2027.

Season Trajectory

The 2026-27 roster aims to reverse the momentum of the 2025-26 season to put the program in a better position for postseason contention. The team is counting on improved health for key contributors to shift their standing in the conference.

Alex Covill is expected to provide an increased scoring presence inside, which will be critical for the team's ability to compete in January and February. Fans should monitor the rotation to see how the four new freshmen and two transfers integrate with the veteran core.

The takeaway

The Cougars are banking on internal development and fresh talent to change their fortunes. Consistency in shooting and health for returning players will determine if the team meets its goal of being competitive in early 2027.