FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 23, 2025) – The 2025-26 Big Sky Women’s Basketball Preseason Team has been revealed, the conference office announced on Thursday. Sacramento State’s Benthe Versteeg highlights the team, earning Preseason MVP honors.
Versteeg represents one of five schools through the six-member Preseason All-Conference Team.
Versteeg Earns Preseason MVP Honors
Versteeg enters her redshirt senior season as one of the league’s most impactful returners, collecting All-Big Sky First Team honors a season ago.
In her 2024-25 campaign, she led the conference in assists with 208, nearly 40 more than anyone else in the Big Sky. The Hornet also ranked Top-10 in the conference in multiple categories:
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Scoring (10th)
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Total points (8th)
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Field goals made (7th)
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Assist-to-turnover ratio (7th)
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Steals (8th)
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Minutes played (2nd)
Her defensive efforts have earned her a spot on the Big Sky All-Defensive Team twice in as many years.
Montana Places Two on Preseason Team
The Lady Griz of Montana are the only school represented twice on the Preseason All-Conference Team, with Mack Konig and Avery Waddington earning honors.
The duo led the team a season ago as Montana’s two leading scorers, both averaging over 10 points per game. The Lady Griz enter the first full season under head coach Nate Harris, who guided the team to a championship appearance in Boise to close out the 2024-25 season.
Montana State’s Chirrick Looks to Build on Historic Season
Taylee Chirrick and the Montana State Bobcats will look to defend their regular season title and Big Sky tournament crown after one of the most historic seasons in program history.
Chirrick played a crucial role in helping the Bobcats to the first 30-win season in Big Sky Women’s Basketball history, which ended in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
As a true freshman, Chirrick earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, racking up 113 steals—the most in the Big Sky and sixth-most in the nation.
Grossman Represents Eastern Washington
Kourtney Grossman of Eastern Washington also earns a spot on the Preseason All-Conference Team.
The Billings, Mont. native is coming off a stellar freshman campaign where she averaged a double-double, earning Freshman of the Year honors. Grossman recorded 14 double-doubles in 30 games and closed out her rookie year with All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition.
Hassmann Leads the Way for Idaho
Hope Hassmann of Idaho rounds out the Preseason All-Conference Team.
Hassmann led the Vandals to a strong first season under head coach Arthur Moreira, helping the program reach the 18-win mark. She topped the Big Sky in free throw percentage (92.3%) and also led the team in three-pointers (42) and assists (105).
In her first year in the league, Hassmann’s impact earned her All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition.
Montana State Picked as Preseason Favorite
Yesterday, it was announced that Montana State is the league’s preseason favorite, topping both the Coaches’ and Media Polls. Montana and Idaho were picked to finish second and third, respectively.
2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships
The 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships will take place March 7–11 in Boise, Idaho, inside Idaho Central Arena.
For more details, visit StarchMadness.com.