Cal Women’s basketball had their first exhibition game of the season against reigning NCAA champions, UCLA. After the disbandment of the Pac-12, the two teams have not matched up since February of 2024. For an exhibition partnered with the Jason Kidd Foundation, Haas Pavillion, now introducing the name, “Hyphy Haas” by Head Coach Charmin Smith, had attendance of around 4,000 fans.
Although Cal finished with a loss of 87-53, the results were relatively routine considering past encounters with UCLA. This only further supported the significance of exhibition games to strengthen vital weak spots in preparing for the season. Coach Charmin expressed on the mic after the final buzzer that this team is not the team Cal fans will see on their first official conference game against Washington State on November 2nd.
UCLA had a particularly strong team, highlighting Sienna Betts with 11 points and 12 rebounds, KK Bransford at 14 points, and Elina Aarnisalo ending with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. During the post game press conference, Head Coach Cori Close expressed deep confidence in her roster, especially in Betts taking on more of a leadership role following the exit of many great talents from last season.
Post Cal exhibition 10/14
Left to right: Lulu Twidale, Taylor Barnes, Charmin Smith
Although the performance was not what Bear’s fans wanted, the Cal audience had a great introduction to true freshman and Aussie addition, Ruby Perkins. In the post game, Lulu Twidale shared the comforts of having a fellow Aussie join her on the roster but also one who dominates on the court.
Perkins proved herself to be a dynamic and creative player on the court making a great impact to the games momentum displaying impressive passing, ball control and confidence. As one of Cal’s star players Mjracle Sheppard is out with an injury, Perkins’ first appearance for the Bears while also against rivaled champions UCLA, was described by Coach Charmin as “baptism by fire.” In addition to this comment, Twidale praised Perkins’ guts on facing Betts throughout the four quarters. In the post-game it was clear the level of faith Charmin has in her athletes, the potential they have for the 2026-27 season, and also the excitement she has with the state of women’s basketball.
The exhibition game proved itself to be great training for the Bears but a highlight of women’s sports and basketball in the Bay Area. UCLA’s Coach Close shared the utmost respect for Cal’s staff as well as Coach Charmin’s coaching ethics and practices. Despite the rivalry the two universities have with each other, Hyphy Haas was filled with an air of unity and sisterhood.
With the excitement of the Valkyries and their post-season dominance to the WNBA finals in just their second season as an organization, Charmin and her staff showed how they play for the Bay in wearing Valkyries’ Ballhalla shirts. If there’s one thing we know about Coach Charmin, it's her passion in giving back and representing the community. She shared how essential having faith in organizations from the jump is, saying she had put a deposit for Valkyries season tickets before the team had a roster or even coach.
Coach Close discussed her support for the Valkyries as well, joking she usually roots for the team with the most UCLA players. However, is now conflicted that the WNBA finals opponent, Atlanta Dream has one alum of hers alongside the Valks.
As the pre-season gets started, Cal fans will look ahead of the Bear’s matchup against USC on October 25th down in Los Angeles. As Mjracle Sheppard recovers from injury and Ruby Perkins finds her footing filling in for Sheppard’s absence, women’s basketball fans will come together to celebrate the wins in women’s sports as the Valkyries begin their first ever run to the WNBA finals against the Atlanta Dream. Thanks to exhibitions like this, the efforts and passions of Coach Charmin, Coach Close, and their teams, students and fans have access to world-class basketball, sportsmanship, and representation for all generations of female athletes and fans of the sport.