LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) today announced its 2026-27 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll, with the Gannon women's basketball team selected to finish second in the Western Division.

The Golden Knights received two of nine first-place votes, with coaches unable to vote for their own team. Indiana (Pa.) was selected as the preseason favorite with seven first-place votes, while Gannon was picked second. Edinboro, California (Pa.) and Lock Haven rounded out the top five.

Gannon enters the 2026-27 campaign following another successful season that saw the Golden Knights finish with a 29-5 overall record and an 18-2 mark in PSAC play. Gannon finished as the PSAC Tournament runner-up before advancing to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional semifinals, marking another postseason appearance for one of the region's most consistent programs.

The Golden Knights closed the season ranked No. 8 nationally after spending much of the year among the top 10 teams in Division II.

Earlier this week, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) released its Division II Preseason Coaches Poll, with Gannon ranked No. 12 nationally.

Head coach Cleve Wright enters his 19th season overall at the helm of the Golden Knights and eighth since returning to Erie in 2019. The veteran head coach has established Gannon as a perennial contender in the PSAC and Atlantic Region, guiding the program to numerous conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.

RATLIFF, SLATER HEADLINE RETURNING PLAYERS

Gannon returns an experienced group from last year's NCAA Tournament squad, led by seniors Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) and Mia Slater (Canberra, Australia/Canberra Grammar School), along with junior Jordan Popyk (Novi, Mich./Novi).

Ratliff, a 6-foot guard, returns as Gannon's leading scorer from a season ago after averaging 12.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. She appeared in all 34 contests, making 33 starts, and led the Golden Knights with 100 assists while adding 72 steals and a team-high 42 blocked shots. Ratliff earned second team All-PSAC West honors for the second straight year in 2025-26.

Slater, a 6-foot-2 post player, appeared in all 34 games, averaging 8.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest. The Canberra, Australia native shot 53.2 percent from the field while collecting 178 rebounds. She joined Ratliff as a second-team all-conference selection.

Popyk, a 6-foot-2 junior, also returns after averaging 9.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 33 appearances. She shot 49.6 percent from the floor and finished the year with 157 rebounds.

The Golden Knights also welcome back senior guard Tori Mayes (Lake City, Pa./Cathedral Prep), who started all 34 contests and finished fourth on the team with 72 assists. Junior Olivia Pepple (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) averaged 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 27 games, while Bella Deere (Union, Ky./Cooper) appeared in 33 contests during her first season of action with the Golden Knights.

Gannon also returns Olivia Cernuto (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland), Taylor Ethridge (Chesapeake, Va./Catholic), Lauren Kingsley (Pavilion, N.Y./Pavilion), Katie Boal (Franklin, Pa./Franklin Area) and Jenna Winowiecki (Grosse Point Woods, Mich./Gross Point North), providing additional experience and depth.

The Golden Knights will look to replace several key contributors from last year's squad, including WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches' All-America Honorable Mention selection Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster), who led Gannon in scoring at 16.1 points per game. A three-time All-PSAC West First Team selection, Claxon concluded her career with 1,841 points, ranking fifth in program history.

Gannon must also replace the leadership of Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) and Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria). Wheatley started all 34 games, averaging 8.3 points and a team-high 6.2 rebounds while finishing second on the team with 96 assists. Dunham appeared in 14 contests, averaging 3.1 points per game.

Wright welcomes four freshmen to the roster for the 2026-27 season. The newcomers will look to provide additional depth and contribute alongside an experienced group of returners as the Golden Knights prepare for another run at the PSAC championship and NCAA Tournament.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS OPEN SEASON NOVEMBER 6

Gannon begins the 2026-27 season on Friday, Nov. 6, when the Golden Knights travel to Owensboro, Kentucky, for the Division II CCA Tip-Off Classic hosted by Kentucky Wesleyan.

The Golden Knights open against Missouri Western at 5:15 p.m. before facing Harding on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 3 p.m. This marks the fourth consecutive season Gannon has participated in the season-opening tournament.

Gannon returns to the Highmark Events Center on Friday, Nov. 13, when the Golden Knights host Glenville State at 11 a.m. in the Atlantic Region Challenge. The Golden Knights conclude the two-day event against Ohio Dominican on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m.

The Golden Knights open PSAC play on Friday, Dec. 4, when they host Kutztown at 3 p.m.
 
 2026-27 PSAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)

WESTERN DIVISION

1. No. 4 Indiana (Pa.) (7)
2.  No. 12 GANNON (2)
3. Edinboro
4. California (Pa.)
5. Lock Haven
6. Clarion
7. Pitt-Johnstown
8. Slippery Rock
9. Seton Hill

EASTERN DIVISION

1. East Stroudsburg (3)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. Millersville (2)
4. Bloomsburg
5. West Chester
6. Shepherd
7. Shippensburg
8. Mansfield