LEBANON, Tenn. - - The Cumberland University women's basketball team is preparing for the 2026-27 season under third-year head coach Mark Vaughn. After finishing last season with a 15-14 overall record and a 1-11 mark in Mid-South Conference play, the Phoenix will look to improve this year with returning experience and several new faces on the roster.

Senior Forward Emaleigh Tarpley returns after a strong season in which she averaged 11.2 points and eight rebounds per game while shooting 44% from the field and 75% from the free-throw line. Tarpley has shown she can score in the paint and at the free-throw line. She also made an impact defensively last season, recording 49 steals and 14 blocks while drawing numerous big time charges. Her experience on both ends of the floor will be important for Cumberland this season.

Senior Guard Faith Colston will also help lead the Phoenix after starting 25 games last season. Colston averaged 27 minutes per game, shooting 35% from the field, 36% from three-point range and 66% from the free-throw line. She also averaged five rebounds and 5.6 points per game. Along with Tarpley, Colston brings valuable experience to a team looking to take a step forward this season.

Redshirt Junior Guard Braley Bushman returns as another key scoring option for Cumberland. Bushman averaged 11.4 points per game in 21.6 minutes per game last season while shooting 44% from the field, 42% from three-point range and 72% from the free-throw line. Her ability to score from the perimeter and inside the paint will give the Phoenix another offensive threat this season.
Sophomore Forward Julia Varpness also returns after playing important minutes last year. Varpness averaged 17.2 minutes and 3.6 points per game while shooting 37% from the field, 25% from three-point range and 58% from the free-throw line. She will look to build on her freshman season and continue contributing to the Phoenix this year.

Cumberland will also bring back Guard Lazaviona Hawkins after she redshirted last season, along with Forward Oakley Bright and Guard Abby Williams. Their return adds depth to the roster as the Phoenix prepare for the upcoming season.

Coach Vaughn will welcome several newcomers to the team this year, including Mazie Bushman, Cara Lee Gilbert, Katie Mastin, Taylor Dolente, Dayonna Perryman, Sammie Stewart, Mariah Okorie,and Nili Selmani.

Transfer Forward Dayonna Perryman joins Cumberland from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn., where she averaged 7.5 points per game. Before college, she attended Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., earning All-District and All-Tournament honors.

The Phoenix added six freshmen to the roster: Mazie Bushman, Gilbert, Mastin, Dolente, Stewart and Okorie.

Freshman Guard Cara Lee Gilbert joins Cumberland after a strong career at Cookeville High School in Cookeville, Tenn. She earned TSWA All-State honors in 2026 after helping lead her team to a 30-5 record and a Class 4A state runner-up finish, averaging 17.4 points per game as a senior.

Freshman Guard Taylor Dolente comes to Cumberland from Upperman High School in Baxter, Tenn. She scored more than 1,500 career points and earned First Team All-District honors in District 7-AAA. She will look to bring her scoring ability to the Phoenix this season.

The Phoenix will travel to Fayette, Mo., for a pair of matchups this weekend. Cumberland will face Central Methodist University (Mo.) on Friday, with tipoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m. CT, before returning to action Saturday against William Woods University (Mo.) at noon CT.

Fans can follow both games through live stats at gocumberlandathletics.com.