The Women’s Divisions of the 2026 Basketball Travelers will tip off Thursday, with four games at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The women’s tournament has expanded to twelve teams competing in three divisions. Each team will play two matches over the three-day event.
Here is a snapshot of all twelve participating teams.
Harbor Division
The Elon University Phoenix is coming off an average 2024-2025 campaign, having won just as many games as they lost, 15. The Phoenix competes in the Coastal Athletic Association and their head coach is Charlotte Smith. Key players to watch are sophomore forward LaNae Corbett, graduate student forward Quinzia Fullmore, and freshman Ashanti Fox.
The Tulane University Green Wave is coming into this tournament with a 2-3 record early in the 2025-2026 season. This team, based in New Orleans, Louisiana, plays in the American Athletic Conference. Ashley Langford is entering her second year as head coach and is looking to improve on last year’s 17-13 season. Kanjia Daniel, Amira Mabry, and Kendell Sneed will be the key players for the Green Wave.
The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks have not found their stride this young season, nursing a 1-5 record. The Summit League team is coming off a 12-19 2024-2025 season. Coach Dennis Hutter, entering his first full season, is looking to find a way to help this Fighting Hawks soar. He has experienced players to get the job done in the senior center, Walker Demers, graduate student forward, Ava Miller, and graduate student Mackenzie Hughes.
The Boise State University Broncos are the favorite in this division, led by seasoned head coach Gordy Presnell, who has over 20 years of experience. Three key players, all going into their senior year of school, Tatum Thompson, Natalie Pasco, and Dani Bayes, will look to improve on their 5-1 2025-2026 record.
Harbor Division Schedule – Thursday
Elon vs Tulane – 1:30 p.m.
North Dakota vs. Boise State – 4 p.m.
Island Division
The Brigham Young University Cougars play in the Big 12 Conference. This Utah team has played six games this year and has won all six games. The Cougars are seeking to continue their winning ways behind sophomore Guard, Delaney Gibb, freshman forward, Olivia Hamlin, and senior forward, Lara Rohkohi. Head Coach Lee Cummard is seeking to improve on their sub-500 record from last season.
The Hokies of Virginia Tech University have also found much success early in this season, boasting a 5-1 record. This ACC team out of Blacksburg, Virginia, is poised to give the Broncos their first loss of the season. Head Coach Megan Duffy will look to junior guard Carleigh Wanzel and senior forward Kilah Freelon to provide the leadership needed to be successful in this event.
The Oregon State Beavers are hoping to do much better than their male counterparts, who played three games in the men’s 2025 Paradise Jam and lost all of them. Head Coach Scott Rueck will utilize Tiara Bolden, Lara Alonzo-Basurto, Jenna Villa, and Kennedie Shuler to help his team build on its impressive 5-1 start to the season.
The Vanderbilt University Commodores from Nashville, Tennessee, have been perfect this season, sporting a 6-0 record. Mikayla Blakes, Sacha Washington, and Aubrey Galvan have provided leadership on the court. Head Coach Shea Ralph has provided solid leadership. Vanderbilt competes in the tough SEC Conference.
Island Division Schedule – Thursday
BYU vs Virginia Tech – 6:30 p.m.
Oregon State vs Vanderbilt – 9 p.m.
Reef Division
The Red Hawks of Miami of Ohio University from Oxford, Ohio, come to the Paradise Jam with a 4-2 record. Glenn Box took his team to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament last year. The Red Hawks would like to get the NCAA Women’s Tournament this year. The players to watch for are Amber Scalia, Amber Tretter, and Tamar Singer.
Washington State University is off to a slow start with a 0-6 record thus far this year. The Cougars lost in the second round of the WNIT tournament last year and are working hard to get into the win column for the 2025-2026 season. Kamie Ethridge is the head coach of the Cougars. Eleonora Villa, Malia Ruud, and Charlotte Abraham are the players of interest on this Washington State roster.
Marist University Red Foxes compete in the MAAC Conference. Their record is 2-4 coming into this event. Freshman guard Justine Henry, junior forward Karly Fischer, and sophomore guard Danielle Williamssen control the action on the court. Erin Doughty leads the Foxes from the sidelines.
Flauj’ae Johnson, senior guard from Louisiana State University, is on St. Thomas. Johnson is one of the most popular collegiate female athletes in the NCAA. MiLaysia Fulwiley, Mikayalh Williams, and Zakiyah Johnson have helped LSU remain undefeated for the 2025-2026 season. Head Coach Kim Mulkey has her team focused and ready to make another run to the women’s final four. The Tigers play in the SEC Conference.
Reef Division Schedule – Friday
Miami vs Washington State – 6:30 p.m.
Marist vs LSU – 9 p.m.
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