SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State women's basketball team will officially kick off the 2025-26 season this week, hosting Chicago State for a 7:00 p.m. contest on Monday, November 3. The Vikings will be opening their 53rd season of basketball and their eighth under head coach Chris Kielsmeier.
 
2025 WNIT FAB 4 RECOGNITION
Prior to Monday's game, the Vikings will be unveiling their 2025-26 WNIT Fab 4 banner, recognizing the fifth straight postseason appearance for the Vikings. Last year, Cleveland State picked up wins over Coppin State, Duquesne and Purdue Fort Wayne en route to their Fab 4 appearance, marking the program's third semifinal trip in postseason play.
 
A WIN ON MONDAY WOULD…
Put Cleveland State at 3-5 in season openers under head coach Chris Kielsmeier…Mark the sixth straight win at home dating back to last season…Improve the Vikings to 10-2 against Chicago State all-time.
 
THE CLEVELAND STATE/CHICAGO STATE SERIES
Monday's game will be the 12th meeting between the two teams, with Cleveland State owning a 9-2 advantage in the all-time series. Last season, the Vikings earned a 111-67 victory over the Cougars, marking the team's first win of the 2024-25 campaign.
 
NEW LOOK VIKINGS
This year's edition of the Vikings features just three returners from last year's team - Colbi Maples, Macey Fegan and Sarah Hurley - while they are joined by 11 newcomers. This newcomer group includes nine transfers and two true freshmen. Despite having 11 newcomers on the roster, this group has a vast amount of collegiate experience, with all nine of the newcomers having started at least one game at their previous institutions.
 
CLEVELAND STATE SELECTED FOURTH IN #HLWBB PRESEASON POLL
Last month, Cleveland State was selected to finish fourth in the #HLWBB Preseason Poll, picking up 87 points and one first place vote. This marks the fourth straight year that the Vikings have been picked to finish in the top-four of the Horizon League.
 
MAPLES NAMED #HLWBB PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
In addition to the preseason poll, the Horizon League also announced their preseason all-league teams, with Colbi Maples earning Preseason Player of the Year honors. Maples, who also earned the honor prior to last season, became just the second Viking all-time to earn the recognition more than once. Maples also earned a spot on the Preseason All-League First Team.
 
…MAPLES SET FOR RETURN
After missing the final 34 games during 2024-25 due to a season-ending injury, Colbi Maples is set to make her return to the court in Monday's season opener against Chicago State. Maples, who was the 2023-24 Horizon League Player of the Year, averaged 16.6 points, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game during her last full season with the Vikings. Maples currently stands at 1,071 career points, including 580 that she recorded during her first season at CSU.
 
THE NON-LEAGUE SLATE
Cleveland State will be opening an 11-game non-league slate on Monday, with seven of them coming at home. The Vikings will face two new opponents during non-league play in Northwestern and Pittsburgh-Johnstown, while Cleveland State will be making a trip to California and returning to Puerto Rico during the first part of the 2025-26 season.
 
HOME-SWEET-HOME
Monday's game against Chicago State will be the first of 17 home games for the Vikings this season. Over the last three seasons, the Vikings have combined for a 47-3 reord when playing at home, including a perfect 17-0 record during the 2023-24 campaign. Once again, the Vikings will be playing a limited number of games in Woodling Gymnasium, hosting four total games in their alternate venue this season.
 
HEAD COACH CHRIS KIELSMEIER
The Vikings will be under the direction of eighth-year head coach Chris Kielsmeier, who enters the 2025-26 campaign with a career head coaching record of 568-186. At Cleveland State, Kielsmeier owns a record of 152-70, with his 150th victory as a Viking coming in a 92-61 decision over Detroit Mercy last season. Under his guidance, Cleveland State has posted five 20-win seasons, including a program-record 30 wins during the 2023-24 campaign.
 
A LOOK BACK AT 2024-25
Cleveland State combined for a 27-10 record last season, marking the program's fourth straight 20-win campaign and fifth total under Chris Kielsmeier. The Vikings advanced to their sixth straight #HLWBB Semifinal appearance last year, while Cleveland State made its fifth straight postseason trip. The Vikings earned a spot in the WNIT field, and advanced to the Fab 4, marking the third postseason semifinal appearance in program history.
 
CLEVELAND STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RADIO SHOW RETURNS
Fans can stay up-to-date with all things Viking Basketball throughout the 2025-26 season by tuning in to the Cleveland State Women's Basketball Radio Show. The weekly show will air on Monday nights beginning at 6:00 p.m. on 99.1 FM and will feature a variety of coaches, student-athletes and members of the CSU community.
 
UP NEXT
Cleveland State will hit the road for the first time during the 2025-26 campaign, traveling to California for a matchup against Cal State Fullerton on Sunday, November 9.