EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women's basketball team opens its 2026-27 campaign on Sunday, hosting IU East for an exhibition at 4 p.m. at Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

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Sunday's exhibition offers the first look at the 2026-27 Purple Aces, who return three players from last season's roster: Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Watch List selection Avery Kelley, Mireira Mustaros, and Kaiden Kreinhagen. Evansville looks to build on a successful campaign that saw the Aces advance to the MVC Championship game in March.

Leading Evansville this season is new head coach Ben Wierzba, who brings 25 years of coaching experience across nine institutions. Wierzba arrives in Evansville following a stint as associate head coach at Miami University, where he helped the RedHawks to Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament titles and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025-26. He is also familiar with the Purple Aces, having served as an assistant coach for Evansville's men's basketball program from 2007-10.

Wierzba's coaching staff includes assistant coaches Style Harper-Estill, Darion Hutchinson, and Susie Gardner.

IU East enters Sunday's exhibition as a member of the NAIA's River States Conference. The Red Wolves finished the 2025-26 season with an 11-16 overall record and a 7-9 mark in conference play.