The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team is set to begin its 2025-26 season with an away game against Regis University on Friday, November 15. The contest will take place at the Regis Fieldhouse in Denver, Colorado, starting at 5 p.m. Mountain Time.
The Greyhounds are coming off a strong 2024-25 season, finishing with a 21-10 overall record and going 15-7 in conference play. The team reached the South-Central Regional semifinals and achieved its first-ever NCAA Tournament win by defeating fourth-seeded Colorado Mesa 56-52.
In the Lone Star Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Poll for the upcoming season, Eastern New Mexico was projected to finish fifth. The poll awarded them 657 points and two first-place votes from coaches, sports information directors, and media members.
"We're excited to get the season underway and see what this team can accomplish," said head coach Blake Huber, who is entering his third year leading the program. "Last year's success has raised the bar for our program, but this group has embraced those expectations. We've had a great preseason, and I believe we have the right mix of returning talent and new additions to compete at a high level again this year."
Ten players return from last year's roster. Senior Nataya Lockett leads this group after being named a preseason player-to-watch following her All-LSC Third Team selection last season. Lockett averaged 10.8 points and two assists per game while shooting 43.3% from the field.
Other returning contributors include Julieta Ceja (7.2 points per game, .422 shooting percentage), Tatiana Platonova (5.5 points per game, .379 three-point percentage), and Jaz Salon (5.5 points per game, .400 shooting percentage).
The team also added six transfers: Caela Tighe (Iowa Western CC), Aaliyah Smith (Wabash Valley CC), Chloe Dallas (Kansas City), Toyah Montgomery (Midland CC), Shay Moseberry (West Virginia), and Mekhila Brown (Chipola CC).
Friday's matchup marks the third meeting between Eastern New Mexico and Regis University; each team has one win in their previous encounters. The Greyhounds won their last meeting in 2021 with a score of 71-59.
Regis University begins its season under new head coach Jason Kohler. The Rangers were seeded sixth in last year's RMAC tournament and bring back senior guard Mary Crossland (2.9 points per game) and senior forward Jessica Bollwahn (5.7 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game).
After facing Regis, Eastern New Mexico will stay in Colorado for another matchup against Adams State.
