Photo by: Hannah Ally
Lehigh Picked Fifth in Patriot League Preseason Poll
10/16/2025 11:41:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League announced its Preseason Poll and Awards for women's basketball Thursday. In a tight Preseason Poll, the defending Patriot League champion Mountain Hawks were picked fifth. Lehigh garnered 57 points and one of a possible 10 first-place votes in the poll of Patriot League head coaches.
The Mountain Hawks won their fifth Patriot League Tournament title in 2024-25, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. Lehigh went 27-7 overall last season including a 15-3 mark in Patriot League play.
Lehigh returns eight players from its championship squad, led by senior forward Lily Fandre, who averaged 9.8 points and 3.8 rebounds last season. Juniors Whitney Lind, Gracyn Lovette and Jessie Ozzauto, along with sophomore Belle Bramer, all appeared in 30 or more games for Lehigh last season. The 2025-26 squad also features four newcomers from across the globe.
Navy garnered 71 points to top the poll, with the Midshipmen garnering two first place votes. Army West Point was picked second (68 points), followed by Loyola (63), Holy Cross (60) and then Lehigh. All five teams garnered at least one first-place vote, led by Loyola with three.
Junior Zanai Barnett-Gay from Navy was voted the league's Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
Lehigh will open the 2025-26 season at Big 12 member Cincinnati on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with game time set for 6:30 p.m. The home opener for the Mountain Hawks will be Nov. 11 as Lehigh welcomes La Salle to Stabler Arena.
2025-26 Women's Basketball Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year: Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, Jr., G
2025-26 Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Fiona Hastick, Army West Point, Jr., G/F
Anne Bair, Colgate, Sr., G
Kaitlyn Flanagan, Holy Cross, Sr., G
Lex Therien, Loyola Maryland, Gr., F
Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, Jr., G
2025-26 Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
The Mountain Hawks won their fifth Patriot League Tournament title in 2024-25, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. Lehigh went 27-7 overall last season including a 15-3 mark in Patriot League play.
Lehigh returns eight players from its championship squad, led by senior forward Lily Fandre, who averaged 9.8 points and 3.8 rebounds last season. Juniors Whitney Lind, Gracyn Lovette and Jessie Ozzauto, along with sophomore Belle Bramer, all appeared in 30 or more games for Lehigh last season. The 2025-26 squad also features four newcomers from across the globe.
Navy garnered 71 points to top the poll, with the Midshipmen garnering two first place votes. Army West Point was picked second (68 points), followed by Loyola (63), Holy Cross (60) and then Lehigh. All five teams garnered at least one first-place vote, led by Loyola with three.
Junior Zanai Barnett-Gay from Navy was voted the league's Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
Lehigh will open the 2025-26 season at Big 12 member Cincinnati on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with game time set for 6:30 p.m. The home opener for the Mountain Hawks will be Nov. 11 as Lehigh welcomes La Salle to Stabler Arena.
2025-26 Women's Basketball Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year: Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, Jr., G
2025-26 Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Fiona Hastick, Army West Point, Jr., G/F
Anne Bair, Colgate, Sr., G
Kaitlyn Flanagan, Holy Cross, Sr., G
Lex Therien, Loyola Maryland, Gr., F
Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, Jr., G
2025-26 Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
- Navy – 71 (2 first-place votes)
- Army West Point – 68 (2)
- Loyola Maryland – 63 (3)
- Holy Cross – 60 (2)
- Lehigh – 57 (1)
- Colgate – 34
- Bucknell – 33
- Boston University – 32
- Lafayette – 21
- American – 11
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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