Central Washington's Asher Cai (21) was tabbed the 2025-26 GNAC Women's Basketball preseason player of the year.
Central Washington's Asher Cai (21) was tabbed the 2025-26 GNAC Women's Basketball preseason player of the year.

CWU’s Asher Cai selected as GNAC preseason player of the year

10/21/2025 8:24:23 AM

By: Evan O'Kelly, Associate Commissioner for Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. – Asher Cai is the top women’s basketball player ahead of the 2025-26 season in the eyes of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference coaches, who voted the Central Washington senior guard the league’s preseason player of the year.
 
After three consecutive all-GNAC seasons, Cai headlined the 15-player list of preseason all-conference selections as the top talent in the league. Cai was a first-team all-conference guard each of the last two campaigns, and she enters her senior year 16th on the GNAC all-time scoring list with 1,547 points.
 
GNAC Women’s Basketball 2025-26 Preseason All-Conference Team
Preseason Player of the Year: Asher Cai, Central Washington
Name School Position Height Year Hometown (Previous School)
Elaina Mack Alaska Anchorage G 5-8 SR King Cove, AK (King Cove)
Asher Cai Central Washington G 5-9 SR Colfax, WA (Colfax)
Annalee Coronado Central Washington G 5-9 JR Othello, WA (Othello)
Capri Sims Central Washington F 6-0 JR Post Falls, ID (Post Falls)
Layla Baumann Montana State Billings G 5-8 JR Billings, MT (Billings West)
Kaitlin Grossman Montana State Billings F 5-11 SR Billings, MT (Billings West)
Kendall Clark Northwest Nazarene G/F 5-10 JR Melba, ID (Melba)
Chloe Deharo Northwest Nazarene G 5-9 SO Spokane, WA (West Valley)
Kiana Rios Saint Martin’s G 5-9 SR Warden, WA (Warden)
Jada Travis Saint Martin’s G 5-5 SO Tacoma, WA (Bellarmine Prep)
Layne Kearns Seattle Pacific G 5-7 JR Hamilton, MT (Hamilton)
Rachel Loukes Simon Fraser G 5-10 JR Prince George, BC (College Heights)
Demi Dykstra Western Washington G 5-9 JR Lynden, WA (Lynden Christian)
Aspen Garrison Western Washington F 6-3 SR Bellingham, WA (Saint Mary’s Coll.)
Libby Stump Western Washington G 5-8 JR Ferndale, WA (Montana)
 

9435Asher Cai – Central Washington University
Guard – 5-9 – Senior – Colfax, Wash. – Colfax High School
Previous Accolades: D2CCA All-Region 2nd Team (2024, 2025); GNAC 1st Team (2024, 2025); GNAC H.M. (2023); GNAC Freshman of the Year (2023).
 
Cai has been a model of consistency across her first three collegiate seasons, averaging 16.8 points per game and starting 91 of 92 contests for the Wildcats since her debut in 2022-23. Her scoring average is eighth-best in GNAC history, and she has added 660 career rebounds for an average of 7.2 boards per game and 243 assists for 2.6 assists per game. Helping lead the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 last season, Cai ranked third in the GNAC with 16.8 points per game, fifth with 7.1 rebounds per game and shot 43.7% from the field overall. While the Wildcats finished one point behind preseason favorite Western Washington in the GNAC preseason coaches poll, with Cai in the lineup they are most certainly in contention for their first-ever GNAC regular-season title in 2025-26.
 
CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson: “Asher has impacted our program immensely from the time she was a freshman. She’s on pace to have one of the most storied statistical careers in a Wildcat uniform but it has never been about that for her. She has always been about the team first and her priority is winning and doing the things necessary to move our team forward toward our goals. She has always set the standard within our program from an academic, leadership, character and unconditional investment standpoint during her time here. She is a truly gifted basketball player who is so fun to watch and coach, however her work ethic and team first and growth mindset make her so special. We are so excited about the opportunity Asher and her teammates have as she steps into her senior year.”
 
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9437Capri Sims – Central Washington University
Forward – 6-0 – Junior – Post Falls, Idaho – Post Falls High School
Previous Accolades: GNAC Honorable Mention (2024, 2025)
 
While Cai is the best pure scorer returning to the conference this season, Sims may be the best returning rebounder having put up 8.5 boards per game across the first 62 contests of her collegiate career. That included a conference-leading 8.7 rebounds per game last season, with Sims reaching double digits on the glass 13 times last winter. Also a reliable source of offense, Sims averaged 9.8 points per game across her first two seasons including 10.0 points per game last year. She is a career 54.5% shooter from the floor, and has started all but four games for CWU since debuting in 2023-24. Halfway through her college career, Sims’ average of 8.47 rebounds per game ranks 11th in GNAC history and she is already halfway to 1,000 with 525 total to her name.
 
CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson: “Capri has been so impactful to our program in both her freshman and sophomore seasons. She has had to play out of position and battle great post players every night in our conference while being undersized. She has always been about the team and doing what is necessary in order for us to be successful. Her daily effort is inspiring as she empties her tank every time she steps onto the floor in practices and games. Her growth mindset and eagerness to improve have been top notch and she has developed herself into one of the top players in our league. She is so fun to watch and coach. I am excited for the opportunity that she and her teammates have in front of them.”
 
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9439Annalee Coronado – Central Washington University
Guard – 5-9 – Junior – Othello, Wash. – Othello High School
 
Another integral piece from last year’s NCAA playoff team, Coronado is back for her junior campaign with the Wildcats after playing in all 62 games and starting 39 across her first two seasons. Coronado showed statistical improvement across the board last year, with her 7.2 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game and shooting percentages of 45.9% overall, 33.8% from 3-point range and 84.3% from the foul line each being the best of her career. Coronado reached double digits in scoring nine times in 2024-25, including a career-best 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting in an 88-65 win over Seattle Pacific on Jan. 16. With the departure of All-American Sunny Huerta, look for Coronado to have an even more accelerated role helping run the Wildcat system this season.
 
CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson: “Anna’s size, skillset and versatility to play multiple positions is an amazing thing to have in our program. With that, she is willing to stretch and play any position necessary to help the team win. She has made major impacts on our team especially down the stretch in each of her last two seasons, which was vital to our team playing our best in each of the last two years. Beyond the court, Anna’s energy and attitude are infectious and so important to the culture of our program. I am so happy for her that she is getting recognized by the league as one of the top players this preseason and it is well deserved.”
 
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9441Elaina Mack – University of Alaska Anchorage
Guard – 5-8 – Senior – King Cove, Alaska – King Cove High School
Previous Accolades: GNAC Honorable Mention (2025)
 
Much has changed in Anchorage upon the departure of seven-time GNAC champion head coach Ryan McCarthy. One thing that remains rock steady is the lone returner to the Seawolves’ lineup in Mack. Helping her team claim both the GNAC regular-season and tournament titles last year, Mack blossomed into an honorable mention all-conference performer averaging 11.5 points per game. Her 2.3 made 3-pointers per game were second most in the conference, and she had career best figures of 25.7 minutes per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game and a mark of 40.1% overall from the field. Set for her fifth and final year playing for her home state school, Mack is projected as one of the top guards in the GNAC who poses a threat from range and who will be counted on as the Seawolves’ leader.
 
UAA Head Coach Matt Thune: “I am proud to see Elaina recognized for her talent and the work she puts into becoming the best player she can be. Throughout the transition here at UAA, she’s set the tone with her discipline, toughness and relentless work ethic – qualities that will have a lasting impact on our program. When it’s time to compete, Elaina is always ready, and I am excited to coach her and go to battle with her this year.”
 
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9444Kaitlin Grossman – Montana State University Billings
Forward – 5-11 – Senior – Billings, Mont. – Billings West High School
 
Like reigning champion Alaska Anchorage, Montana State Billings had much of its roster to replace with three all-conference performers (including an All-American) graduate in 2025. The lone starter returning to the squad is Grossman, who was in the lineup for all 33 of the Yellowjackets’ contests last year. In her third season with her hometown team, Grossman put up career-best numbers of 6.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while averaging 24.0 minutes per contest. Grossman reached a season-high of 10 rebounds on three different occasions and scored a season-best 15 points on Feb. 15 against NNU. With 80 games of experience under her belt since the fall of 2022, Grossman is among the most veteran players returning to the GNAC this season.
 
MSUB Head Coach Kevin Woodin: “I am excited for Kaitlin’s senior season. She had a breakout year in 2023-24 and really played well the second half of last year. She is a tremendous leader and teammate and she has worked hard to become a more complete player.”
 
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9446Layla Baumann – Montana State University Billings
Guard – 5-8 – Junior – Billings, Mont. – Billings West High School
 
Baumann is ready for an accelerated role this year, after playing in 53 games and starting one in her first two collegiate seasons. Primarily coming off the bench in 2024-25, Baumann contributed 7.0 points per game in an average of 20.1 minutes on the floor. She reached double digits 10 times, with her breakout performance being a career-high 20 points on 4-for-7 from the arc in the Yellowjackets’ 93-62 triumph over Northwest Nazarene on Feb. 15. In a starting role this year, Baumann will have the opportunity to put her skillset on display with increased time on the hardwood.
 
MSUB Head Coach Kevin Woodin: “Layla gave us great minutes off the bench last season and steadily improved. She will be a co-captain along with KG this year for our team and I have great confidence and trust in her. Layla can score at all three levels and plays so hard.”
 
9447

9448Kendall Clark – Northwest Nazarene University
Forward – 5-10 – Junior – Melba, Idaho – Melba High School
Previous Accolades: GNAC 1st Team (2025); GNAC Honorable Mention (2024); GNAC Freshman of the Year (2024)
 
One of the most talented all-around players across the last two seasons, Kendall Clark is the Nighthawks’ top returner after her second straight all-conference performance in 2024-25. Clark ranked fifth in the GNAC in scoring at 15.7 points per game and fourth in rebounding at 7.2 boards per game, both figures being improvement upon what played out to be GNAC Freshman of the Year numbers in 2023-24. Clark was the GNAC’s most efficient scorer by measure of field goal percentage, leading the conference at 57.3% as well. Starting 51 of 52 games for the Nighthawks, Clark has career averages of 14.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Her career field goal percentage of 54.7 ranks her ninth all-time in GNAC women’s basketball. The Nighthawks broke a two-year hiatus from the conference tournament last March, and with Clark on the roster they’ll be projected as another playoff contender in 2025-26.
 
NNU Head Coach Steve Steele: “Kendall has probably been our most consistent player for the last two seasons, and we are excited to see her continue her growth as a player and now as a leader. She's been doing a great job pushing herself and her teammates, requesting and responding to feedback, and expanding her game. At her current trajectory, I wouldn't be surprised to see her become one of the top players in the region or even the country.”
 
9449

9450Chloe Deharo – Northwest Nazarene University
Guard – 5-9 – Sophomore – Spokane, Wash. – West Valley High School
 
Deharo was one of the top freshmen in the league last year, starting 25 of 28 games and averaging 24.0 minutes of playing time in her debut. She contributed 8.4 points, 2.5 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, reaching double digits in scoring 13 times. One of her signature performances of her freshman season was an effort of 12 points, nine assists, five steals and three rebounds in 27 minutes to lead NNU to a 90-82 win over Simon Fraser on Feb. 6. Deharo led the GNAC in free-throw accuracy as well, converting at a clip of 89.7% (104-for-116). With a year of experience under her belt running the NNU offense, Deharo’s name will be a regular one among GNAC leaders this winter.
 
NNU Head Coach Steve Steele: “Although we knew she was talented, Chloe definitely exceeded our expectations last season on both sides of the ball. I believe one of the most difficult things to do, especially in our conference, is to come in and have an immediate impact as a freshman point guard. Now that she has a year of experience, I believe she can take an even larger step forward and it will be fun to watch her grow into the player and person we know she can be.”
 
9451

9452Jada Travis – Saint Martin’s University
Guard – 5-5 – Sophomore – Tacoma, Wash. – Bellarmine Prep
Previous Accolades: GNAC 2nd Team (2025); GNAC Freshman of the Year (2025); GNAC Championships All-Tournament Team (2025)
 
Not only was Travis the best freshman in the conference last year, but she was one of the best guards overall. This sentiment was on full display at the GNAC Championships, where she helped lead her team all the way to the title game for the first time in program history. Travis ranked ninth in the GNAC in scoring (14.0 ppg), third in assists (4.2 apg), eighth in steals (1.9 spg) and 13th in rebounding (6.0 rpg). She started all 29 games and her 35.6 minutes per game were second only to GNAC Player of the Year Sunny Huerta of CWU (36.4 mpg). Travis had too many memorable performances to count last year, among them were three double-doubles and a season-high 28 points on Jan. 25 against Northwest Nazarene.
 
SMU Head Coach Natalie Marlowe: “Jada's work ethic is unmatched. Watching her win Freshman of the Year was fun but seeing her determination to finish the job this year fuels our entire team. We rally around her play-making abilities, but the competitiveness Jada brings is what sets her apart. We know teams will have to find ways to stop her – she's been preparing for that all summer. We look forward to watching her rise to the occasion throughout her sophomore showcase.”
 
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9455Kiana Rios – Saint Martin’s University
Guard – 5-9 – Senior – Warden, Wash. – Warden High School
Previous Accolades: GNAC 2nd Team (2025); GNAC Championships All-Tournament Team (2025)
 
Another Saint to start all 29 games for last year’s playoff team, Rios emerged into an all-conference player in her third collegiate season. She contributed 13.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game – both figures blowing away her previous career bests. Rios completed four double-doubles last winter, and had a memorable 14-point, nine-rebound, four-assist effort in the Saints’ 50-48 upset of No. 2 seed Montana State Billings in the GNAC semifinals. In 66 games including 53 starts since the fall of 2022, Rios has career numbers of 11.6 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game.
 
SMU Head Coach Natalie Marlowe: “Kiana has been a Swiss army knife for us and continues to step up in any way she can, especially in big moments. As a senior, she has embraced the pressures that come along with that, aiding her confidence with the ball in her hands. She has developed into a three-level scorer that we look forward to watching throughout her final year in a Saints uniform.”
 
9456

9457Layne Kearns – Seattle Pacific University
Guard – 5-7 – Junior – Hamilton, Mont. – Hamilton High School
 
Kearns began starting midway through her freshman season in 2023-24 and has never looked back, starting all 31 contests for Seattle Pacific last season. Kearns nearly doubled her scoring average of 5.7 points per game as a freshman, coming through with 10.6 points per game to go along with 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists last season. Kearns reached double figures in six of her final seven contests of the year, including a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds in a 93-70 victory over Northwest Nazarene on Feb. 13. Entering her third collegiate season, Kearns brings 58 games including 44 starts of experience to the SPU lineup.
 
SPU Head Coach Karen Byers: “Layne Kearns is a strong, physical athlete who can score from all three levels on the court. She is powerful in the weight room, and you can see her strength when she plays. She consistently demonstrates strong teamwork, actively supports others and contributes to a positive team environment.”
 
9458


9459Rachel Loukes – Simon Fraser University
Guard – 5-10 – Junior – Prince George, B.C. – College Heights
 
Loukes will be called upon in a starting role this season, after coming off the bench in 27 games as a sophomore last year. In her second season with the Red Leafs, Loukes contributed 8.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.8% overall in an average of 22.9 minutes per game. Showing the ability to score in bunches at times, Loukes reached double digits in nine games last year including hitting her season high of 15 points on two occasions. Perhaps her best effort of the year was a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double in which she went 10-for-10 from the free-throw line against Western Oregon on Jan. 30. Upon the departure of GNAC leading scorer Sophia Wisotzki, who broke the conference single-season record at 24.7 points per game last year, SFU will look to Loukes’ 58 games of collegiate experience to be a go-to player in her junior campaign.
 
SFU Head Coach Bruce Langford: “Rachel is a high energy player. Her work ethic, athleticism and length make her a tough defender. She will battle to lead our team in several statistical areas: Rebounds, deflections, transition baskets and dives on the floor. Offensively she combines a good 3-point shot with creative ways to finish in the lane. Rachel Loukes is ready to take the reins and lead the Red Leafs to a big year.”
 
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9461Demi Dykstra – Western Washington University
Guard – 5-9 – Junior – Lynden, Wash. – Lynden Christian High School
Previous Accolades: GNAC Honorable Mention (2025); GNAC Championships All-Tournament Team (2025)
 
Dykstra capped her sophomore season by earning GNAC Championships all-tournament recognition, helping the Vikings reach the semifinals. In her first season as a starter, Dykstra averaged 11.6 points per game and ranked 13th in the conference with 3.0 assists per game. Reaching double figures in 15 of 26 contests last year and 20 points on three occasions, Dykstra proved an effective scorer in addition to her defensive presence on the floor. Her season high of 25 points came in the Vikings’ 79-56 win over Saint Martin’s on Jan. 30, as she made 8 of 11 field goals including a season-best three from long distance. Overall in two seasons at WWU, Dykstra has played in 57 games with 26 starts.
 
WWU Head Coach Carmen Dolfo: “Demi is coming off a terrific sophomore year. She has worked hard this summer and has taken her game up another level. She has the ability to score in many different ways so she can be hard to guard. She takes a lot of pride in her defense as well. She’s going to be a great leader for us this year.”
 
9462


9463Aspen Garrison – Western Washington University
Forward – 6-3 – Senior – Bellingham, Wash. – Sehome High School/Saint Mary’s College
 
In her return to her hometown university in 2023-24, Garrison – Dolfo’s daughter – was a stalwart in the lineup. She started all 31 games and averaged 9.9 points and 4.5 assists while shooting 49.6% from the floor. The Vikings missed out on that presence last season, as an injury kept Garrison off the court in 2024-25. But with good health in 2025-26, Garrison is projected to return to the lineup as one of the top talents in the conference. Including two seasons at Saint Mary’s College (Calif.), Garrison has 93 games including 42 starts of collegiate experience under her belt.
 
WWU Head Coach Carmen Dolfo: “Aspen brings a lot of passion to our team and has a really good understanding of the game. She will be a great presence in the middle for us as she takes pride in both her offense and defense. It’s great to have her back.”
 
9464


9465Libby Stump – Western Washington University
Guard – 5-8 – Junior – Ferndale, Wash. – Lynden Christian High School/University of Montana
 
Stump’s first season at WWU was impacted by injuries, as she was limited to 11 games and just one start in 2024-25. The University of Montana transfer was effective when she was in the lineup, averaging 8.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 23.7 minutes per game. Her top offensive performance last year was a 20-point outpouring against Simon Fraser on Jan. 25 in just her third game of the season. After missing the 2024 portion of the schedule last year, Stump gained valuable experience down the latter half of WWU’s schedule and reached double digits in five contests. The Vikings will be eager to see what she is capable of in a healthy, complete season.
 
WWU Head Coach Carmen Dolfo: “Libby has a great desire and ability to score. Her body is finally ready to go this year after a series of injuries, and we expect great things out of her. She has a passion for the game, works incredibly hard and will be very impactful for us.”
 
9466