Women's Basketball | 10/15/2026 12:53:00 PM
BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team was picked to finish 15th of 16 schools in the NSIC Preseason Women's Basketball Coaches Poll released Thursday, October 15 by the conference office.
Minnesota Crookston had 38 overall points, 16 points ahead of Bemidji State University, and three points behind Wayne State College.
The Golden Eagles are in their fourth season under Head Coach Natalie Moynihan. Moynihan's squad will have a new look in 2026-27. The Golden Eagles graduate the NSIC's all-time leading scorer Emma Miller, but have a great mix of returning talent and newcomers for the season. The Golden Eagles are guided by Rayna Klejeski (Sr., F, Barnum, Minn.), who had a break-out season in 2025-26. Klejeski averaged 12.5 points and 6.1 boards per game as a junior for Minnesota Crookston. Klejeski is the NSIC Player to Watch for Minnesota Crookston. Klejeski shot 51.8 percent from the field, and 82.6 percent from the stripe, as a junior.
"Rayna took a huge jump for us last year becoming our second leading scorer (12.6PPG) and leading rebounder (6.1RBG)," Moynihan stated. "She has become a huge offensive force for us in the paint and has only gotten better over the summer. I am excited to see what Rayna brings to our team this season both on and off the court!"
Additionally, the Golden Eagles return starters Anna Westby (So., F, Eveleth, Minn.), and Halle Winjum (Jr., G, Crookston, Minn.) to the fray. Westby notched 10.2 points and 5.4 boards per game as a freshman, while WInjum averaged 3.8 points and 3.3 rebounds. The Golden Eagles also return Tayden Hanks (Sr., F, Los Lunas, N.M.), Brynlea Mahlen (Jr., G, Fosston, Minn.), and Taylor Dirkes (So., G, Osakis, Minn.), who all saw time in 2025-26. Caleigh Adams (Jr., F, Bakersfield, Calif.) was with the team, but did not play due to injury.
The Golden Eagles also have a talented group of newcomers, who will look to contribute this season including: Maija Lamppa (Fr., G, Eveleth, Minn.), Lexi Lamppa (Fr., G, Eveleth, Minn.), Lexi Mahlen (Fr., F/C, Fosston, Minn.), Chloe Boll (Fr., G, Crookston, Minn.), Cassie Ririnui (Jr., F/C, Tauranga, New Zealand), Maggie Hydes (Fr., G/F, Louisville, Ky.), and Hanna Bultman (Fr., F, Oak Creek, Wis.). Minnesota Crookston opens the season Friday, November 13 at the University of Nebraska Kearney in Kearney, Neb.
"This year's team is half returners and half newcomers creating a new identity for our program," Moynihan stated. "Their willingness to learn and the passion that they show up with every day is contagious and they are just such a fun group to be around. We have a lot of room to grow but the sky is the limit for this bunch and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together!"
Minnesota State University was picked to win the league with six first-place votes and 215 points. Concordia University-St. Paul was second with four first-place votes and 194 points. The University of Mary was picked to win the North Division with 45 points and four first-place votes. Minnesota Crookston was selected seventh in the North Division. Minnesota State was picked to win the South Division.
UMary's Allison Undlin was named the NSIC Preseason North Division Player of the Year, while Concordia-St. Paul's Lauren Wilson was selected as the NSIC Preseason South Division Player of the Year.
