SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Basketball team is set to tip off their season this upcoming week with three games. The Gauchos will be featured against Cal State Monterey Bay, Seattle University, and UCLA.
The Gauchos are looking to start the season off on a high, with the addition of seven new players. Head Coach Renee Jimenez also hopes to leave her mark on the program as she enters her second season as head coach. The team features six international players and plans to have their new identity translate to wins this upcoming the season.
Gaucho Scope
The Gauchos' very own Skylar Burke was named to the All-Big West Preseason team. The senior is no stranger to Big West awards; the former Hustle Player of the Year, All Defensive Team, and All- Conference Team Honorable Mention player is looking to make an impact in her Final season. Santa Barbara is coming off a successful 18-13 season last winter with a strong 12-8 conference record. The Gauchos are looking to defend their home court and declare themselves as a powerhouse in the upcoming Big West season.
Outlook On the Otters
In what will be the teams' first ever meeting, CSU Monterey Bay will travel down to Isla Vista to take on the Gauchos in the season opener on Nov. 3. The Division two team is looking to bounce back after a rough season last year finishing with a 3-25 record.
Scouting the Bruins
The Gauchos hit the road on Nov. 6 to take on No. 3 UCLA Bruins. The Bruins look to build off their immense success last season, finishing with a 34-3 record. The former Big Ten champions and Final Four competitors will be led by graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens who was just named to the 2026 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award preseason top 20 watch list.
Eyeing the Red Hawks
Embarking on their first season in the West Coast Conference, Seattle U has a lot to prove following a disappointing campaign last season finishing with a 4-26 overall record. The Gauchos will travel to Seattle on Nov. 9th to face the Redhawks in a repeat of last year's showdown which held the Gauchos victorious in a 72-62 defeat. For the Redhawks, all eyes are on veteran guard Ella Brubaker who makes her return to her home state for her last season. Following a great year at Pepperdine, the Washington native hopes to bring success back to the Seattle program.
