Women's Basketball

Lock Haven, Gannon atop 2025-26 PSAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Polls

Lock Haven earned six first-place votes in the Eastern Division while Gannon collected seven first-place votes in the Western Division.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven Bald Eagles and Gannon Golden Knights have been voted as the top teams in the Eastern and Western conferences, respectively, in the 2025-26 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Polls.

The polls are voted on by the conference’s head coaches.

Lock Haven sits atop the Eastern Division poll after collecting six first-place votes, with Kutztown earning three. In the Western Division poll, Gannon received seven first-place votes, with Seton Hill collecting one.

Find the complete polls as well as team-by-team capsules below.
 
Eastern Division (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
 
1. Lock Haven (6)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. Bloomsburg
4. West Chester
5. Millersville
6. East Stroudsburg
7. Shippensburg
8. Shepherd
9. Mansfield

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Western Division (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
 
1. Gannon (7)
2. Seton Hill (1)
3. IUP
4. California
5. Clarion
6. Edinboro
7. Slippery Rock
8. Pitt-Johnstown
 

 PSAC EASTERN DIVISION



#1 Lock Haven (20-9 overall, 14-7 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • The Bald Eagles are fresh off another impressive campaign and finished 20-9 overall and 14-7 in the conference during the regular season.
  • The season earned Lock Haven its second straight PSAC East Championship, after winning the title outright in 2023-24 and sharing the crown with Kutztown in 2024-25.
  • The group earned a trip to the PSAC East final four for the second season in a row, before bowing out of the tournament on the road at Edinboro.
  • The Bald Eagles return four starters who have all been represented on the All-PSAC Team in their careers, including 1,000-point scorers Jenadia Jordan and two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year Alana Robinson.
 
#2 Kutztown (22-12 overall, 14-7 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Kutztown concluded a historic 2024-25 season with its first PSAC championship, finishing 22-12 overall and 14-7 in the PSAC, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament for just the second time since 1995-96
  • After starting the season 6-10, KU rattled off a program-record 12 straight wins to clinch the PSAC East and the top spot in the PSAC Tournament
  • The Golden Bears led the PSAC with 263 made 3-pointers and were second in 3-point% at 32.2%
  • Kutztown opens its season in the MEC/PSAC Challenge at West Chester against Glenville State on Friday, Nov. 14
 
#3 Bloomsburg (18-12 overall, 11-10 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Bloomsburg is coming off an 18-12 season with an 11-10 record in the PSAC East. The Huskies returned to the PSAC Tournament for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign.
  • The Huskies' improved defense was critical to the turnaround last season. Bloomsburg held opponents to 58.8 points per game, third-best in the conference, while finishing fourth in Division II last season with an opponent three-point field goal percentage of 23.5. 
  • Bloomsburg returns nine players who saw action in 24 of the team's 30 games in 2024-25.
  • The Huskies open their season at the Jim Crawley Conference Challenge in Frostburg, MD, against West Virginia Wesleyan on Friday, November 14. Bloomsburg's first PSAC contest is Saturday, December 6, at Nelson Field House against Cal (Pa.).
 
#4 West Chester (15-15 overall, 11-10 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • In 2024-25, West Chester qualified for the PSAC Tournament for the ninth time in 10 seasons under head coach Kiera Wooden. West Chester advanced to at least the Quarterfinal round of the Tournament for the seventh time in those nine appearances.
  • The Golden Rams will need to replace its top two leading scorers from 2024-25 in PSAC East First Team All-Conference selections Michelle Kozicki and Anna McTamney, who accounted for 1,074 of 1,957 points last season.
  • West Chester is 34-5 at home since January 2023 and enjoyed a 27-game home winning streak until December 7, 2024, when IUP defeated WCU 69-53 for its first home loss since January 11, 2023.
  • West Chester finished last season second in the PSAC in free throw percentage, connecting on 77.7 (426-of-548) at the free throw line.
  • West Chester will open the season at home for the second time in the last three seasons with the Carol Eckman Classic as Salem, Glenville State, and Kutztown come to West Chester November 14-15. West Chester will open its season on November 14th vs. Salem at 5 p.m. before opening league play vs. Pitt-Johnstown on December 6th at 1 p.m.
  • Key Returners for the Golden rams include Junior Forward Erin Daley and Sophomore Guard Bella Mazur.
 
#5 Millersville (16-13 overall, 11-10 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Millersville Women’s Basketball is coming off a 16-13 campaign that saw them go 11-10 in PSAC play. They finished last season with an average of 63.1 points per game while allowing opponents 58.2 points per game. Millersville finished fourth in the PSAC East and fell to West Chester in the first round of the PSAC Tournament by a score of 64-56.
  • Millersville returns one starter from last season, Morgan Mahoney, and will look towards younger players, two transfers, and their class of six incoming freshman players.
  • Millersville opens the 2025-26 season on Friday, November 14, when they face off against Lincoln University (PA) in the Conference Challenge at Shippensburg at 5:00 PM.
  • The PSAC schedule begins for Millersville on Saturday, December 6, when Clarion University comes to Pucillo Gymnasium.
 
#6 East Stroudsburg (13-15 overall, 10-11 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • East Stroudsburg is coming off a 13-15 campaign that saw them go 10-11 in PSAC play. They made an appearance in the PSAC Championships, but fell in the first round to Bloomsburg, 60-57. 
  •  East Stroudsburg finished last season, ranked seventh in the PSAC in scoring defense, holding their opponents to 61.7 points per game. The Warriors averaged 63.3 PPG, 37.0 RPG, 14.8 APG, 9.2 SPG, 3.0 BPG., and shot .409 from the field.
  • The Warriors return Graduate Guard Jessica Polin, Junior Guard Lacie Kringe, and Sophomore Guards Brie and Brooke Droege.
  • East Stroudsburg opens the 2025-26 season on Saturday, November 15 when they travel to Bowie State University for the Bowie State Tip-Off Classic. The Warriors will face Bowie State at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Shaw at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. 
  •  The PSAC schedule begins for East Stroudsburg on Saturday, December 4 when Seton Hill makes the trip to Koehler Fieldhouse. 
 
#7 Shippensburg (8-19 overall, 5-16 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Shippensburg is coming off an 8-19 campaign in 2024-25, including a 5-16 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division.
  • Senior forward Makayla Foddrell will lead a young Raider squad in 2025-26. Foddrell started 14 games last season and averaged 4.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest.
  • Head Coach Kristy Trn, entering her 28th year at the helm in 2025-26, is looking for strides from her sophomore class that includes guards Abbie Johns and Rylee Kraft and forward Michelle Olak. Olak averaged 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds a year ago, while Johns had several breakout performances (most notably 17 pts. against Clarion).
  • Among the newcomers expected to contribute are guard Melana Eyer and forward Lauren Marton.
 
#8 Shepherd (7-21 overall, 4-17 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Shepherd is coming off a 7-21 campaign last season with a 4-17 mark in PSAC play. The Rams went 3-3 over their last six games of the season.
  • Key Returners for the Rams are Junior Guard Kara Wehner (9.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.8 APG) and Sophomore Forward Lamaria Estridge (11.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.8 APG).
  • The Rams open the 2025-26 season on Saturday, November 15 when they face Shaw at the Bowie State Tipoff Classic.
  • The PSAC schedule begins for the Rams on Saturday, December 6 when Gannon comes to town for a 1 p.m. contest.
 
#9 Mansfield (10-17 overall, 6-15 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Mansfield is coming off an 10-17 season with an 6-15 PSAC record.
  • The Mountaineers finished fourth in the PSAC in 3 point field goals made at 6.2, finished second in team rebounds averaging 40.7, second in defensive rebounds with 27.7, and fourth in offensive rebounds with 13.0.
  • Mansfield opens the 2025-26 season at the PSAC/CIAA Challenge hosted by Clarion University. On Wednesday, November 19 the team plays Roberts Wesleyan University to open the year.
  • The PSAC schedule opens when the Mounties travel to Slippery Rock on Saturday, December 6.
  • Mansfield will look to Junior Katie Sheeler (16.6 PPG, 60 assists, 57 steals) to lead the Mounties this season.
 

PSAC WESTERN DIVISION
 


#1 Gannon (28-7 overall, 16-4 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • For the third straight year Gannon will open the season competing in the D2 CCA Tip-Off Classic. Only this time the Golden Knights will serve as the host of the three-day event. From Friday, November 7 to Sunday, November eight top Division II programs will converge on northwest Pennsylvania. The Golden Knights open the season facing Union (Tenn.) on Friday, followed by a Saturday date with Northern Michigan. The tournaments concludes with Gannon playing North Georgia. Union was 33-4 a year ago and reached the national semifinals. Northern Michigan also made the NCAA Tournament and finished at 23-9. North Georgia ended the year at 31-3, reaching the championship of the Southeast Regional.
  • Head coach Cleve Wright enters his 18th season as Gannon’s head coach and 22nd overall as a head coach. He ranks among the Division II leaders in coaching wins and winning percentage. He owns a 387-129 record at Gannon and is 422-216 all-time as a head coach. He was inducted into the Erie Sports Hall of Fame during the summer.
  •  Gannon seeks its third straight Atlantic Region title and third consecutive trip to the Elite Eight. The Golden Knights finished at 28-7 a year ago, defeating Indiana (Pa.) in the Atlantic Regional championship game before losing to eventual national champion Grand Valley State in the national quarterfinals.
  • Bri Claxon leads a veteran team that returns all five starters. The senior guard earned first team All-PSAC West honors for the second straight year and was the 2022-23 PSAC West Freshman of the Year. She led the Golden Knights in scoring (15.1 ppg.) and assists (65) while making 62-of-159 3-pointers. Claxon enters the season ranked 14th in career scoring with 1,293 points.
  • Kate Ratliff was a second team All-PSAC West honoree. A junior forward, she averaged 14.1 ppg. and 5.1 rpg. while leading the team with 60 steals and 37 blocked shots. Ratliff was named the MVP of the Atlantic Regional.
#2 Seton Hill (24-7 overall, 16-4 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • The Griffins finished their most successful season as a member of the NCAA last season.  The 24 wins and 16 PSAC wins were school records.  The team also advanced to their second ever NCAA Tournament.  SHU advanced to the second round with a win over Kutztown.
  • HC Maeve Gallagher begins her third season with the Griffins.  She was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year last season.
  • The Griffins return four starters and nine players who saw significant playing time in 2024-25.  SHU returns three All PSAC West performers including PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year, Mia Kalich.  Kalich, along with Hallie and Helene Cowan were all PSAC West performers.
  • SHU begins the season in the MEC/PSAC Challenge at Concord.  PSAC West play begins on Jan 7 at California (PA).
 
#3 IUP (23-8 overall, 15-5 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • IUP returns two players that started 28 games last season.
  • The Crimson Hawks return four players that played over 20 minutes per game last season.
  • The team also returns four of the top scorers from 2024-25, including two players that averaged double digits.
  • Nyshae’ Weaver averaged a double-double last season with 14.8 ppg and 11.0 rpg while playing 30.5 mpg. Weaver was one of two in the PSAC to average a double-double and part of a group of less than 20 players in the country to accomplish that.
  • Senior Ellie Wilkerson led the team, shooting over 84 percent from the free throw line, missing just nine of 58 attempts.
  • The Hawks return their two best three-point shooters from last year in Marin Miller (22-54/.407) and Wilkerson (28-88/.318) 
 
#4 California (16-12 overall, 12-8 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • California finished last season with a 16-12 overall and ranked fifth in the PSAC West standings to earn a 24th-consecutive appearance in the PSAC Tournament.
  • Head coach Jess Strom enters the season with 297 career wins, all with the Vulcans. She is just three victories shy of becoming the seventh coach in PSAC history with 300 wins, and would become the third active coach to reach the milestone.
  •  The Vulcans will open the year by competing at the CCA D2 Tip-Off Classic in Erie County with games against Northern Michigan, Minnesota State and Ferris State – which combined to win nearly 70 games last season. All three schools won at least 20 games and appeared in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
  • Senior Alicia Young is the lone returning starter from last season, as she ranked second on the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game – nearly double her previous career high.
 
#5 Clarion (14-15 overall, 8-12 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • Clarion enters its third season under head coach Danielle Fleming, following an improved 14-15 overall record and 8-12 PSAC mark during the 2024-25 campaign.
  • Key returners include Arianna Seitz (10.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Zoe Guice (8.6 ppg, 87 steals), and Madison Palek (5.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg).
  • Clarion opens the 2025-26 season on November 14, hosting its annual Tip-Off Tournament with matchups against Bluefield State and Livingstone.
  • The Golden Eagles begin PSAC play on December 6, welcoming Millersville to Tippin Gymnasium for their conference opener.
 
#6 Edinboro (25-7 overall, 17-3 PSAC in 2024-25) 
  • Edinboro finished last season with a 25-7 overall record and finished as the runner-up in the PSAC tournament after a loss to Kutztown.
  • The Fighting Scots have a young team but return three seniors and two juniors.
  • Key returners for Edinboro are Senior Forward Ava Haddad (.521 FG%, 22 blk, 287 pts) and 2024-25 PSAC West Freshman of the Year Rachael Manfredo (.561 FG% and 42 blks)
  • Edinboro kicks off their season on November 7 hosting the D2CCA Tip-Off Tournament and start conference play on December 6 against Lock Haven.
 
#7 Slippery Rock (7-19 overall, 4-16 PSAC in 2024-25) 
  • The 2025-26 season marks the third year of head coach Ryenn Micaletti leading the Slippery Rock University women's basketball program. Following a five-win improvement from her first year to last season, Micaletti will once again oversee a program looking to take another step towards contention.  
  • Seven athletes from last year’s team are back on the roster for 2025-26 including key contributors Regan Atkins (11.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.1 spg), Sophia Hook (9.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg), Alyssa Gillin (7.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 15 blocks) and Kayley Joseph-Bernard (6.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.1 blocks).
  • Among The Rock’s top newcomers are the guard-forward Division I transfer duo of Karianna Woods (Bethune-Cookman) and Laney Bone (UNC Asheville) as well as freshman guard Iyanna Wade, who graduated from Clairton High School as the WPIAL’s second all-time leading scorer with 3,119 career points.
  • Prior to the official start of its 2025-26 season, Slippery Rock will play an exhibition at Division I Duquesne University. SRU opens its regular season slate with games against Charleston and Davis & Elkins at the Atlantic Region Challenge.
 
#8 Pitt-Johnstown (3-24 overall, 1-19 PSAC in 2024-25)
  • D’wan Shackleford -Vickroy begins her second season as head coach of the Pitt-Johnstown women’s program
  • Pitt-Johnstown returns four starters and nine letter-winners
  • Pitt-Johnstown also added six freshmen and Slippery Rock transfer Anye Washington (JR, G) to the 2025-26 roster