The Nest has a specific kind of energy you can’t really find anywhere else in the Big Sky. If you’ve ever walked into the gym at Sacramento State, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s tight. It’s loud. It feels like the fans are basically on the court with the players.
But honestly, looking at the box scores from the early 2025-26 season, you might think you’re seeing a team in a bit of a mid-winter slump.
They started 2026 with some tough breaks. A pair of conference losses to open the new year. A frustrating 68-46 loss at Northern Colorado just yesterday, January 17th. People see the 9-9 overall record and assume the momentum from that 2023 NCAA tournament run has finally evaporated.
They're wrong.
Why Sacramento State Women’s Basketball is Actually Dangerous Right Now
Most casual observers look at the record and see a .500 team. What they miss is the defensive identity Aaron Kallhoff is bake-heating into this roster. Even in that recent loss to the Bears, the Hornets' defensive rating remains one of the more respectable marks in the conference. They aren't just losing; they’re making teams work for every single inch of hardwood.
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The reality is that this roster is basically a laboratory for the transfer portal.
Coach Kallhoff, who came over from BYU with a reputation for being a recruiting wizard, has flipped the script on how the Hornets build a team. We’re talking about six transfers and seven returners. It’s a mix that usually takes months to gel.
The Benthe Versteeg Factor
You can't talk about this team without mentioning Benthe Versteeg.
She was the Big Sky preseason MVP for a reason. Watching her play is sort of like watching a chess master who also happens to have a 30-inch vertical. She’s a redshirt senior now, and the way she manipulates a pick-and-roll is honestly art.
In the win against Northern Arizona just a few days ago (January 15th), she dropped 18 points, but it was her leadership that sealed it. When NAU started pressing, she didn't blink. She just directed traffic, found the open shooters, and basically willed the Hornets to a 78-59 victory on the road.
- Key Stat: Versteeg is currently the engine, but the secondary scoring is where the surprise is.
- The Sniper: Rubi Gray. She led all scorers against NAU with 26 points, including six triples.
- The Anchor: Fatoumata Jaiteh. A senior who provides the rim protection this team desperately needs when their small-ball lineups get exposed.
The Kallhoff Blueprint
Kallhoff didn't just walk into a winning situation. He walked into a program that had just lost its championship coach and most of its starting lineup to the portal.
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His "7 C’s Challenge" isn't just some corporate slogan he prints on t-shirts. It’s a mental toughness program. You see it when the team is down ten in the fourth quarter. They don't start chucking bad shots; they stick to the system.
The addition of Michael Floyd as Associate Head Coach from Santa Clara was a massive win for this staff. Floyd has that "interim head coach" experience, and he's brought a level of tactical nuance to the bench that helps Kallhoff focus on the big-picture culture.
Dealing with the "Big Sky" Reality
Let’s be real: the Big Sky is a grind. Traveling to Bozeman or Greeley in the middle of January is a nightmare.
The Hornets have struggled with consistency on the road. They’ve had nights where the offense just goes cold—like the 33% shooting performance against Northern Colorado.
But look at the blowout wins earlier in the season. 124 points against Stanton. 102 against Simpson. Sure, those are "tune-up" games, but they showed that when this team finds its rhythm, they can score in bunches. They aren't just a defensive grind-it-out squad anymore.
What to Watch for in February
If you're following Sacramento State women’s basketball, the next few weeks are basically the season.
They have a massive homestand coming up. The Nest needs to be a fortress. With games against Montana and Montana State looming at the end of February, the Hornets need to find a way to balance the scoring load so it isn't just "Versteeg or bust."
The development of players like sophomore Brooklyn Taylor and junior Natalie Picton (a Montana State transfer who knows the league's secrets) will be the deciding factor. If Picton can provide that consistent third scoring option, this team isn't just a mid-tier spoiler—they’re a dark horse for the Big Sky tournament in Boise.
Actions for the True Fan
If you want to actually understand where this program is headed, stop looking at the wins and losses for a second. Look at the efficiency.
Keep an eye on the turnover margin. When the Hornets stay under 14 turnovers, they almost always win. When they get sloppy—like the 27-turnover disaster against Northern Colorado—they can't beat anyone.
Go to a game. Seriously. The atmosphere at Sacramento State is one of the best-kept secrets in Northern California sports. Seeing the chemistry between Kallhoff and his players during a timeout tells you more about the future of this program than any stat sheet ever could.
The Hornets are currently 9-9. They are 3-2 in conference. They are right in the thick of it. And if Rubi Gray keeps shooting like she did in Flagstaff, nobody is going to want to see them on the bracket in March.
Next Step for You: Check the upcoming home schedule at The Nest. Focus specifically on the rematch against Northern Colorado on February 12th—that's the "circle it on the calendar" game where we'll see if this team has truly learned to handle the Bears' defensive pressure.