VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Valley City State University women's basketball team opens its 2026–27 season this weekend with two games at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.

The Vikings face Concordia University (Neb.) on Friday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. Central before taking on host Dakota Wesleyan University on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 5:30 p.m. Central. Both games are part of the DWU Classic.

VCSU returns seven letterwinners from last season's team, which finished 10-16 overall and ninth in the Frontier Conference. Head coach Vanessa Johnson enters the season with a 121-120 career record, all at Valley City State.

Ellie Braaten, Tiyana Schwinghammer and Olivia Backus headline the Vikings' returning group. Their experience will help guide a roster working to replace six letterwinners, including key departures JayCee Richter, Abby Aslesen and Madison Spacher.

The Vikings were selected eighth in the Frontier Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll, collecting 60 points in voting by the league's 12 head coaches. This weekend's nonconference matchups give VCSU its first opportunity to establish its rotations and build toward conference play.

Friday's season opener pairs the Vikings with Concordia before VCSU faces Dakota Wesleyan on its home floor Saturday. With games on consecutive days, the opening weekend will provide an early test for the Vikings' returning core and newcomers.

Live video and live statistics links are available through the women's basketball schedule at vcsuvikings.com. Following the trip, the Vikings return to W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse for their home opener against the University of Minnesota Morris on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m. Central.