Women's Basketball | 10/29/2026 12:00:00 PM

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Bloomsburg women's basketball team was selected to finish fourth in the Eastern Division, as revealed in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) preseason poll released on Thursday. The conference's coaches vote on the preseason poll for their respective divisions.
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In a contested vote for the top spot, East Stroudsburg emerged as the team predicted to finish first in the East, receiving three first-place votes. Also earning three top-spot votes, Kutztown takes second. Millersville slots in at third as the final team to garner first-place recognition with two votes. West Chester (fifth), Shepherd (sixth), Shippensburg (seventh), and Mansfield (eighth) follow behind the Huskies in the poll.
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In the West, last season's national runner-up, IUP, claims the top spot in the poll with seven first-place votes. Gannon comes in second place, receiving two nods for the top spot. Edinboro (third), California (fourth), Lock Haven (fifth), and Clarion (sixth) fill the remainder of the projected playoff positions. Pitt-Johnstown (seventh), Slippery Rock (eighth), and Seton Hill (ninth) round out the projections in the Western Division.
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Bloomsburg enters its 11th season under head coach Alison Tagliaferri for the 2026-27 campaign. The Huskies went 16-14 overall last season with an 11-10 record in PSAC play, earning the fourth seed in the East. Bloomsburg won its first-round game in the PSAC Tournament for the second consecutive season before an exit in the Quarterfinals.
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The Huskies return seven players from last season's squad who appeared in at least 23 contests, including five that saw over 20 minutes per game. Second-team All-PSAC performer Alison Hatajik (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) will lead Bloomsburg into the season after averaging 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds on 50.4 percent shooting from the floor during the 2025-26 season. Maddison Maynard (Lansford, Pa./Panther Valley) (9.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG) and Kelly Leszcynski (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth) (9.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.8 APG) provide strong support for the Huskies at the guard spots. Leah Kale (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) (85 games played, 51 starts) provides a veteran option along the perimeter, while Lex Ferguson (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) (52 games played) will look to bolster the front court depth. Sophia Shults (Hazleton, Pa./Hazleton Area) (23 games) and Olivia Selverian (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) (29 games) will look to make jumps in their second seasons at Bloomsburg.
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The Huskies welcomed five additions to the roster ahead of the 2026-27 season. The group consists of four freshmen and one transfer. The five newcomers include four guards and one forward.
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Bloomsburg begins its season on Monday, November 9, against Penn State Hazleton. The Huskies open the PSAC slate on Friday, December 4, on the road against Pitt-Johnstown.
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2026-27 PSAC Women's Basketball Preseason Polls (# of first-place votes in parentheses)

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

WEST
1. IUP (7)
2. Gannon (2)
3. Edinboro
4. California
5. Lock Haven
6. Clarion
7. Pitt-Johnstown
8. Slippery Rock
9. Seton Hill
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