CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State women's basketball team will open the 2025-26 season with an exhibition contest on Wednesday, October 29, hosting Findlay in the Wolstein Center. Wednesday's exhibition game is slated for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.
 
The Vikings enter the 2025-26 campaign coming off four straight 20-win seasons, most recently posting a 27-10 record last year which culminated with an appearance in the WNIT Fab 4.
 
Among Cleveland State's returners is grad student Colbi Maples, who was selected as the Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year earlier this month. Maples became the second Viking all-time to earn the recognition more than once after also being named the Preseason Player of the Year prior to the 2024-25 campaign.
 
In addition, the Vikings were also selected fourth in the #HLWBB Preseason Poll, picking up 87 points and one first place vote.
 
The Vikings will be under the direction of eighth-year head coach Chris Kielsmeier, who currently owns a 568-186 career record, including 150+ wins during his tenure at Cleveland State, and has guided the Vikings to five straight postseason appearances.
 
Findlay enters Wednesday's contest coming off a 20-10 2024-25 campaign, including a 13-7 record in G-MAC play. Earlier this month the Oilers were picked to finish fourth in the G-MAC Preseason Poll.
 
The Vikings will officially kickoff the 2025-26 season on Monday, November 3 when they host Chicago State for a 7:00 p.m. contest inside the Wolstein Center. This will be the first of 11 non-league games for the Vikings this year, including seven home contests.