By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's basketball team had three players selected to the 2025-26 GNAC Preseason All-Conference team.
Senior forward Aspen Garrison and junior guards Libby Stump and Demi Dykstra were voted to the 15-player preseason all-conference team. WWU's three selections tied for the most among the 10 conference schools with Central Washington.
The Vikings were also picked to finish first in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll, edging CWU by one point with 90 points. WWU gathered five first-place votes, with the Wildcats earning four first-place votes.
Stump was impacted by injuries in her first season at WWU after transferring from the University of Montana. She was limited to 11 games, but was effective her on-court minutes averaging 8.5 points, 21 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. The Lynden Christian product is a projected starter for the 2025-26 season.
"Libby has a great desire and ability to score. Her body is finally ready to go this year after a series of injuries, and we expect great things out of her," said WWU Head Coach Carmen Dolfo. "She has a passion for the game, works incredibly hard and will be very impactful for us."
Garrison returns to the court this season after redshirting last season. In 31 games during the 2023-24 season she started all 31 games averaging 9.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49.6-percent. Garrison is the most experienced Viking with 93 collegiate games and 42 starts under her belt heading into her senior season.
"Aspen brings a lot of passion to our team and has a good understanding of the game," said Dolfo. "She will be a great presence in the middle for us as she takes pride in both her offense and defense. It's great to have her back."
Dykstra capped her sophomore season by earning GNAC Championships all-tournament recognition, helping the Vikings reach the semifinal round. In her first season as a starter, the guard averaged 11.6 points per game and ranked 13th in the conference with 3.0 assists per game. Reaching double figures in 15 of 26 contests last year and 20 points on three occasions, Dykstra proved an effective scorer in addition to her defensive presence on the floor. Overall in two seasons at WWU, Dykstra has played in 57 games with 26 starts, averaging 7.1 points per game.
2025-26 GNAC PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Here is a look at the GNAC Preseason All-Conference team as voted on by the 10 head coaches. Central Washington senior guard Asher Cai was voted the GNAC Preseason Player of the Year.
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GNAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 2025-26 PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
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Name
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School
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Pos
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Ht
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Yr
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Hometown (Previous School)
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Elaina Mack
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Alaska Anchorage
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G
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5-8
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Sr.
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King Cove, AK (King Cove)
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Asher Cai
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Central Washington
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G
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5-9
|
Sr.
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Colfax, WA (Colfax)
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Annalee Coronado
|
Central Washington
|
G
|
5-9
|
Jr.
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Othello, WA (Othello)
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|
Capri Sims
|
Central Washington
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F
|
6-0
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Jr.
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Post Falls, ID (Post Falls)
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Layla Baumann
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Montana State Billings
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G
|
5-8
|
Jr.
|
Billings, MT (Billings West)
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|
Kaitlin Grossman
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Montana State Billings
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F
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5-11
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Sr.
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Billings, MT (Billings West)
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Kendall Clark
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Northwest Nazarene
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G/F
|
5-10
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Jr.
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Melba, ID (Melba)
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Chloe Deharo
|
Northwest Nazarene
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G
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5-9
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So.
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Spokane, WA (West Valley)
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Kiana Rios
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Saint Martin's
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G
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5-9
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Sr.
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Warden, WA (Warden)
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Jada Travis
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Saint Martin's
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G
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5-5
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So.
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Tacoma, WA (Bellarmine Prep)
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Layne Kearns
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Seattle Pacific
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G
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5-7
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Jr.
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Hamilton, MT (Hamilton)
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Rachel Loukes
|
Simon Fraser
|
G
|
5-10
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Jr.
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Prince George, BC (College Heights)
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Demi Dykstra
|
Western Washington
|
G
|
5-9
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Jr.
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Lynden, WA (Lynden Christian)
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Aspen Garrison
|
Western Washington
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F
|
6-3
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Sr.
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Bellingham, WA (Saint Mary's)
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Libby Stump
|
Western Washington
|
G
|
5-8
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Jr.
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Ferndale, WA (Montana)
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SEASON OPENER AROUND THE CORNER
WWU opens its season at the DII Canadian Tip-Off Classic in Langley, B.C. on Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The Vikings will also play non-conference tournaments in Seattle (Nov. 14-15), Irvine, California (Nov. 21-22), Las Vegas (Dec. 19-20) and at home in Bellingham, Wash. (Nov. 28-29) for the Lynda Goodrich Classic.
2025-26 WWU BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
The complete schedules for the 2025-26 WWU women's basketball team can be viewed by clicking on the link below. Season tickets can be reserved at WWUVikings.com/Tickets. Single-game tickets are available for all games at the Carver Gym Box Office one hour prior to tip-off for each game or by the online box office.
