The W women's basketball team has been ranked second in the 2026-27 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) preseason coaches' poll, it was announced today. It is the loftiest pre-season ranking for the Owls in their four seasons in the SLIAC,
League coaches have selected Webster University as the 2026-27 preseason favorite in SLIAC women's basketball. The Gorloks earned 64 points and 8 first-place votes as they look to win their eighth consecutive conference title. Head Coach Jordan Olufson returns three starters from a squad that finished 19-9 overall and won the tournament title. Meghan Illingworth returns after leading the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game. Akaela Caquelin stood out as a freshman, putting up 10.0 points per game and leading the team with 49 three-pointers. Also back for the Gorloks are Rylee Webb, Kaimyla Nolan, Daijah Jones, and Emily Kerce. A trio of transfers, Brooklynn Burnett, Sydney Esperanza, and Gabby Douglass, along with freshman Harley Washington, adds to the team's size and depth.
MUW was picked 2nd with 53 points after going 6-18 last year. Head Coach
Eric Vaughn returns two starters while bringing in 11 newcomers. The duo of
Jakayla Smith (8.6 ppg) and
Fantasia Wilson (7.5 ppg) form the nucleus of the offense. Also returning are
Jessica Hughes and Kate Wilson. New arrivals to keep an eye on include Madison Odell, Atyia Allen,
Addison Howell, and
Cora Causey.
Coming in 3rd on the poll was Spalding University with 46 points. The Golden Eagles were 14-13 last year under head coach Raven Merriweather. The team returns just one starter, Brooke McNeal, while bringing in six newcomers. McNeal put up 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season. Among the new faces looking to step up for the team are Emma Owens, Ava Bucci, and Maree Gober.
Greenville University received the only other first-place nod and totaled 44 points. The Panthers went 9-17 last season, finishing 8-8 in conference play. Head Coach Roy Mulholland returns three starters and expects to run a full 10 players in its rotation. Rylee Hipp put up 8.9 points per game in limited time last season, hitting on 37 percent of her three-pointers. Cortney Brummer is the team's top returning forward, averaging 5.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Amelia Shoemaker and Mya Mann are also among the list of returners. Sam Taylor is an incoming point guard while Janiya Harrison and KayLynn Buttry add to the team's post depth.
Blackburn College was picked 5th with 31 points. Head Coach Allen Dehority guided the Beavers to their best season since 2014 and bring back their top three scorers from a team that finished 6-19 overall. Eizaenirys Allende Quionones averaged 15.4 points per game in her first year in Carlinville, putting her fourth in the league. India Harris is the team's top post player, scoring 11.7 points per game on 48-percent shooting. Kenadee Frey is a reliable guard, leading the team in minutes played, and averaged 11.3 points per game. Two new faces that could find their way into the rotation are Jasmine Garman and Kayla Collins.
Westminster College tallied 26 points and will be led by first-year head coach Peyton Whitted. The Blue Jays were 11-15 last season, going 10-6 in the SLIAC, but will need to establish their new identity on the court. Among the returners looking to take the next step are Madison Brown, Evalena Claxton, and Kiersten Powell. Newcomer Lyssa Sportsman will try to work her way into the team's rotation.
Principia College was chosen 7th with 24 points. The Panthers went 18-9 last season but graduated their entire starting lineup. Two of the returning seven players are Ellysa White and Erin Porter; who each played in at least 25 of the team's games last year. The program is coached by first-year head coach Gregory Brown.
Eureka College received 19 points as head coach Isaiah Pace will look to rebuild the program. This year he turned to a group loaded with junior college transfers to begin that process. The newcomers will be joined by returner Lailah Hadley. Hadley, a senior guard, averaged 8.6 points per game last year while dishing out a team-high 66 assists.
Lyon College finished with 17 points. The Scots lost a pair of All-Conference performers, including last year's Player of the Year, Natalya Kaza. Head Coach Matt Petersen walks into his first year with two returning starters in Molly Mason and Alyssa Abascal. Mason averaged 9.3 points per game while leading the team with 89 assists. Abascal put up 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, with Camya Porter also returning. Freshman Bella Seeman should be an impact player in the backcourt.
