The Atlantic 10 will look different this season, with five new head coaches and only seven of last season’s 18 All-Conference players returning, including zero from the All-Conference first team. Ten teams have at least six players that have been added since the beginning of last season, seven teams return less than half of their minutes played from last year and eight teams return less than half of their points scored from last season.
Around the conference, coaches expect the A10 to be competitive, including Saint Louis head coach Rebecca Tillett.
“I think one thing we have all learned about the A10 is we’re consistently competitive every single year, from the top team to the 14th team in the league. There’s great coaches. There’s great players …” Tillett told The IX Sports. “So it’ll be interesting to see who everybody is in 10 games. … I think in 10 games we’ll know a lot more about where the league stands. But I expect us to be an elite league again.”
The A10 has seen many teams find success over the last few years. Six different schools have won the Atlantic 10 Tournament for the first time in the last six seasons and nine different schools have won it over the last nine tournaments.
Let’s break down what each team looks like heading into this season, in alphabetical order.
All names, positions and heights are from team websites, and statistics are from College Basketball Reference unless otherwise hyperlinked. (Note: there may be small differences across sources because some A10 teams played at least one non-Division I opponent last season, and certain sources only count games against Division I opponents. Additionally, top/leading scorer refers to total points scored that season.)
Davidson
2025-26 record: 21-12 (12-6, 4th A10)
Preseason ranking: 2nd
Percentage of minutes returning: 62.3%
Percentage of points returning: 55.5%
Last year, the Wildcats reached the 20-win mark for the first time under head coach Gayle Fulks and the first time since the 2012-13 season.
Davidson’s top scorer last season, senior guard Charlise Dunn, was drafted by the Toronto Tempo.
The team does return three of the top five scorers from last season and four starters, including senior guard/forward Katie Donovan. She was third in Division I in 3-point field goal percentage last year, shooting 45.8% from behind the arc.
Fulks is excited about the unselfishness her team has displayed during the preseason.
“[They’re] also very skilled, so they’re able to make a lotta different types of plays,” she told The IX Sports. “But I do think you’re gonna find that this team’s gonna be one of the most balanced teams that we’ve ever had. And on any given night, you could see seven or eight different people in double figures.”
Key returners (last season’s stats):
G Kyra Bruyndoncx, 5’11: 9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists
G/F Katie Donovan, 5’11: 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference second team. Led the A10 in 3-point field goal percentage (45.8%), third in Division I.
F Ines Garcia Monje, 6’2: 5.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals
Key losses (last season’s stats):
G Charlise Dunn, 6’2: 15.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference first team and All-Academic team.
Newcomers:
- F Georgia Ferguson, 6’3
- G/F Sharni Reisinger, 6′
- G Sveva Bernasconi, 6′
- G/F Lilli Onnela, 6′
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 2 at Columbia
Nov. 5 vs. Virginia
Nov. 8 vs. Campbell
Nov. 24 vs. Notre Dame (Battle 4 Atlantis)
Nov. 26 vs. Florida (Battle 4 Atlantis)
Dec. 6 at N.C. State
Dec. 9 vs. Vanderbilt
Dec. 13 vs. Radford
Dec. 17 at Georgetown
Dec. 20 vs. Mississippi State
Head coach: Gayle Fulks, 10th season
Coach’s perspective:
Last year we had a great year. We made it to the [semifinals of the A10 Tournament], but we were disappointed with that finish. We wanted to take that next step into Sunday for the final and give ourselves a chance to cut down the nets. And I think for us this year, those lessons are: hey, we gotta be a little stronger. We gotta be a little tougher. It’s three really tough games in three days, or four games in four days, or five in five. You’ve gotta not only be physically ready, but mentally ready as well. And so we’ve been throwing … some different things at our girls this preseason. We’re playing a really challenging nonconference schedule to sorta prepare us for that, and playing a lotta different types of teams. And that’s what our conference is — a lotta different types of teams. And that quick turnaround [in the conference tournament] really does challenge you. So we’re trying to prepare ourselves a little bit more for that.
On the nonconference schedule: We’re playing six Power Fours [and two more at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament]. We have three of those at home, which is really big time for our program and our fan base. And I think that just adding those games, I mean, the NCAA going to 32 [games], we’re really taking advantage of playing all 32 this year. And just what that gives a team [is] chances to grow. I think when you get to play that many different types of teams, you can get a lot more answers than if they’re really spaced out. And so I do like having more games. I think that our kids are excited about that too: less practice, more games. … It’s a lot of really good teams, a lotta great coaches, and it’s gonna challenge us and make us better.
Dayton
2025-26 record: 17-14 (9-9, 7th A10)
Preseason ranking: 5th
Percentage of minutes returning: 56.8%
Percentage of points returning: 54.3%
Head coach Tamika Williams-Jeter believes the seven returners learned from the team’s season-ending 87-85 overtime loss to No. 2 seed George Mason in the quarterfinals of the A10 Tournament.
“I think you gotta get there and feel it and have it ripped away from you. And I think that happened to our team last year [in the] George Mason game …” Williams-Jeter told The IX Sports.
“I think for them, they’ve come so close to it, this particular group that’s returning, that they’ve tasted it and now they want it all. And so they fought for it from a culture standpoint. We don’t have issues.”
She knows her team wants a 20-win season, a winning nonconference record and to be dominant at home.
“A lot of our big games are home games,” Williams-Jeter said. “We really only go on the road at Belmont and in [Henrico], of course, when we play Florida State and St. John’s. All the rest of our games are at home, so, being undefeated at home is a big deal. Really good Dayton teams in the past under [Jim] Jabir and Shauna Green … have been very dominant at home cause we have great crowd support, and they’ve been 20+ win seasons.”
Key returners:
G Olivia Leung, 5’10: 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists
G/F Ajok Madol, 6’3: 7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals
F/C Molly O’Riordan, 6’2: 7.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks
C Fatima Ibrahim, 6’3: 7.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks
Key losses:
G Nayo Lear, 5’10: 14.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference third team.
G Nicole Stephens, 5’7: 10.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. All-Academic team.
Newcomers:
- G Cori Allen, 5’10
- F London Johnson, 6′
- F Brooke McLeod, 6’2
- G Milee Smith, 5’10
- G Sophie Swanson, 5’10
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 5 vs. Illinois State
Nov. 9 vs. Penn State
Nov. 20 at Belmont
Nov. 23 vs. Xavier
Nov. 27 vs. Florida State (4 Tha Culture Classic)
Nov. 28 vs. St. John’s (4 Tha Culture Classic)
Dec. 19 vs. Purdue
Head coach: Tamika Williams-Jeter, 5th season
Coach’s perspective:
On the highlight of her offseason: I mean, in this day and age, I would probably say retaining all of our production that we could. I think retention in this conference has been [key for] the teams who can stay at the top. … Of course we weren’t able to keep Nayo Lear and Nicole [Stephens], two big pieces and a lot of our production. I think … experience wins games. I think it pulls you through, and just [to] be able to retain a big core of our kids who played a lotta minutes outside of those two [and the culture that comes with it] is probably a highlight cause it is not the norm.
I think we have very talented young kids who are kinda learning under the gun right now. I think that nonconference sets them up for the highs and lows that come with the season. And then just adding two big pieces like Cori Allen and Sophie Swanson, who have come in and have really produced at a high level early, just getting them the synergy with the rest of that core … of the rest of the players who returned. So for me, I think what I wanna see through the season is how much the nonconference will help build us. How battle-tested will we be going into conference [play] because of our nonconference? So I think that’s kinda where I’m going with it. And then when we get to conference [play], can we be at a space where we can put ourselves in position to win it, just like everybody else. So I think [the] big thing for me is the battle test of the nonconference.
Rep The IX Sports at your next game!
Shop the logo collection or special “Women’s Sports are Front Page News” collection now on Shopify.
Duquesne
2025-26 record: 12-19 (4-14, 12th A10)
Preseason ranking: 12th
Percentage of minutes returning: 31.0%
Percentage of points returning: 28.8%
Of the 13 players on the team this year, head coach Dan Burt told The IX Sports on Oct. 9 that 11 of them were vying for a starting spot.
Burt is excited for the return of guard Nadia Moore, who appeared in just six games last year due to injury.
He referred to her as “probably the best player in our program” and said, “She’s back and she’s healthy and we’re really excited about her coming back and playing a lotta minutes for us.”
Burt wants the team to reach 20 wins and the postseason, which he said is “always the standard at Duquesne.”
Key returners:
G Gabby Grantham-Medley, 5’9: 7.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists
G Nadia Moore, 5’10: 12.8 points and 3.0 rebounds (six games)
Key Losses:
G Alexis Bordas, 5’8: 15.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals. 2025-26 All-Rookie team. Led the A10 in made 3-pointers per game (2.9)
G Mackenzie Blackford, 5’8: 10.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals
G Reina Green, 5’9: 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals
F Harriet Ford, 6’3: 6.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists
Newcomers:
- G Ayala Oren, 5’6
- G De’Naya Rippey, 5’10
- G Amaya Robinson, 5’6
- G Carla Viegas, 5’9
- G Bakhaw Seye, 6’4
- C Dieymarie Diouf, 6’6
- G Dalma Grets, 5’10
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 2 at Tennessee
Nov. 16 vs. Robert Morris
Nov. 21 vs. Stony Brook
Dec. 20 at Pitt
Head coach: Dan Burt, 14th season
Coach’s perspective:
We have a lot of newcomers. We have three true freshmen, but two of those freshmen were playing at a very high level overseas. And so we have high expectations for them immediately.
Dieymarie [Diouf] is a legitimate 6’6, strong, powerful, athletic center that can score facing or with her back to the basket. She is an elite-level shot blocker. And so, being able to play her with Raevin Washington together gives us a very big … front line of 6’5 and 6’6. Bakhaw Seye [who was on Duquesne’s roster last season but did not play] is a 6’4, 6’5 guard … and she’s a lot like [Dallas Wings forward] Awak [Kuier]. … We’ve got some young kids from overseas that are incredibly talented, gifted and every day just trying to help them absorb not only the culture of the United States, but what our basketball culture is at Duquesne. Ayala Oren from Israel is a very good player.
Our county game and our City [Game] are important to us because local basketball and girls basketball matters to us. So we play Robert Morris at home in November, and then we have the City Game [at Pitt] in December.
Fordham
2025-26 record: 10-20 (2-16, 14th A10)
Preseason ranking: 13th
Percentage of minutes returning: 53.6%
Percentage of points returning: 62.0%
The Rams return their top three scorers from last season and seven players overall. In his first year, head coach Neil Harrow brought in seven newcomers from five countries as he looks to “reestablish” the program.
Guard Alexis Black was the only player to average more than 10 points per game last year, and Harrow wants it to be different this season. He wants Fordham to be known as a team with six or seven players that can score more than 12 points on any given night, but acknowledges that there will be two players that will shoot more shots than the others.
“It’s not just gonna be one person,” he told The IX Sports. “And I think that’s been the whole message. It can’t just be one or two people. It has to be a group effort. It has to be balanced. … It’s harder to be a team with multiple people averaging 10-12 points rather than one person averaging 20 or 25.”
Harrow also wants his team to be known as a team that “plays a good style of modern basketball,” moves and shares the ball and generates high-percentage shots.
Fordham is still working on building their defensive identity, but Harrow wants the team to be hard to score on, keep the ball out of the paint, limit open 3-point shots and rebound well.
Key returners:
G Alexis Black, 5’9: 16.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals
G Carryn Easley, 5’5: 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals
F Ugne Sirtautaite, 6’3: 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds (20 games)
Key losses:
F Emma Wilson-Saltos, 5’11: 5.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals
Newcomers:
- G Khloe Moye, 5’7
- F Iva Sanseovic, 6’2
- F Zala Srot, 6’1
- G Caitlyn Martin, 5’4
- G Ella Averill, 6’1
- G Joy Osigwe, 5’8
- G Olivia Kulyk, 6’1
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 17 at Campbell
Nov. 19 at Duke
Dec. 20 at Penn State
Head coach: Neil Harrow, 1st season
Coach’s perspective:
On how he hopes his team grows this season: We’ve talked a lot offensively about taking this team from, I think, statistically … the lowest offense in the league in several categories, to being much improved. … I don’t want people to think defense isn’t important; it’s extremely important. But at the end of the day, you have to put points on the board. We have to revamp the offense and make it a lot more balanced, versatile, and just create quality shots for each other. … I would say that that’s a big focus for us to just become one of the better offensive teams in the conference while obviously still putting a big emphasis on the defensive [end].
We put together a [nonconference] schedule where I think we can be very competitive. I think we can stack some wins early and gain some confidence. I love that it’s very regional. … Outside of Duke and Campbell … everybody [we’re playing] is a drive, which I love. I love that we’re not flying a lot nonconference right now. It allows us to play … regional competition and not get exhausted by a lot of travel. We can really put some time together in the classroom as well. We’re not gone for a lot [of time]. And we can also get appropriate rest and stuff. I think sometimes when you’re flying here, there, and everywhere [in the] nonconference, it can affect you later in the season. So, really happy that a lot of it’s regional, driving distance stuff, regional competition. And I really think we’re gonna expect to win a lotta those games. So, I love that. I love that we put together … our schedule like that. And then of course, yeah, it’s gonna be great to go down to Duke and be tested against one of the best teams in the country. And go to Penn State and play a Big Ten opponent. Those are gonna be different challenges, but equally as important.
George Mason
2025-26 record: 23-10 (16-2, 2nd A10)
Preseason ranking: 4th
Percentage of minutes returning: 15.3%
Percentage of points returning: 15.2%
George Mason returns three players who were co-regular season champions last season, including just one of the team’s top eight scorers, and adds 10 new players.
“It is exciting to be back in EagleBank Arena. New season, new faces, same standard, same level of excellence, same goals to compete for championships,” head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis told reporters after the team’s Oct. 24 exhibition game.
Seven players scored in double figures in the team’s exhibition game, on the way to a 99-57 win against Mount St. Mary’s. Blair-Lewis believes this is the deepest team she’s had since coming to George Mason in 2021.
Junior guard/forward Summer Yancy enjoyed playing with her new teammates in EagleBank Arena for the first time.
“We really love to get the ball, get in transition, get a steal, stuff like that that’ll spark us,” she told reporters.
“But I think one thing that a lotta teams don’t have that we do is our bond. … [We] had so many assists and just created for each other. I think that started off the court this summer and we really just emphasize that on the court.”
Key returner:
G Mary Amoateng, 5’8: 8.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals. 2025-26 All-Defensive team, All-Rookie team .
Key losses:
F Zahirah Walton, 5’11: 18.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference first team.
G Kennedy Harris, 5’7: 14.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference first team, All-Academic team.
G Jada Brown, 5’6: 6.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals
F MJ Johnson, 6’3: 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists
F Louis Volker, 6’1: 6.0 points and 4.7 rebounds
Newcomers:
- G Madison Bob, 5’11
- F Roisin Grandberry, 6’4
- F Desirae Ashton, 6′
- G Tia Dobson, 5’7
- G Anovia Sheals, 5’11
- F Lourdes Da Silva Costa, 6’3
- G Kailani Merrell, 6′
- G/F Summer Yancy, 5’11
- F Mary-Kate Tshibuabua, 6’1
- G Irati Franco Dominguez, 6′
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 8 at Maryland
Nov. 11 at Army
Nov. 18 at Princeton
Nov. 21 vs. James Madison
Nov. 24 at Longwood
Nov. 27 vs. Vermont (Puerto Rico Clasico)
Nov. 28 vs. Providence (Puerto Rico Clasico)
Dec. 7 at Navy
Dec. 20 vs. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Head coach: Vanessa Blair-Lewis, 6th season
Coach’s perspective:
On how she hopes the team grows this season: I think that we have a lotta players that can put the ball in the hole. So, trusting each other, making the extra pass, sharing the ball, coming together defensively because … I believe we have a talented team of defensive players. And I think that some of the defensive strategies that we wanna implement, they can be really, really good at them, just being able to have some games under their belt and having some real situations to be able to grow.
On who she expects to step up as a leader: We did not bring back a starter this year. … So now you have just a really brand new team coming together and I think that [leadership is] gonna come from a lotta different ways. But I think Mary [Amoateng] … has been a leader of this team and has come back in her sophomore campaign after a very successful freshman year. Our captains are Summer Yancy, [Mary Amoateng and Trinity Massenburg].
[Summer] provides a calming voice on the floor. She’s really high IQ. She knows how to communicate at a high level, like an extension of the coaching staff. Trinity [Massenburg], who’s been here four years … she brings that standard, like this is the standard, this is our level of excellence.
But I don’t think it’s just gonna come from one place. I think we recruited a lotta young ladies who have a great voice and that can be a great leader for this program.
George Washington
2025-26 record: 18-18 (7-11, 10th A10)
Preseason ranking: 3rd
Percentage of minutes returning: 63.6%
Percentage of points returning: 69.7%
The Revolutionaries made their first postseason appearance since the 2018 NCAA Tournament last year, making it to the Great Eight of the WNIT before losing to Illinois State. George Washington returns five players from last season, including four of its top five scorers.
Head coach Ganiyat Adeduntan tells all of her teams, “winning is not easy, especially on the road.” The Revolutionaries went 4-11 on the road last season.
“I want this group to understand the magnitude of not wasting moments and possessions and minutes in a practice setting, because it can come back and affect us or haunt us in ways that would ultimately affect the outcome of a game,” she told The IX Sports. “So we were able to grow throughout last season and see the work actually come to fruition in their buy-in, not just by words but by action.
“But also … when the games were over, especially [in] the WNIT, I could tell that our players were giving maximum effort. You can tell when they’re playing really, really hard and they’re competing at a high level. So I’m hoping that we can take some of those learned experiences of what it felt [like] when we didn’t give everything, and what it felt [like] when we did. And what the outcome was when we did.”
Key returners:
G Gabby Reynolds, 5’9: 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference third team.
F Sara Lewis, 6’1: 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists
F Kamari Sims, 6’1: 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists
Key loss:
G/F Emma Theodorsson, 6’1: 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds
Newcomers:
F Cam Rust, 6’1
G Amor Harris, 5’9
G Ayla Habbal, 5’7
F Camryn Gunter, 6’2
F N’na Konate, 6’3
G Bela Cucuta, 5’10
G Anne Bair, 5’8
G Alicia Newell, 5’9
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 5 at West Virginia
Nov. 11 vs. Georgetown
Nov. 14 vs. Long Island University
Nov. 20 at Howard
Nov. 25 vs. Arizona (Scout Jacksonville Classic)
Dec. 5 at Brown
Dec. 18 at Northwestern
Dec. 21 vs. Maine
Head coach: Ganiyat Adeduntan, 2nd
Coach’s perspective:
On who she expects to step up/continue to shine this season: I think our returners will be great for us, from Gabby Reynolds to Sara Lewis, Kamari Sims, Tanah Becker, Jaeda Wilson. They played a lotta minutes last year, so they’ll be relied on again in not necessarily the same way but in a big capacity. And then with transfers coming in, you have Alicia Newell, who played at Richmond, so she’s very familiar with the league and is a competitor. So she’ll be one. Anne Bair is another one that I coached previously at Colgate, so she understands what I want, what it looks like, what it should look like. She has a joy for playing and wants to win at a high level, so she’s a great add for us for sure. We got some size with N’na Konate inside, who came from Campbell, who’s just another one that’s just a joy and wants to compete, is a great teammate. So, just growth and development across the board will be needed as the season goes on for everyone. But we are excited about the pieces that we’ve been able to put together.
On what excites her about the nonconference schedule: That it’s really challenging. … We play some P4 schools. We play [a] BIG EAST [school]. We play teams that press. We play teams that zone. … We play athletic teams. We play teams that space the floor. … We have to be able to challenge and test ourselves in the nonconference and not have unrealistic expectations going into league play, which happens quickly in December. But we wanna be able to know our group now, so that we know what we need to continue to work on, so that when those league games really come into play in the new year, we’re gonna be ready to go.
La Salle
2025-26 record: 19-14 (10-8, 6th A10)
Preseason ranking: 10th
Percentage of minutes returning: 42.5%
Percentage of points returning: 40.9%
The Explorers lost their top two scorers and bring a largely inexperienced team into the season, with no seniors and only two players going into their third year on the court for a Division I basketball team.
“We’re trying to get old …” head coach Mountain MacGillivray told The IX Sports. “And so we gotta get these kids who are in their second year or first year at the Division I level some experience.”
La Salle will play in the FDU Holiday Classic to wrap up nonconference play, which MacGillivray said will be the team’s midterm exam, and he looks forward to seeing where the team is then.
Key returners:
G Joanie Quinn, 5’9: 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals
F Kiara Williams, 6′: 9.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists
Key losses:
G Ashleigh Connor, 5’11: 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference second team.
G Aryss Macktoon, 5’11: 15.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.2 steals. 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year, All-Conference second team, All-Defensive team. Led the A10 in steals per game, 13th in Division I.
Newcomers:
- G Hassana Amadu, 5’9
- G Sophi Hutchison, 5’7
- F Ioanna Samanta, 5’11
- G Emilia Coleman, 5’11
- G Olivia Ostoni, 5’9
- G Zynaye Henry, 5’8
- G Tiana Thompson, 5’9
- G Vivien Nejašmic, 6′
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 4 at Rutgers
Nov. 15 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 24 at Villanova
Dec. 6 vs. TBD (Big 5 Classic)
Dec. 12 at Iona
Dec. 15 vs. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Dec. 19 vs. UC San Diego (FDU Holiday Classic)
Dec. 20 vs. FDU/Youngstown State (FDU Holiday Classic)
Head coach: Mountain MacGillivray, 9th season
Coach’s perspective:
The kids who are returning this year, they saw what it looks like when you build some momentum, and the community starts to come out and celebrate your success. And they got a taste of that, and they want some more. We had [a] WNIT game here at home, and we had a full house. And [it] was fun to play in front of that; it was fun to get the tournament win. And I think having a taste of that, they wanna get back there, and they are gonna challenge these newcomers to do what it takes to get there.
On what excites him about the upcoming season: Seeing the continued growth of the returning players who had a lotta weight on their shoulders last year in [Kiara] Williams and [Joanie] Quinn. Seeing [Lauren] Patnode take another step forward and seeing a kid like Vivien [Nejašmic] have a chance to come to a new place and see what she can make of it. If those four are able to surpass their own personal expectations and do better than they did last year, it’s gonna be a lot of fun. So I wanna see how that goes because we know there’s gonna be a little bit of a roller coaster with the younger players. But the returners … they got strong shoulders, and I’m looking forward to seeing them carry some of the load.
Loyola Chicago
2025-26 record: 16-18 (9-9, 8th A10)
Preseason ranking: 14th
Percentage of minutes returning: 31.6%
Percentage of points returning: 32.6%
First-year head coach Morgan Paige is excited to watch her players develop as leaders.
“I think we have a lot of people that are on our roster that have not had the space or opportunity to step up and be primary pieces, and they have the skill and talent to do so,” she told The IX Sports. “So I’m excited to empower them, uplift them and pick them up as we continue to grow through this.”
The Ramblers return four players from last season, including only two of the top six scorers — and none of the top three — and add eight newcomers.
Key returner:
F Brooklyn Vaughn, 5’11: 8.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals
Key losses:
G/F Alex-Anne Bessette, 6’2: 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference third team, All-Rookie team.
G Alexa Kinas, 5’8: 9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.4 steals
G Alexus Mobley, 5’7: 11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 steals
Newcomers
- F Gabby Wilke, 6’2
- G MD Ntambue, 5’9
- G Jasmine Perry, 5’5
- G Mireia Jurado, 6′
- F Angela Le Faou, 6’5
- G Vasiliki Cholopoulou, 5’10
- G Hailey Johnson, 5’11
- F Gemma Wichmann, 6′
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 7 at Green Bay
Nov. 11 vs. Arkansas State
Nov. 17 at Illinois State
Nov. 21 at Western Illinois
Nov. 24 vs. DePaul
Dec. 6 at Iowa State
Dec. 16 vs. Northwestern
Dec. 20 at Southern Indiana
Dec. 23 vs. Colorado State
Head coach: Morgan Paige, 1st season
Coach’s perspective:
On who she expects to step up this year: I have to start for sure with Brooklyn Vaughn. I think, as our premium returner and someone who has played through the … Atlantic 10 … she plays so hard, and she has the experience to be able to back on. And I think she’s done an excellent job of showing the way to our new faces and transfers, as well as setting the tone every day of what it looks like to work hard and compete. I’ve been really impressed with her progress, and I think you’re really gonna … see a different kind of role this year, but also flourish in that role.
On the nonconference schedule: It’s very exciting because it’s gonna be very challenging. I think we’re gonna learn a lot about our group early. We’ve got some premier mid-major powerhouses that have won their championships in their leagues. We have … [Northwestern]. And we’re … going on the road to Iowa State this year. I feel like we’re gonna be walking into Christmas with an understanding of, well, this is how you have to play to win. And so having those types of tests early only prepares you for conference play when every single game is a grind to try and make a difference in the conference.
Scores are only part of the story.
Unlock full access.
Rhode Island
2025-26 record: 28-5 (16-2, 1st A10)
Preseason ranking: 9th
Percentage of minutes returning: 15.5%
Percentage of points returning: 11.4%
Fourth-year guard Sophia Vital is the only returning player who saw the court last season for the reigning A10 Tournament champions, second-year guard Amori Jarrett redshirted, and head coach Colleen Mullen said that retaining Vital was “huge.”
“She’s such a talented point guard, and the league is certainly familiar with her ability, being an All-Conference player and [on the] All-Tournament team last year,” she told The IX Sports.
“She’s just so crafty with the ball, and she plays both ends. She’s so pesky on defense, but just creates for so many people … [and] makes everybody around her better. … Our team’s gonna go as Soph goes.”
Mullen expects the leading scorer to be by committee, with different players having opportunities to step up. The team has 11 new players, including five first years, four transfers from UAlbany, where Mullen previously coached, and two transfers from other Division I programs.
Key returner:
G Sophia Vital, 5’3: 7.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference second team.
Key losses:
G Brooklyn Gray, 5’11: 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference first team, All-Academic team. Led the A10 in free throw percentage (90.5%).
F Palmire Mbu, 6’1: 10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 blocks. 2025-26 All-Conference third team.
G Vanessa Harris, 5’10: 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists. 2025-26 Sixth Woman of the Year, All-Rookie team.
C Albina Syla, 6’5: 9.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Led the A10 in field goal percentage (53.8%).
G Ines Debroise, 5’9: 9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals. 2025-26 All-Defensive team.
Newcomers:
- G Mia Fiore, 5’10
- G Katie Liggio, 5’8
- G Alex Newson, 5’10
- G Anaïs Levasseur, 5’8
- G Martina Borrellas, 6’1
- F Amaya Stewart, 6’1
- G Ioana Savu, 5’10
- F Naiara Martinez Quintana
- G Delanie Hill, 5’7
- F Lauren Bousquet, 5’11
- F Queen Ikhiuwu, 6’1
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 3 at West Virginia
Nov. 6 vs. Columbia
Nov. 8 vs. University of South Florida
Nov. 14 at St. John’s
Nov. 25 at Holy Cross
Dec. 7 vs. Providence
Dec. 10 at Princeton
Dec. 13 vs. Maine
Head coach: Colleen Mullen, 1st season
Coach’s perspective:
I think we wanna be in the top of the A10 … in terms of field goal percentage defense, in terms of how we defend and how we rebound. I think we wanna set a tone with that, cause … as chemistry on offense grows, if you can really focus on the defensive end and be a top-level team defensively in the league, you can compete with anybody on any given night. And defense and rebounding travels. So I think certainly one of the goals is to be one of the top defensive teams. And I think the other goal is obviously … just to continue to get better every day. So as we start conference play in December, when we open up with St. Joe’s, being able to take all the nonconference games and learn and build from that. But through the conference season, seeing growth and development in terms of our offense. And … then emerging towards the end of the season as a team that takes care of the ball and is … competing to win [and] for championships.
On the nonconference schedule: I think it’s just really competitive. I think it’s gonna give us a huge challenge. I mean, just playing some of the top teams and NCAA Tournament teams from last year. Certainly, opening up at West Virginia is no easy feat. They had a tremendous season last year, and [have] a great coaching staff. But also playing teams like Princeton and Columbia [who were] picked first and second in the Ivy League. And South Florida. I think there’s a lotta challenge in there, so that we understand what kind of high-level basketball we have to be in, that is gonna better prepare us for the Atlantic 10. So I think that having this challenging nonconference schedule is really gonna allow us to learn a lot about who we are and what our identity is before we get into conference play.
Richmond
2025-26 record: 26-8 (15-3, 3rd A10)
Preseason ranking: 8th
Percentage of minutes returning: 36.1%
Percentage of points returning: 28.7%
The Spiders return one of their top six scorers from last season and retain five players who were underclassmen last season. Guard Ally Sweeney is the only senior on the team, and center Harriet Ford (transfer from Duquesne) and guard Payton Richard are the only juniors.
Head coach Alisa Kresge is looking forward to watching the team’s chemistry continue to develop.
“That’s one of the biggest things that I’m excited for as this group continues to gel and learn each other, and learn our system and our philosophy …” she told The IX Sports.
“And they’re competitors, so I know they’re gonna compete. But when everything is gelling at the same time, and you have competitors, a lotta good things can happen.”
Key returner:
G Ally Sweeney, 5’6: 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference second team. Led the A10 in assists per game.
Key losses:
F Maggie Doogan, 6’2: 21.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 blocks. 2025-26 Player of the Year, All-Conference first team, All-Academic team. Led the A10 in points per game.
G Rachel Ullstrom, 6’1: 13.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference first team.
G Alicia Newell, 5’9: 7.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 steals
Newcomers:
- C Harriet Ford, 6’3
- G Emma Schoen, 5’7
- F Arisa Ihara, 6′
- F Hanna Tjernberg, 6’3
- F Alexandra Vandiver, 6’1
- G Kate Schindler, 6′
- G Bridget Rifenburg, 6′
- F Josie Fontana, 6’3
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 6 vs. Princeton
Nov. 8 vs. Rice
Nov. 22 vs. Holy Cross
Nov. 27 vs. St. John’s (4 Tha Culture Holiday Classic)
Dec. 20 at College of Charleston
Dec. 22 vs. Campbell
Head coach: Alisa Kresge, 1st season
Coach’s perspective
On who she expects to step up this season: No surprise, Ally Sweeney. … She [had] a big role, but I think she’s gonna have to step up in even more ways. She played a lotta minutes. She put up great numbers. She made teammates better. And being that vocal leader is another layer of her game … that’s something that we’re gonna need from her. And so she’s definitely a big piece of what Richmond has been about and what [it] will continue to be about. But then we have a decent amount of sophomores that were here last year that were just behind really talented players, and they were young and they were learning the college game, the speed, the intensity and all the things that come with coming to college. And so with that, I think Aneisha Scott, Rayne Wright, Ava [Persichetti], the three of them … have a year under their belt [and] are players that I think have really stepped up from the little time that we’ve had together so far, and from what they were able to show everybody last year. And so that’s gonna be really important. Then we have a couple first-years that I think are gonna get opportunities. They’ve earned it. And cause we’re so young, they’re gonna have an opportunity to step in and, I think, hopefully help us win some basketball games.
On what excites her about the nonconference schedule: How competitive it’s gonna be. There’s great programs that consistently do it the right way and win on a national level. And so they’re gonna challenge us. We’re gonna be challenged in so many ways. And it’s not gonna be easy. …
So I think that … it’s gonna prepare us for A10 [play]. [The] A10 is an outstanding league [with] outstanding players, outstanding coaches. And we gotta be ready for that. And so our nonconference, I definitely think, is gonna challenge us as long as we stay together and locked in through the bumps and bruises that come with that. I think it is a really good nonconference schedule to get you prepared for a great league.
St. Bonaventure
2025-26 record: 17-16 (7-11, 9th A10)
Preseason ranking: 11th
Percentage of minutes returning: 61.1%
Percentage of points returning: 45.4%
The Bonnies finished last season with the most wins, most conference wins and the first postseason appearance since the 2015-16 season, the last year of head coach Jim Crowley’s first stint at the school. He’d like to see the team continue to “[move] forward in the conference.”
St. Bonaventure went 6-10 on the road last year, and Crowley would like his team to play better away from the Reilly Center this year.
“Playing on the road, we had a number of games against really quality opponents … [that] were one-possession games in the second half or we had leads and we didn’t end up finishing off those games,” Crowley told The IX Sports. “So we wanna get better in that way. …
“And just establish some more consistency. There was [times] we played really well and then … I think we had a four- or five-game losing streak late in the year [and] we wanna try to avoid those.”
Key returners:
G Mackenzie Pettinelli, 5’10: 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals
G Ivona Djikanovic, 6′: 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists (22 games)
Key losses:
G Laycee Drake, 5’6: 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals
G Aaliyah Parker, 5’9: 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.2 steals
Newcomers:
- F Jordyn Williams, 5’11
- G Lola Gralton, 6′
- F/G Ella Trinkaus, 6’1
- F Kyla Hayes, 6′
- G Kay Donahue, 5’10
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 14 vs. Binghamton
Nov. 23 vs. Chattanooga (Georgia State Thanksgiving Tournament)
Dec. 11 vs. Howard
Head coach: Jim Crowley, 4th season (second stint, previously served as head coach from 2000-16)
Coach’s perspective
All but four players return for the Bonnies. On who he believes will step up this season after the departure of the team’s top two scorers from last year: [Mackenzie] Pettinelli has got to get into a bigger role. She’s played a lotta minutes for us and has done things at different positions. We really need her to really be a leader and an example for us on a daily basis. And Elyse MacDonough had some great minutes for us, especially late in the year, really got better. So, looking forward to her improvement. And then we had a number of players — [Brillana] Boyd had some good games for us, [Olivia] DiFranco, Kaylee Krysztof; all those folks have the opportunity to step into a bigger role. And looking forward to that.
On the nonconference schedule: I always like that we play a lotta local teams. I think those opportunities, whether it’s against Binghamton or Cornell or Canisius or [Buffalo], those opportunities are really good. And we get to face a great program in Chattanooga down in the [Georgia State Thanksgiving Tournament]. … Howard has been one of the most consistent mid-major programs over the last few years, and we get them in our building. So I think a really good opportunity for a challenging nonconference.
“Becoming Caitlin Clark” is out now!
Howard Megdal’s newest book is here! “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar” captures both the historic nature of Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.
Saint Joseph’s
2025-26 record: 20-11 (10-8, 5th A10)
Preseason ranking: 1st
Percentage of minutes returning: 79.7%
Percentage of points returning: 83.4%
The Hawks return seven of their top eight scorers from last season and are the first unanimous preseason favorite in four years. Head coach Cindy Griffin is excited about the depth of her team this year and believes they can go two or three deep depending on the position. She is looking forward to taking the next step with the team.
“We’re a little faster than what we once were. I think our speed really excites me. And our [challenging] schedule …” Griffin told The IX Sports.
“I believe that we’re gonna get … the team ready and [the team] has bought in. I just love that. I love that about our culture, about how they’re selfless and relentless in all areas, but especially with attacking this season. … Ten of the 15 players are returners; they know what’s expected every day.”
Griffin expects senior guard Gabby Casey to continue to shine as a scorer and leader, has seen senior guard Aleah Snead work to improve her free throw percentage and believes that junior guard Jill Jekot has improved the most in all areas. She would like for Jekot to average more than 10 points per game in her second season with the team.
Key returners:
G Gabby Casey, 5’9: 15.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals. 2025-26 Most Improved Player, All-Conference second team.
G Aleah Snead, 5’11: 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals. 2025-26 All-Conference third team.
G Rhian Stokes, 5’7: 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals
G Jill Jekot, 5’11: 7.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.3 steals
Key loss:
F Faith Stinson, 6’2: 8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists
Newcomers:
- G Addy Platt, 5’10
- F Jahzara Green, 6’1
- F Ebba Jägre, 6’1
- F Deja Evans, 6’2
- G Maddy Potts, 6′
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 11 at Cincinnati
Nov. 15 at Drexel
Nov. 22 at Penn State
Nov. 27 vs. USC (Baha Mar Hoops – Nassau Championship)
Nov. 29 vs. Illinois (Baha Mar Hoops – Nassau Championship)
Dec. 6 vs. TBD (Big 5 Classic)
Dec. 9 vs. Columbia
Dec. 20 vs. Holy Cross (Hawk Classic)
Head coach: Cindy Griffin, 26th season
Coach’s perspective:
On what excites her about the nonconference schedule: Playing teams … in the Power Four [conferences] that have been to the NCAA Tournament … And that’s really exciting, I think, for our players. If that’s one of our goals, to be in the NCAA Tournament, then we wanna play the teams that have experience doing that consistently. And you’ll see that with USC and with Illinois.
On how she’d like to see her team grow this season: We would like to improve our points [per game]. We wanna get into the 70s, high 60s, 70s on a consistent basis. And I think that comes with taking care of the ball and getting more possessions on offense. And I thought we started off really well last year with, obviously, the assists and all that, and then I think once we got into conference, we started to turn the ball over a little bit more. … And that gives us less opportunities … [to score]. So if we can get up to, I’m gonna say, like 5-6 more points, that would be tremendous for us in that area. And then … rebounding, I think that’s another area that we wanna grow.
Saint Louis
2025-26 record: (12-21, 5-13 11th A10)
Preseason ranking: 6th
Percentage of minutes returning: 46.3%
Percentage of points returning: 47.0%
Last season the Billikens allowed 67.3 points per game, 254th in Division I, and the fewest under head coach Rebecca Tillett.
This season, the team has seven players that are listed at at least 6’ tall.
“It’s the longest group I’ve ever coached, the tallest group I’ve ever coached …” Tillett said. “We believe that’s gonna make us much more disruptive defensively in terms of people being able to connect passes, people being able to hit shots on us.”
Reigning Rookie of the Year and All-Defensive team member, sophomore center Alyssa Koerkenmeier has taken steps as a leader in the offseason. Over the summer, she asked her teammates to go on a walk with her to get to know each other better.
Key returners:
C Alyssa Koerkenmeier, 6’6: 12.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 blocks. 2025-26 Rookie of the Year, All-Conference third team, All-Defensive team, All-Rookie team. Led the A10 in rebounds per game and blocks per game. Eighth in Division I in blocks per game.
G Jahda Denis, 5’7: 11.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals
Key losses:
G Zya Nugent, 5’9: 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals
G Alexia Nelson, 5’8: 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals
Newcomers:
- C Naomi Ikpotokin, 6’3
- G Tyonna Bailey, 5’10
- F Evelyn Shane, 6′
- C Jameela James, 6’5
- F D’Myjah Bolds, 6’3
- G Gabby Spink, 5’9
- G Peyton Olufson, 5’8
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 14 vs. Illinois State
Nov. 18 vs. Missouri State
Dec. 13 at Missouri
Dec. 20 vs. North Dakota State (West Palm Beach Classic)
Dec. 21 vs. San Diego State (West Palm Beach Classic)
Head coach: Rebecca Tillett, 5th season
Coach’s perspective:
One of our focuses in recruiting [was] just making sure that we’d have enough depth in the positions that we needed and also a pretty resilient roster that can withstand what’s coming in college basketball. We hit a tough shooting stretch last year that was pretty unprecedented for any of the teams that I’ve been a part of in coaching and playing. And so we’ve changed a few things up in … how we do our preparation for shooting. So, hopefully, looking forward to some results from that.
On the nonconference schedule: Really excited about some more home games this year. … We’ve been known in our better seasons for kinda peaking late, which is definitely what you wanna do. Also, we’d love some sustained excellence, and let’s peak early, middle and late. So, looking forward to some more home games.
The Drake Tournament, I think, will be a good test for us … They’ve always got a really, really competitive team and play an interesting style of basketball that can help prep us for some of our opponents in the A10. [The West Palm Beach Classic] we’re looking forward to. And then, of course, our home-and-away [alternating each season] that we play often with [Missouri].
Listen now to The IX Sports Podcast and Women’s Sports Daily
We are excited to announce the launch of TWO new podcasts for all the women’s sports fans out there looking for a daily dose of women’s sports news and analysis. Stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you listen to podcasts, and make sure to subscribe!
VCU
2025-26 record: 8-23 (4-14, 13th A10)
Preseason ranking: 7th
Percentage of minutes returning: 73.0%
Percentage of points returning: 70.6%
Last season, the Rams averaged 56.7 points per game, 332nd in Division I, and this season head coach Chelsea Banbury wants to play fast in her first season at VCU. During the 2025-26 season, her High Point team averaged 73.8 points per game, 50th in Division I.
“One thing about our team is we’re gonna play hard, and we’re gonna play together. And that’s what we focus on,” Banbury told The IX Sports. “And effort’s not our mistake. And if you come watch a game, we’re gonna play fast. We do like to get up and down in transition, but offensively and defensively, we’re gonna play as a team. … We emphasize we over me.”
VCU returns five of its top six scorers from last season and adds one senior transfer and one graduate student transfer from High Point as well as four freshmen.
Key returners:
G/F Katarina Kneževic, 6′: 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals
G Cyriah Griffin, 5’7: 7.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists
G Patricia Augustin, 5’10: 6.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.9 steals (16 games)
Key losses:
G Mary-Anna Asare, 5’8: 17.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals (seven games)
F Makennah White, 6’2: 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds
Newcomers:
- G Lexi Fleming, 5’5
- F Nicole Torresani, 5’10
- F GiGi Quist, 6’2
- G Macy Spencer, 5’8
- G Alexis Riggs, 5’11
- G Ada Toribio Saez, 5’5
Nonconference highlights:
Nov. 12 vs. Virginia Tech
Nov. 19 at Maine
Nov. 28 vs. Ohio State (4 Tha Culture Holiday Classic)
Nov. 29 vs. Florida State (4 Tha Culture Holiday Classic)
Head coach: Chelsea Banbury, 1st season
Coach’s perspective:
On who she’s expecting to step up this season: I think Macy Spencer is gonna have a big role on this team this year. Katarina [Kneževic], obviously, had a good season last year. I think once we get her back to practicing, I think she could really develop into a good player in the conference and for our team.
On what excites her about the nonconference schedule: We get to play a lot at home. We’re not on the road much. We get to stay around here in Richmond and compete. But we have a variety of levels that we’re playing, and it can really test us. Hopefully, it can build our confidence, but there’s also a few really good tests to see where we’re at and how we can compete against the P4 schools. So I like that there’s a mixture of that, and we could really have a good idea of where we’re at before conference [play] starts.
Enjoyed this story? Read more of our conference previews for the 2026-27 season!
