Keithan Gregg makes his debut as Dickinson State's head women's basketball coach when the Blue Hawks face Haskell Indian Nations on Oct. 23 at the Bellevue Classic. Chelsey Gregg serves as assistant coach.

The Blue Hawks enter 2026-27 picked 11th in the 12-team Frontier Conference coaches' preseason poll with 25 points. Dakota State leads the poll with 117 points and eight first-place votes.

Dickinson State brings back 10 letterwinners and carries 17 players on its varsity roster. Six letterwinners from the 2025-26 team do not return, creating opportunities for veterans and newcomers alike.

Senior forward Kaylin Garza is the Blue Hawks' leading returning scorer and rebounder after averaging 10.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 2025-26. She also averaged 1.5 blocks per contest.

Senior forward J'Elle Garfield averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game last season. She made 38 3-pointers and returns as an experienced scoring option for the Blue Hawks.

Senior point guard Jada Clarkson returns to the Dickinson State backcourt after averaging 4.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in 2025-26.

The Blue Hawks welcome junior center Ana Abans Leon from Tallahassee State and guards Zoey Wooten from Iowa Lakes Community College and Jirah Villanueva from Green River College.

Dickinson State enters the new season following a 7-19 overall finish and a 5-17 record in Frontier Conference play in 2025-26. The Blue Hawks averaged 61.6 points per game and allowed 73.4.

Dickinson State opens its 22-game Frontier Conference schedule Nov. 20 at Bismarck State. The Blue Hawks play their home opener Nov. 28 against Midland at Scott Gymnasium.

The Blue Hawks begin the Keithan Gregg era against Haskell Indian Nations on Friday, Oct. 23, and Cottey College on Saturday, Oct. 24. Both games are part of the Bellevue Classic in Omaha, Neb.

With 10 letterwinners returning, Dickinson State has an experienced core entering Gregg's first season. The opening weekend provides the first regular-season opportunity for returning players and newcomers to establish their roles together.

Senior forwards Kaylin Garza (10.9) and J'Elle Garfield (9.2) combined to average 20.1 points per game last season. Their production gives the Blue Hawks an experienced starting point on offense.

The Blue Hawks averaged 17.0 turnovers per game in 2025-26. Taking care of the basketball and making each possession count will be priorities as Dickinson State opens the new season.

Dickinson State averaged 35.4 rebounds per game last season, while opponents averaged 38.2. The Blue Hawks will look to close that gap with their returning frontcourt and newcomers.

The Blue Hawks made 77.5% of their free throws in 2025-26. Maintaining that efficiency will help Dickinson State make the most of its opportunities at the foul line.