SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State women's basketball team will officially kick off the 2026-27 season this week, beginning with a 5:00 p.m. contest at Penn State on Monday, November 2. The Vikings will be opening their 54th season of basketball and their first under new head coach Bob Dunn.
 
A WIN ON MONDAY WOULD…
Mark the first win in the Bob Dunn era…Give the Vikings a win in the season opener in back-to-back years…Mark the first win over Penn State in program history.
 
THE CLEVELAND STATE/PENN STATE SERIES
Monday's game will be just the second meeting between the two teams, and the first since the 1984-85 campaign. Penn State picked up a 107-52 victory during the first meeting, which also took place in University Park.
 
THE BOB DUNN ERA
The 2026-27 campaign will mark the first season under new head coach Bob Dunn, who was named the eighth head coach in program history back in April. Dunn, who served two stints as an assistant coach at Cleveland State (2021-23, 2024-25), was part of the Vikings' 2023 Horizon League Championship team and helped the Vikings make three postseason appearances. In addition, Dunn helped Cleveland State to a program-best 30-5 record during the 2022-23 season.
 
FIVE VIKINGS RETURN FOR 2026-27
Cleveland State returns five players from last season's team that posted a 20-win campaign and advanced to the Great 8 of the 2026 WNIT. Those returners include Queen Ruffin, Hanna Medina Kajevic, Sarah Hurley, Paula Pique, and Sur Lozano. Last season, Hurley and Pique were both part of the starting lineup throughout the year, Hurley averaging 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds, while Pique averaged 3.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
 
…JOINED BY EIGHT TRANSFERS
Head Coach Bob Dunn also added eight transfers to the roster for the 2026-27 season, including Cleveland-area natives Annika Corcoran (Chardon, Ohio) and Alexa Hocevar (Willoughby Hills, Ohio).
 
THE NON-LEAGUE SLATE
Cleveland State will be opening a 12-game non-league slate on Monday, which includes a pair of new opponents in Drake and Defiance. CSU will host its annual Viking Invitational as part of its non-league slate, while also making the trip to Puerto Rico for the third straight season.
 
…VIKES ON THE ROAD
Monday's game at Penn State will be the first of 17 road games for the Vikings during 2026-27, including seven during non-league play. Cleveland State will open the season with four straight road games, marking the first time since the shortened 2020-21 season that the Vikings will start the year with four games away from home.
 
MARIAH WHITE RETURNS TO CSU SIDELINE
Mariah White, a 2021 graduate of Cleveland State, returns to the sideline for the 2026-27 campaign, serving as an assistant coach for the Vikings. White, who was part of Cleveland State's 2021 WBI Championship team, was a two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year and claimed five All-League honors during her career as a Viking. White graduated ranked in the top-15 in the CSU Career Record Book in steals, free throws made and points.
 
A LOOK BACK ON 2025-26
Cleveland State combined for a 26-10 record last season, marking the program's fifth straight 20-win campaign. The Vikings advanced to their seventh straight #HLWBB Semifinal appearance last year, while Cleveland State made its sixth straight postseason trip. The Vikings earned a spot in the WNIT field, and advanced to the Great 8.
 
CATCH THE VIKES ON THE RADIO
Fans can stay up-to-date with all things Viking Basketball throughout the 2026-27 season by tuning in to the Cleveland State Basketball Coaches Show. The seasonal show will air eight times throughout the year, and can be heard from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on 99.1 FM and will feature a variety of coaches, student-athletes and special guests.
 
UP NEXT
Cleveland State will continue its four-game roadswing to begin the 2026-27 campaign on Thursday, November 5, traveling to Bowling Green for a 7:00 p.m. contest.