The Shippensburg University women's basketball team begins its 2026-27 season by hosting Fayetteville State and Shaw for a PSAC vs. CIAA Conference Challenge this weekend at Heiges Field House.  

Tip off against Fayetteville State is set for Friday at 6 p.m., with Shaw slated for Saturday at 6 p.m.

Four of Shippensburg's first five games of the season will be at home. 

SU's nonconference schedule also includes an exhibition game at NCAA Division I opponent Robert Morris on Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division slate gets underway when it hosts West Chester on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m.

The class breakdown of the 2026-27 roster is listed below. It is using the “traditional” eligibility model. 

There are no seniors on this year's roster; however, Mackenzie Stoner is planning to graduate at the end of the season and is planning to participate in Senior Day in the regular-season finale. The freshmen and sophomores classes account for 11 of the 15 total players. 

Shippensburg is under the direction of head coach Kristy Trn, who enters her 28th season (29th year) at the helm of the Raiders in 2026-27. Her 420 career victories rank second among conference head coaches.

Dave Smith is in his 19th season overall as a member of the SU basketball coaching staff and second as Associate Head Coach. Marlie Dickerson has joined the staff for the 2026-27 campaign after competing at the Division I level for Arkansas State.

NOTES FOR 2026-27:

• The Raiders return a total of nine players, including three starters: Melana Eyer, Lauren Marton and Michelle Olak; from last year's squad.

• Shippensburg also returns Bella Chimienti and Rylee Kraft, two players who were with the team last season but were unable to compete due to injury. 

• Michelle Olak is coming off a breakout season in 2025-26. The junior forward led the Raiders in scoring at 11 points per game, reaching double figures in 13 straight games from January to February. 

• SU's six-woman 2026-27 recruiting class is expected to make an immediate impact. The class includes guard includes Alainah McKavish, a 2,000-point score and reigning Virginia Class 2 State Player of the Year at Clarke County High School.

• Every PSAC Eastern Division team (including Shippensburg) is scheduled for a home and away contest against PSAC provisional member Lackawanna. The contests do not count in the Conference standings and do not count toward a team's NCAA record.

• This is the first season in which NCAA Regional rankings will be computed by the NCAA Power Index (NPI). In previous seasons, each region had a committee that weighed the criteria and selected the rankings, which were then approved by the national committee.