BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The 2025-26 Gulf South Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll has been released and Lee Univeristy placed second behind defending GSC regular season and tournament champion Union University. The Lady Bulldogs received 10 first-place votes and up and coming University of Alabama in Huntsville the other two. Union had a total of 119 points and Lee 107. The University of Alabama-Huntsville (106), University of West Florida (92), and Valdosta State Univeristy (80) round out the top five.
"I am always humbled by the way our peers view our program," stressed Lee head coach Marty Rowe. "These polls ultimately do not influence anything once the ball goes up on opening weekend. We are excited for another season and especially the chance to compete again for a GSC championship. There is lots of work ahead of this team but again we are excited about the opportunity we have in front of us."
There was no Lady Flame voted to the Preseason All-GSC Team but transfers Hannah Jones (former Bradley Central standout) and Libby Privett, who comes from Wofford College, are listed on the GSC Newcomers to Watch.
Replacing Five Valuable Players
Coach Rowe, who has coached teams to 666 wins during his outstanding career, admits it will not be easy to replace Mallory Hampton, Haylee Johnson, Mia Hurst, Addison Smith, and Haley Cameron. The five completed their careers, having helped direct the Lady Flames to a 25-7 season in 2024-25.
Hampton spent three years with Lee after transferring from Samford University. She tallied almost 1500 points, shot 42% from 3-point range and made 90% of her free throws. She was Honorable Mention All-American, All-South Region and twice named First Team All-GSC.
Johnson averaged 20 more assists than any player in the GSC. The "Iron Lady" played more minutes than any Lady Flame. In a 3-OT contest against Montevallo, Johnson played for 53 minutes. She was named All-South and First Team All-GSC. Hurst, Smith and Cameron played major roles in the 25 wins.
Returners Must Step Up
Anna Muhonen heads a list of those who return and are expected to help led the 2025-26 squad. Muhonen started all 32 games last season and Coach Rowe will work to keep his veteran inside-force out of foul trouble and extend her playing time. Kara Williams was in the starting lineup 23 times last year. Blessed with a nice-shooting stroke from long range, she could be asked to pick up some of the scoring punch from the missing Hampton.
Without question, Baylee Delbridge was the toughest player during the 2024-25 year. She earned nine starts late and displayed an improved shooting touch. Bailey Burgess can play any of the guard positions and will also be called on to pick up some of the scoring. Abby McFarland came on strong late and has worked extra hard to become a versatile performer.
The Lady Flames have Keira Leffew and Milah Williams returning after missing last season recovering from injuries. Leffew had a solid freshman season. The 6-foot-1 redshirt sophomore could bring needed inside scoring and rebounding. Milah gives Lee size on the wing.
Excited About Transfers
Coach Rowe is excited about a pair of transfers. Hannah Jones is a 6-foot-1 inside player who comes to the Lady Flames from Johnson University (Knoxville). The former Bradley Central standout is a junior and is a welcomed addition. Libby Privett is a 5-foot-8 transfer guard from Wofford College. Her DI experience should help replace Hampton and Johnson.
Size, Quality Depth Could be Strengths
"We will need to wait and see what strengths become for this team," explained Coach Rowe. "It is a longer and more athletic group than we have had over the last several seasons, and hopefully depth can be a strength. Time will only tell if we can get quality depth that it takes to compete at the highest level in D2.
Looking for Court Leader
"We have a lot of unknowns at this time, as to who can emerge as our on-court leader. We have several players that will need to assume role changes and how they will handle those changes," noted the coach.
Lady Flames Face Top-10 Teams Early
Lee has faced the University of Tampa a couple of times in the NCAA DII National Tournament and have split the past two meetings, winning last season 66-63. The Spartans have reloaded and are picked to win the Sunshine State Conference title again this season.
Florida Southern College, another member of the SSC, will join Lee and UAH for the annual GSC/SSC Challenge which will be hosted in Walker Arena on Nov. 14-15.
Talk about DII powerhouses, Coach Rowe has invited Ashland University (Ohio) for a home date Nov. 22. The Eagles were 32-4 last season and traveled to Iowa University for an exhibition game this month. Ashland holds three NCAA DII National Championships and has the DII record of 73 straight wins without a defeat. "These three games will tell us a lot about this group," said Rowe.
Goals Never Change
"The goals never change for us; it is to compete at the highest level we can each day and become the most complete team possible by February and March," the coach pointed out. "We continue to stay fortunate that our coaching staff remains the same. We have our work cut out for us early this season but that is what makes this group of coaches special. We embrace change and are looking forward to the challenge of another season."
2025-26 GSC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Union (10) – 119
2. Lee – 107
3. UAH (2) – 106
4. West Florida – 92
5. Valdosta State – 80
6. Delta State – 55
7. Mississippi College – 54
8. Montevallo – 53
9. Auburn Montgomery – 41
10. West Alabama – 40
11. Trevecca Nazarene– 33
12. Christian Brothers – 12
First-place votes in parenthesis ( )
2025-26 Preseason Women's Basketball All-GSC Team
Millie Brown, Sr., G, UAH [Nashville, Tenn.]
Lili Wilken, Sr., G, UAH [Nolensville, Tenn.]
Olivia Lee, Jr., G, Union [Jackson, Tenn.]
Erin Whalen, Jr., G, Valdosta State [Cumming, Ga.]
Kendall Lacoste, Jr., G, West Alabama [Livingston, Ala.]
Listed alphabetical order by school
2025-26 GSC Women's Basketball Newcomers to Watch
Chloe Siegel UAH Jr. G 5-7 Tuscumbia, Ala./North Alabama
Ameyah Gray AUM Jr. F 5-10 Ozark, Ala./Lurleen B. Wallace CC
Alicia Polk AUM Jr. G 5-9 Culleoka, Tenn./Chattanooga State CC
Jaden Toney AUM Jr. G 5-3 Huntsville, Ala./Wallace State CC
Mya Bourget CBU So. G 5-8 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada/Cedarville
DeAnna Carrington CBU Fr. G 5-10 Colchester, England/
Donee' Frasier CBU Jr. C 6-0 Cleveland, Ohio/Lander
Bailey Featherstone DSU Jr. G/F 5-6 Austin, Texas/St. Edwards (Texas)
Kennedee Shelton DSU Sr. G/F 5-8 Shreveport, La./Arkansas-Monticello
Jariyah Williamson DSU So. G 5-6 Henderson, Tenn./Southeast Missouri State
Hannah Jones LEE Jr. F 6-1 Cleveland, Tenn./Johnson (Tenn.)
Libby Privett LEE R-So. G 5-8 Huntsville, Ala./Wofford College
Shauna Fletcher MC R-So. G/F 5-10 Tanner, Ala./UAH
Valencia McFall MC Sr. F 5-11 Ocean Springs, Miss./Christian Brothers
Abigail Winslow MC So. G 5-8 Eagle Point, Ore./Pensacola Christian College
Audrey Hendrix UM Jr. G 5-9 Wake Forest, N.C./Neosho County CC
Elyse Hughes UM Sr. F 6-0 Foley, Ala./UAH
Emiley Mouser UM Fr. G 5-7 Huntsville, Ala/Madison Academy
Ellie Butler TNU Fr. G 5-10 Livingston, Tenn./Livingston Academy
Jordan Gillies TNU Jr. G 5-11 Cookeville, Tenn./Montevallo
Natalie Hernandez TNU Fr. G 5-11 Barcelona, Spain/Kostka College
Morgan Escabetto UU Jr. G 5-4 Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaminade
Auburey Sorrells UU So. G 6-0 Hamilton, Ala./Montevallo
Katie Yoder UU Jr. G 5-10 Dublin, Pa./Goldey Beacom College
Raeanne Eccleston VSU So. F 6-3 Orlando, Fla./College of Charleston
Alina Martin VSU So. G 5-8 Flower Mound, Texas/Western New Mexico
Ka'Miah Pryor VSU So. G 5-8 Canton, Ohio/Cedarville
Summer Hicks UWA Jr. F 6-0 Deatsville, Ala./Alabama State
Bellah Machen UWA Sr. G 5-8 Morris, Ala./UAH
Chardai Watkins UWA Jr. G 5-9 Panola, Ala./Louisiana-Monroe
Amelia Bell UWF Gr. F 6-2 O'Fallon, Ill./Mississippi College
Isabel Grimes UWF Sr. G 5-5 Harned, Ky./Montevallo
Avery O'Connor UWF Sr. F 6-0 Dedham, Mass./New Hampshire
