NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Elmhurst University women's basketball team tie for fourth in the 2026-27 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Preseason Coaches' Poll, as released Friday afternoon.

Illinois Wesleyan claimed the top spot, followed by North Central in second and Carroll in third. Elmhurst and Carthage shared fourth place, with Wheaton following the tied teams. 

The Bluejays return 12 players from last season's roster, including All-CCIW selections Kristin Bukata and Natalie Harty. The Blue and White finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 12-13 overall record and an 8-8 mark in conference play.

Bukata returns after earning First Team All-CCIW honors and First Team D3hoops.com All-Region 8 recognition. She averaged 17.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while delivering 185 assists. Bukata ranked third in the CCIW in scoring, led the conference in assists, and minutes played while recording nine double-doubles during the season. Bukata also added a career milestone exceeding the 1,000 point mark this past season as a junior.

Harty joins Bukata in the returning backcourt after receiving Second Team All-CCIW honors. She averaged 12.1 points per game and led the Bluejays with 66 made 3-pointers, shooting 36.7 percent beyond the arc. In conference play, Harty posted a scoring average of 13.4 points per game while connecting on 46.4 percent of her 3-point attempts.

Elmhurst also brings back experienced contributors Natalie Robinson and Maia Lewers. Robinson totaled 212 points and 150 rebounds while recording 20 blocks last season. Lewers started all 23 games she appeared in, finishing with 45 assists.

Diellza Dalipi and Ella Conyers add further depth after appearing in 25 and 24 games, respectively. With an experienced returning group and both all-conference student-athletes back, the Bluejays will look to build on last season's performance entering the 2026-27 campaign.

The Blue and White open their 2026-27 campaign on Saturday, Nov. 6 traveling to Galesburg, Ill. to take on the Knox College Prairie Fire Foxes. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Memorial Gymnasium & Tim Heimann Court..