With 66 combined wins and back-to-back division titles within the last three seasons, the University of Windsor's female basketball team enters the 2026-27 season excited about their odds of winning a sixth national championship.
"I think this year, we have our best program since we won our five consecutive national titles," said head coach Chantal Vallée. "I've coached long enough to know that these women can do it, and I'm putting my expectations high because I want us to have fun in the process of trying to achieve it."
NOTABLE RETURNING PLAYERS
Kali Grootenboer
Controlling the paint yet again, the 6-foot-5 superstar had a historic 2025-26 season in blue and gold, averaging 16.1 points and 11.3 rebounds per game while shooting 55.2% from the field and adding 54 blocks en route to OUA First-Team All-Star honours. She set single-season records in rebounds (249) and blocks (54) for the team last year.
Leah Tate
The hometown Odette School of Business senior scored 55 three pointers, 57 rebounds, a team-high 44 steals, and 20 assists last season while averaging 14.4 points and 27.4 minutes per game. And highlighted by 15 field goals en route to being named an OUA Athlete of the Week last November, her 36-point showing at Carleton shows how high her upside truly is.
"Leah Tate is one of the best shooting guards in the country," Vallée believes.
Jade Hunte
The Montreal, Quebec native and visual arts major was a terrific support piece off the bench for Vallée and co. last season, shooting 40.2% from the field and 31.4% from three across 22 regular season games. The third-year player also added 104 rebounds, 36 assists, and 29 steals during a strong sophomore surge.
NEW PLAYERS
Tito Akinnusi
After a four-year career with Brock University, the Kleinburg native is overjoyed to become a Lancer this season after scoring nearly 500 points with the Badgers. Akinnusi's best season in St. Catharines included scoring 14.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game across 21 contests while compiling a 51.1% shooting success rate from the field.
"She's one of the best scorers in the country, so you'll hear her name a lot," said Vallée.
Helena Lasic
The University of Pennsylvania graduate and former four-star recruit is the perfect blend between a strong culture setter and a versatile athlete for Vallée, earning Teammate of the Year honours and appearing in 21 games for the Quakers. The 6-foot-3 forward and sport management student has also participated in camps for Team Canada, Team Ontario, and Steph Curry.
Mackenzie Marenchin
The hometown guard played in 23 NCAA Division I games with Idaho State, notably shooting 40% in three-point range and 33% from the field in under eight minutes per game. She has also represented Team Ontario twice at the U17 Canadian National Championships and was named a BioSteel All-Canadian in 2023.
Hometown guards Maysa Arabi and Leah Shannon round out the 2026 recruiting class as the two high school standouts.
2025-26 STAT LEADERS
Points per game: Kali Grootenboer - 16.1
Assists per game: Teighan Stoukas - 2.2
Rebounds per game: Kali Grootenboer - 11.3
Blocks per game: Kali Grootenboer - 2.5 (1st OUA)
Steals per game: Leah Tate - 2.3
KEY MATCHUPS
October 30 vs York
Following the Calgary Cup and the Darcel Wright Memorial Tournament in early October, these Lancers open their home slate versus a Lions side that had a four-win improvement against OUA competition during the regular season last year under the guidance of Christa Eniojukan.
November 20 vs Laurier
Windsor owns a 24-2 record against the Golden Hawks since February 13, 2010, highlighted by a 27-point victory at the Toldo Lancer Centre in January; furthermore, the Lancers have not lost to Laurier on home court since February 6, 2010–the same year Instagram and the iPad launched.
November 28 vs Western
Windsor is 7-1 in their latest eight showings against their forever highway rivals, led by a 79-69 win at home and a 93-74 victory at Alumni Hall last season. This game is also their final match before Christmas, so make sure you come out and support these incredible women!
January 30 vs Guelph
The Lancers close out their regular season home slate versus a Gryphons side that has finished second in the OUA West Division four times in as many years. Guelph has won 16+ conference games three times since 2022-23 and should give Vallée's squad another gruelling test.
Tickets are available for purchase at golancers.ca/tickets, or you can watch online at oua.tv.
