Cal State San Marcos (exhib.)
10/20/2026 4:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly women’s basketball opens its 2026-27 preseason with a pair of exhibition contests. The Mustangs will play the first of them Wednesday at 6 p.m., hosting the Cougars of Cal State San Marcos.
Cal Poly and Division II Cal State San Marcos have never played an official game, but the Cougars split a two game series with Cal Poly’s new satellite campus Cal Poly Maritime in 2012 and 2013.
Admission is free for all attendees! There is no video stream available but fans can find stats and other links HERE.
Fifth-year head coach Shanele Stires returns eight players from last season, headlined by the interior presence of Nora Perez and Dulci Vail at the forward position. Avery Knapp also saw action last year and earned a full scholarship after two years with the program.
Guards Gabby Robinson and Madison Butcher both battled injuries throughout last season but looked strong in their limited action. Jordan Billing, Katie Peiffer and Ella Skrzyniarz round out the returners with shooting touch behind the arc.
Last season saw Cal Poly play most of their competition close, but were unable to find separating plays in their favor. Two former Mustangs were named to the All-Big West team last season as honorable mentions.
Transfers to the program include Canadian youth national team member Sumer Lee, who joins after three years at Depaul. She was named Ontario Basketball Association's Defensive Player of the Year in her senior season of high school.
Lee is joined in the guard rotation by San Jose State transfer Mecca Alexander, Cal State Fullerton transfer Maddy Tauro and San Diego transfer Ysabella Von Seipler in the backcourt. The lone front court transfer is Dessi Ulmer, who earned All-KJCCC honors in both of her years at Colby Community College.
Bianca Slone highlights the incoming freshman class alongside Lena Most and Atlanta Bass-Sulpizio.
Slone was a McDonald's All-American nominee at Cathedral Catholic in San Diego and was named to the All-State team three times. Most looks to be a defensive presence in her first year with the Mustangs, she played at San Jose Prep in Jacksonville, FL. where she averaged 14 points, eight assists and almost six steals a game. Bass-Sulpizio played at La Jolla Country Day HS and averaged 14 points and five rebounds her senior year.
Cal Poly will play one more exhibition game next week on Oct. 29 before officially tipping off the 2026-27 season at home against UC Merced on Nov. 2.
