ST. PAUL, Minn. - After a last-place finish in 2025-26, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference women's basketball coaches expect improvement from the University of Northwestern in 2026-27. In Wednesday's UMAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll and Preview, the revamped Eagles were picked to finish fifth out of the seven teams with 17 points in the poll.

Click here to see the full UMAC preview.

Aaron Kahl begins his 17th season with half of his 22-woman roster made up of returners, and the other half newcomers. Leading the way for the returners is Ella Frazier (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi), who was UNW's lone All-Conference selection last season, earning Honorable Mention recognition with 10.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. The sophomore guard was also named NCCAA First Team All-Region as a freshman. Another NCCAA All-Region performer from a year ago is Carli (Elrod) Mattes, who was named to the Second Team after contributing 8.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game in her return to basketball, after a track and field career at Division I Liberty University. Mattes's tenacity and athleticism on the wing will be beneficial on both sides of the floor for Northwestern this winter. Also back for a second year in the system is Lydia Schmitter (Eagan, Minn./United Christian Academy), who was UNW's leading scorer and rebounder last season at 14.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Schmitter battled injuries throughout her freshman season, missing 14 games, which included most of the conference season. The sophomore is healthy and ready to go for year two.

Among the Eagles' newcomers is Joanna Talso (Ramsey, Minn./Elk River), a forward from Elk River High School. The freshman was an All-Conference performer at Elk River, as well as a 1,000-point scorer and a Miss Basketball nominee. Another notable rookie in purple this season is Lauren Grimm (Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer), a two-time All-Conference selection and 1,000-point scorer at Watertown-Mayer High School. Northwestern has taken in several transfers as well, including Lucie Habas (Rice Lake, Wis./Rice Lake) and Ava Gavi (Parker, Colo./Legend), sophomores who will contend for minutes this season. Other returnees from last year's rotation include Katelyn Lindberg (Clearwater, Minn./Monticello), Marin Blom (Farmington, Minn./Farmington), Karley Loven (Swanville, Minn./Swanville) and Brenna Vogel (New Prague, Minn./South Metro).

The Eagles will open their season at home on Saturday, November 7th, with a 4:00 PM game against Macalester.

2026-27 UMAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

Place	School	Points
1	UW-Superior (4)	32
1	Bethany Lutheran (3)	32
3	Minnesota Morris	29
4	Martin Luther	18
5	Northwestern	17
6	Crown	11
7	North Central	8