The Pirates for Pirates Challenge is happening now, and this is your opportunity to give back with your support of Women's Basketball!

We are just a month out from our first game of the season, a road game at Concordia, followed by our home opener on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 4:00 p.m., against UMHB. Hope to see you at some games this season! Save the date for our Alumni Weekend, January 16-17. More details to come.

Last season was one for the books, with the most wins (13) since the 2017-18 season, a conference tournament appearance, and guard Neela Castillo was named rookie of the year and earned Second Team All-SAA honors. Forward Trinity Benitez and guard Adrianna McCoy received All-SAA Honorable Mention, and guard Kylee Symons rounded out the group by being selected to the SAA All-Sportsmanship Team.

We bring a lot of depth and experience back from last year's squad while adding seven talented first-years to our group. We have a couple of very strong non-conference matchups. Personally, I am thrilled to bring the team to Randolph-Macon to play in their 2026 Tip-off Classic in Ashland, Virginia, Nov. 20-21. We will see two high-caliber ODAC teams, and I get to coach against my former boss and mentor. This will be a high-quality tournament as we prepare for the SAA schedule, starting in December. The goal is always to build and elevate the program every year, and excited to see what this group of young women will accomplish.

Our roster has grown to 18 athletes, up from previous years, which increases our overall expenses. We will have five flights this season, including conference travel to Maryville, TN. The Tip-off Classic in Virginia will be a completely fundraised trip, and all athletes will be traveling. With our return to SCAC in 2026-27, I want to continue offering travel experiences and see some competition both out of state and conference. Next season, we'll be competing in the Daytona Beach Shootout in Daytona Beach, Florida, for a pre-season tournament. These opportunities grow and develop the program while increasing our national recognition.

We truly need your support to continue to offer an exceptional experience for our athletes. Our goal this year is to have 60 donors during the Pirates for Pirates Challenge. If we reach our goal, I'm lowering the goals and letting  every member of the team have a chance at dunking on me. Mark Barre and Laura Torres-Barre are also offering a generous matching gift opportunity to double your impact, giving $1 for $1, up to $1,000!

Gifts of all sizes collectively impact our program, elevate the experience each athlete receives, and get us closer to the dunk content. Make your gift today to support Women's Basketball. Please encourage friends and family to join you during this time in support of our program!

Thank you and Go Pirates!

Caitlin Kriesel-Bigler
Head Women's Basketball Coach