The Rockhurst women's basketball team opens its 2026-27 season Monday (Nov. 9) on the road against Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

The Hawks enter the new campaign with a revamped roster featuring a combination of returning experience and several transfers looking to make an immediate impact. Head coach Larry Park enters his 18th season leading the program as Rockhurst looks to improve upon last season's results.

Rockhurst finished the 2025-26 season with a 7-19 overall record and a 3-17 mark in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Hawks averaged 59.9 points per game while recording 10.2 steals and 3.7 blocks per contest. Defensively, Rockhurst forced an average of 20.1 turnovers per game, an area the team will look to continue building upon this season.

The Hawks return several players with valuable collegiate experience, including Keeley Steele, Aubrey Treadwell and Alivia McCulla.

Steele leads the returning group after averaging 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last season. She appeared in all 26 games, making 21 starts, while finishing with 39 steals and connecting on 29 three-pointers. Treadwell appeared in 23 games with 18 starts, averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest. She also contributed 42 assists and 26 steals during the season. McCulla provides experience in the frontcourt after appearing in 24 games with 17 starts last year. She averaged 3.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while recording 27 blocked shots.

Rockhurst welcomes several transfers to this year's roster, highlighted by juniors Mufaro Mapengo, Amaya Gallegos and Jaden Wilson.

Mapengo joins the Hawks after spending two seasons at Collin College, where she appeared in 60 games with 19 starts. The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 5.1 points per game over her two seasons while shooting 42.9 percent from the field. Gallegos arrives at Rockhurst after playing at Kansas City Kansas CC and Rogers State. The 5-foot-7 guard averaged 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game during her sophomore season at Kansas City Kansas Community College while shooting 41.1 percent from the field. Wilson adds depth to the Hawks' frontcourt after spending two seasons at Hutchinson. The 5-foot-10 forward appeared in 67 career games, making 14 starts, while scoring 224 points and shooting 50.3 percent from the field. During the 2025-26 season, Wilson appeared in 36 games with 14 starts and scored 136 points.

Rockhurst was selected to finish 13th in the GLVC Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving 50 points and placing ahead of Lincoln and William Jewell. Maryville was picked as the conference favorite, followed by Missouri-St. Louis and Drury.

Following Monday's season opener at Newman, the Hawks will return to Kansas City for their home opener against Hannibal-LaGrange University on Saturday (Nov. 14) at 5:15 p.m. inside Mason-Halpin Field House.

Rockhurst will begin GLVC play on Monday (Nov. 30) traveling to Bolivar, Missouri, to face Southwest Baptist.

With an experienced roster, several new additions and returning players looking to take another step forward, the Hawks will look to establish momentum early in the 2026-27 campaign.