Women's Basketball Season Preview: Cochise Sets the Tempo for a New Era
DOUGLAS, Ariz. — The 2025–26 season brings a fresh look to the Cochise College Women's Basketball program, but under head coach Misty Opat, the expectations remain the same — compete hard, uphold the standard, and chase championships.
With only one returning player available from last season, this year's team is learning from the ground up. Despite the roster's inexperience, Opat said she has been impressed with how quickly the group has embraced Cochise's culture and pace of play.
"This team is different than recent years in that we only have one returner playing this season," Opat said. "It's a great group of young ladies who are working hard to maintain the standard that's been set over the last few years. The chemistry has been amazing and keeps getting better every day."
A Fast and Fearless Identity
Cochise fans can expect a familiar — and maybe even faster — brand of basketball this season.
"We're going to continue our fast-paced game, but this team may be even quicker up and down the court," Opat said. "We have the ability to score in waves, and defensively, we'll press more with our guard-heavy lineup."
With a roster built on speed and depth, the Apaches will look to wear opponents down with energy, effort, and tempo — a signature of Opat's successful system that has produced back-to-back national tournament appearances.
New Faces Making an Early Impact
While young, the team's new additions have shown early promise.
"I love the attitude and work ethic of our newcomers," Opat said. "They're eager to learn and have been a joy to be around."
Three players in particular have stood out: Gaby Oliver, Malika Goutay, and Noa Mikami. Each has quickly adapted to the system and exceeded early expectations through the fall preseason.
Veteran Leadership Returns Inside
The lone returning player, Lesline Penge, brings size, experience, and leadership to the interior. The 6'5" forward missed part of the preseason due to injury but is now rounding back into form.
"Lesline creates a big presence inside, and we're expecting big things from her this season," Opat said.
A Tough, Respected Region
This year's team enters the fray in a relentlessly competitive ACCAC Division 1 landscape, where every night on the schedule carries weight. The list of challengers reads like a who 's-who of junior college women's basketball, including traditional powers such as Eastern Arizona College and Arizona Western College.
Eastern Arizona concluded the 2024-25 season with a strong 28-7 record and an impressive 13-4 mark in conference play, signaling its status as one of the region's elite programs. Meanwhile, Arizona Western has been on the rise under coach Chelsea Dewey, earning national recognition and a 25-win campaign that culminated in ACCAC and national-tournament accolades.
Coach Opat is candid about the obstacles: "Every year I've been here, the conference gets stronger and stronger; there is no easy night out," she notes. But it's in this very strength of schedule that opportunity lies—where the Apaches can test themselves, build character, and prove their worth on a national stage.
A Global Roster and a Message for Fans
This year's team is as diverse as it is dynamic, with 14 players representing eight different countries, including the United States.
"Our tallest player is 6'5" and our smallest is 5'1" — size doesn't matter, it's about how hard you work," Opat said. "Everyone who desires to play college basketball can find an opportunity. I think our fans will enjoy watching this group grow and compete together."
The Cochise Women's Basketball team opens the 2025-26 regular season on the road in Thatcher, AZ, facing Snow College on the campus of Eastern Arizona on Nov. 6th at 2:00 pm.