The Briar Cliff women's basketball team was tabbed 5^th in the GPAC Preseason Poll early Tuesday morning. The Chargers posted a 19-11 record (13-9 GPAC) that concluded with a trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

Dordt and Dakota Wesleyan topped the poll tying for first with 116 points and each receiving 6 first-place votes. Concordia followed with 96 points. Hastings claimed the final spot to round out the top four with 95 points.

Sophomore Abby Lee returns to the Chargers after a stellar debut season in which she earned First Team All-GPAC honors and was named GPAC Freshman of the Year. Lee led the team in scoring, averaging 18.9 points per game while shooting 50.0% from the field and 36.6% from beyond the arc. She also contributed 7.7 rebounds per game.

Junior Brooklyn Heineman also returns to the Charger lineup after a strong sophomore campaign. Heineman averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 36.5% from the field. She led the team with 81 steals and earned All-GPAC Honorable Mention recognition last season.

Seniors Taylor Sodeman and Kenna Mongan also return to the Cliff for their final seasons. Sodeman averaged 8.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Mongan averaged 9.6 points per game and shot 39.0% from beyond the three. Both players earned All-Conference honors last season.

The Chargers open their season on October 24 at the Newman Flanagan Center, hosting Culver-Stockton in a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. GPAC play begins on November 14, as the Chargers host the College of Saint Mary's Flames. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.


 

GPAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 2026-27
TEAM	POINTS	1ST PLACE VOTES
DAKOTA WESLEYAN	116	6
DORDT	116	6
CONCORDIA	96
HASTINGS	95
BRIAR CLIFF	79
NORTHWESTERN	70
MORNINGSIDE	58
MOUNT MARTY	56
DOANE	43
MIDLAND	28
COLLEGE OF SAINT MARY	21
WALDORF	14