MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 7 Minnesota State women's basketball team travels to Wisconsin Dells, Wis. To compete in the Wisconsin Dells Classic. The Mavericks will face No. 1 Grand Valley State on Friday at 9 a.m., Lake Superior State on Saturday at 11:15 a.m., and Northern Michigan on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
 
About the Mavericks
 
Head Coach Emilee Thiesse enters her 15th season as a head coach (all with MSU). Minnesota State went 29-3 during the 2025-26 season, marking the seventh 25-win season in program history and the fifth under Thiesse. Thiesse comes off her best season with a .906 win percentage. MSU loses four of their five starters from last year's team. Most notably, Natalie Bremer who was honored as DII Honda Athlete of the Year. Elisabeth Gadient returns after playing in 11 games last season before sustaining a season-ending injury.
 
The Mavericks are ranked 1st in the NSIC preseason poll and 7th in the WBCA preseason poll. Entering her 15th season, Thiesse has led the Mavericks to a 11-3 record in season openers. Thiesse added five players to the Maverick roster for the 2026-27 season. Brielle Janssen, Brooklyn Lewis, Brylee Miller, Alyvia Padgett, and Amaya Pahl join the program for the 2026-27 season.
 
About the GVSU Lakers
 
Grand Valley is led by head coach Mike Williams. Williams owns a career record of 445-61, including a 314-50 mark at Grand Valley State. The Lakers have won the previous two national championships. Williams and his team look to make it a three-peat.
 
The Lakers return Paige VanStee, one of their top players from last year's team. Voted GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year, Mackenzie Bisballe looks to build off an impressive sophomore campaign. A D2CCA All-American selection a season ago, Bisballe has totaled 912 points in her career, shooting 54.3% from the field, averaging over 12 points per season. She has recorded five double-doubles and has grabbed 400 rebounds as a Laker.
Following their national championship season, the Lakers welcomed several new faces to the roster. Grand Valley has 10 freshmen or redshirt freshmen on their team. They lose seven players and four starters.
 
The Mavericks and Lakers have only ever faced one time back in January 1982 when the Lakers won the game 64-50. MSU and GVSU will play on Friday at 9 a.m.
 
About the LSSU Lakers
 
Lake Superior State is led by head coach Grace Howrigon. Howrigon has an overall record of 82-116 and a 13-44 with LSSU.
 
Coming off of an 8-21 overall record last season, the Lakers return two starters. Dara Capaldi returns for her final year of collegiate basketball. Last season she averaged 12.1 points, 1.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds. She is a preseason GLAIC Second Team all-conference nominee. Senior guard Lara Aguzzi also returns for the Lakers. Lake Superior State has 13 upperclassmen players on their team. The Lakers will rely on their veteran experience throughout the weekend.
 
The Mavericks and LSSU have only faced each other one time back in December 1995 when MSU won the game 63-56. Minnesota State and Lake Superior State will tip off Saturday at 11:15 a.m.
 
About the Wildcats
 
Northern Michigan is led by head coach Casey Thousand. Casey has an overall record of 204-178 and an 85-40 record with the Wildcats.
 
Northern Michigan looks to continue momentum from a strong 2025-26 campaign where they went 25-8. The Wildcats brought in six new freshmen since last season. They do not have a senior on the squad. In an interview, coach Thousand said, "We've learned a lot already. This is going to be a year of growth because we have such a young team, but there is sparks of really good things." Junior guard Sydney Whitehouse brings her all around skill set back for the Wildcats. She averaged 9.6 points, 1.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.
 
Minnesota State and Northern Michigan last played against each other in November 2019. MSU would win the game 83-57. MSU and the Wildcats will play on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
 
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