Lancaster, Pa. – (11/5/2026) – Now, just days away from the start of the season, Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Commissioner Rebecca Mullen has officially released the results of the 2026-2027 AEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll. Gwynedd Mercy University received 18 total points from the league's six head coaches to rank third in the field. Immaculata University headlined the results as they claimed to top spot in the forecast with five first-place votes and 25 total points.
 
In between the Mighty Macs and Griffins, Marymount University placed second in the poll with the remaining first-place vote and 19 total points. The remainder of the ranks included Saint Elizabeth University (13 total points), Centenary University (N.J.) (8), and Pratt Institute (7).
 
Led by captain Erin Eisenhart '26 and moments from various supporting cast members, the Gwynedd Mercy University finished the 2025-2026 season with an 8-17 overall record and a 5-9 mark that left them just shy of postseason berth. This season, the Red and Gold will feature a more experienced lineup that will provide depth for the final season of AEC competition. Senior captains, forward Azzy Crumpton (Conshohocken, Pa.) (7.4 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game) and guard Leah Harrington (Horsham, Pa.) (1.8, 2.4) headline nine Griffin upperclassmen; a group that also includes senior guard/forward Rachel Dunn (Lansdale, Pa.) (7.3, 5.8), junior guard Brianna McFadden (Fairless Hills, Pa.) (7.1, 2.3), junior guard Kailyn Bell (Ridley Park, Pa.) (4.7, 3.4), and sophomore guard Layla Verbit (Sellersville, Pa.) (6.6, 4.5).
 
The complete results of the 2026-2027 AEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll are available list below and available by using the provided links.
 
2026-2027 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
 

Rank. Team	Points	First-Place Votes
1. Immaculata University	25	5
2. Marymount University	19	1
3. Gwynedd Mercy University	18
4. Saint Elizabeth University	13
5. Centenary University (N.J.)	8
6. Pratt Institute	7