Emporia State Women’s Basketball Opens Season at MIAA-GAC Challenge

On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Emporia State University Athletics announced that the Lady Hornets basketball team will open its 53rd season of intercollegiate competition on Friday, November 12, 2026, at the MIAA-GAC Challenge in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

The team travels to Bill Vining Arena to face Ouachita Baptist on November 12, followed by a matchup against Henderson State on Saturday, November 13, 2026. Emporia State enters the season opener holding an all-time record of 40-12 in season-opening games.

Last season, the Lady Hornets finished with a 15-15 overall record and went 8-11 in the MIAA, securing a top-25 win and a first-round MIAA Tournament victory, according to Emporia State University Athletics records. The squad enters the new campaign ranked ninth in the MIAA Preseason Media Poll and tenth in the coaches poll.

Head coach MJ Baker enters her second season leading the program, carrying a 15-15 record at Emporia State and a 66-61 record in her fifth year as a four-year collegiate head coach, as reported by Emporia State University Athletics. Baker previously spent eight seasons at Eastern Florida State College, where she compiled a 183-58 record.

Emporia State leads its all-time series against Ouachita Baptist 1-0. The sole prior meeting took place on November 16, 2001, in Pensacola, Florida, where the Lady Hornets secured a 90-85 victory in double overtime, as documented by Emporia State University Athletics. Ouachita Baptist enters the weekend at 0-1 following a 70-69 loss to Mississippi Christian on Monday night, after finishing last season 14-13 overall and 11-11 in the GAC.

Against Henderson State, Emporia State holds a 6-1 all-time series advantage. The Reddies won the most recent encounter 80-67 on November 10, 2023, overcoming a halftime deficit by scoring 51 points in the second half, according to Emporia State University Athletics data. Henderson State finished last season 17-10 overall and 13-9 in the GAC, with First-Team All-GAC performer Natalie Cardenas returning after averaging 18.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Prior to departing for Arkansas, Emporia State welcomed nearly 500 fans to White Auditorium for its annual Late Night at White event, which featured scrimmages and team introductions, according to BVM Sports. During the women’s scrimmage at the event, the White squad defeated the Black squad 31-29, led by 19 points from Lexsey DeWitt, who made five three-pointers, and 10 points from Addie Kirmer, as reported by BVM Sports.

Following the MIAA-GAC Challenge in Arkansas, the Lady Hornets return to Kansas for their home opener against Angelo State on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at W.L. White Auditorium, according to Emporia State University Athletics. The contest is scheduled as part of a School Day doubleheader starting at 12:00 p.m., preceding the Emporia State men’s basketball game against Kansas Christian.