KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island women's basketball was picked to finish ninth in the 2026-27 Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll, the conference released Monday ahead of the league's Media Day. The league's 14 head coaches unanimously picked Saint Joseph's to win the A10. Davidson was picked second, George Washington was third, George Mason was fourth, and Dayton was picked fifth to round out the top five.
Senior guard
Sophia Vital landed on the Preseason All-Conference First Team and Preseason All-Defensive Team. A season ago, Vital led the Rams to their first-ever Atlantic 10 Tournament title, sending them to their first NCAA Tournament in 30 years. She earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team after averaging a team-best 3.6 assists per game. She played both sides of the ball, adding 7.7 points per game while grabbing a team-high 1.9 steals per game.
A season ago, Rhody won a program-record 28 games while winning its second regular-season title and its first Atlantic 10 Championship title. Head coach
Colleen Mullen begins her first season at the helm when the Rams open up 2026-27 at West Virginia on Nov. 3.
Tune in to the Atlantic 10 2026 Media Day press conferences by
clicking here. Rhode Island is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. with men's basketball head coach Archie Miller and forward Jahmere Tripp before women's basketball head coach
Colleen Mullen and Vital.
2026-27 WBB A10 PRESEASON POLL
1. Saint Joseph's (14)............................................ 196
2. Davidson............................................................... 181
3. George Washington......................................... 141
4. George Mason.................................................... 138
5. Dayton................................................................... 127
6. Saint Louis............................................................ 123
7. VCU......................................................................... 106
8. Richmond..............................................................101
9. Rhode Island........................................................97
10. La Salle...................................................................78
11. St. Bonaventure ..................................................59
12. Duquesne..............................................................51
13. Fordham Rams....................................................40
14. Loyola Chicago...................................................32
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
Katie Donovan (Davidson) Sr. - G/F
Gabby Reynolds (George Washington) Jr. - G
Sophia Vital (Rhode Island) Sr. - G
Ally Sweeney (Richmond) Sr. - G
Gabby Casey (Saint Joseph's) Sr. - G
Alyssa Koerkenmeier (Saint Louis) So. - C
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
Alexis Black (Fordham) Gr. - G
Mary Amoateng (George Mason) So. - G
Sara Lewis (George Washington) Sr. - F
Joanie Quinn (La Salle) Jr. - G
Aleah Snead (Saint Joseph's) Sr. - G
Macy Spencer (VCU) Sr. - G
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM
Kyra Bruyndoncx (Davidson) Jr. - G
Olivia Leung (Dayton) Jr. - G
Anovia Sheals (George Mason) Jr. - G
Kiara Williams (La Salle) Jr. - F
Rhian Stokes (Saint Joseph's) Jr. - G
Katarina Kneževic (VCU) Jr. - G/F
PRESEASON ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Fatima Ibrahim (Dayton) Sr. - C
Mary Amoateng (George Mason) So. - G
Sophia Vital (Rhode Island) Sr. - G
Aleah Snead (Saint Joseph's) Sr. - G
Alyssa Koerkenmeier (Saint Louis) So.- C
