Decatur, IL— Millikin University Women's Basketball 2026-2027 season is underway with the Big Blue soon taking the stage with the mindset of improving on last season. 

Off a 9-16 overall record, falling in conference play, the Big Blue are on a mission to grow their identities on and off the court to work toward the top six in the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin by tournament time. 

Returner junior Nikkel Johnson, 2nd Team All-CCIW, who is also a part of the Millikin Volleyball program, will play a critical role in the paint this season. She was the leading scorer and rebounder with 380 points, averaging 16.5 per game at a 61.4% from the field, and 177 rebounds with 7.7 per game. 

Others like Izzy Hay, Natalie Gartlan, and Kyleigh Heimsness have shown focus in preseason to improve their on-court performance by showing consistency and doing the little things better. 

The incoming class includes 11 freshmen, giving a fresh new look for Head Coach Kirsten Hammer in her 3rd season with Assistant Coach Mallory Liebl.  

Coach Hammer mentions Amya Porchia, a freshman guard with a great basketball IQ, great energy, able to lead her team on the court early on. In the paint, Kay Kay Williams and Lizzy Murphy are coachable and catching on quickly with what it takes to be a post at this level. With added depth, the Big Blue are excited to get going. 

Schedule wise, the Big Blue will face tough teams leading up to conference play to prepare. "We need to play the best to learn and grow as a team," expresses Hammer as they will compete with seven top 25 teams throughout the season to set themselves up well for CCIW play. 

This team is bought into the standard with lots of energy, accountability and toughness to turn things around for the better by playing at a higher level, and Coach Hammer is "ready to see them rise to the challenge and adversity starting Friday all the way to the end." 

Millikin Women's Basketball opens the 2026 campaign on Friday, November 6, against Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Tipoff is set for 6pm in Griswold Center.