ARCATA, Calif. - The Cal Poly Humboldt women's basketball team will begin its 2026-27 campaign Tuesday, Nov. 10, when the Lumberjacks travel to Lacey, Washington, to face Saint Martin's. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Marcus Pavilion.

Tuesday's season opener begins a five-game road stretch for Humboldt before the Lumberjacks make their home debut against Biola on Nov. 27.

With the start of the 2026-27 campaign approaching, here is a look at this season's Lumberjacks.

SEASON NOTES

Head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson begins her 11th season leading the Humboldt women's basketball program.

The Lumberjacks are coming off a 20-9 season that included an 18-4 record in CCAA play. Humboldt tied for second in the conference standings and earned a first-round bye in the CCAA Tournament before advancing to the semifinals.

Humboldt averaged 69.5 points per game last season while holding opponents to 63 points. The Lumberjacks forced 20.7 turnovers per contest and averaged 11.7 steals and 3.9 blocks.

The Lumberjacks were selected fourth in the 2026-27 CCAA Preseason Coaches Poll with 140 points.

The 13-player roster features five returners and eight newcomers. Humboldt returns three All-CCAA honorees in Shade Satica, Sienna Cherwinski and Riley Sanz while adding experience through the transfer ranks.

Bento-Jackson is joined on the coaching staff by assistant coach Guillermo Blas Jr.

BACKCOURT

Satica returns after earning CCAA Newcomer of the Year, CCAA Defensive Player of the Year and All-CCAA First Team honors last season.

The Susanville local averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.8 steals per game. Satica led the Lumberjacks with 109 steals and made 40 three-pointers while starting 28 of 29 games.

Cherwinski earned All-CCAA Honorable Mention recognition after averaging 9.8 points per game and starting all 29 contests. She led Humboldt with 51 made three-pointers and shot 35.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Sanz also received All-CCAA Honorable Mention honors after averaging 7.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Kya Kanoho returns after contributing 6.1 points per contest and appearing in all 29 games.

Humboldt added Micah Wicks, Hailey Lakey, Kaylee Lawson, Angelina Kohlwaies, Gabby Brooks and Alyssa Kem to a deep group of guards. The six newcomers bring experience from the NCAA Division II and community college levels.

FRONTCOURT

Shayla Kantarevic returns to provide experience in the frontcourt after appearing in five games last season.

The Lumberjacks added Mia DiPuccio and Kaitlyn Beall to strengthen the interior. DiPuccio joins Humboldt after playing at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, while Beall arrives from CCAA opponent Cal State San Marcos.

DiPuccio and Beall are both listed at 6 feet, giving Humboldt additional size around the basket.

FACING SAINT MARTIN'S

Saint Martin's finished the 2025-26 season with an 18-10 overall record and a 14-4 mark in GNAC play.

The Saints averaged 64.2 points per game while limiting opponents to 55.5 points. Saint Martin's also averaged 14.8 assists and nine steals per contest.

Tuesday's matchup will serve as the regular-season opener for both programs. Saint Martin's played two exhibitions before its meeting with Humboldt, including an Oct. 30 home contest against Olympic College and a Nov. 2 matchup at Idaho.

HOW TO TUNE IN

The game will be streamed live on the GNAC Network, with live stats available through Saint Martin's Athletics.

UP NEXT

Humboldt will continue its road swing at the CCAA/GNAC Crossover in Nampa, Idaho.

The Lumberjacks will face Central Washington on Friday, Nov. 13, at 4:15 p.m. before meeting host Northwest Nazarene on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m.

Humboldt's home opener is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 27, against Biola at 7 p.m. inside Lumberjack Arena.

For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt women's basketball, visit humboldtathletics.com, download the Lumberjacks' mobile app on Apple iOS or Google Android, and follow the Lumberjacks on Instagram, Twitter/X and Facebook.

Instagram: @humboldt.athletics
Twitter/X: @HumboldtJacks
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