Haddonfield. N.J. – Immaculata University was selected as the front runner for this year's AEC Women's Basketball Championship, as voted on by the league's Head Coaches, in the preseason poll.
Looking to three-peat, the Mighty Macs will be led by Head Coach Brittany Whalen in her fourth season at the helm, posting a 61-19 record, good for a .763 winning percentage. Immaculata returns junior Carly Coleman, last year's Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, who is 243 points away from joining the 1,000 point club. Additionally, 2025-26 Rookie of the Year Abby Grillo will be on the court, as Immaculata faces a strong slate of opponents such as NYU and Smith.
Marymount, last year's second seed in the conference tournament, landed second in the poll with one first place vote. The Saints bowed out of the playoffs in the semifinals after dropping the game to Marywood by two points. Some notable returners include Catie Kolwey (2025 Second Team All-Conference) and Kaylah Barr (averaged 14 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 asissts per game last year). Additionally, Ella Morrison, who recorded 115 rebounds in the 2024-25 season, returns as a graduate student.
Third in the poll was Gwynedd Mercy. The Griffins posted a 5-9 conference record last year and will continue to be led by Keith Mondillo, who is now in his 31st season in charge. Senior Rachel Dunn averaged 7.3 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and posted a team-high 49 steals during the 2025-26 season.
Saint Elizabeth received 13 points, good for a fourth place slot. Centenary received eight points, barely edging out Pratt for fifth place, as the Cannonners rounded out the group with seven points.
Teams tip off regular season play on Friday, November 6th, with Pratt taking on St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, Gwynedd Mercy hosting Cedar Crest, Centenary facing off against Salisbury, and Saint Elizabeth taking on Hunter. Immaculata hits the road, taking on Smith, on Saturday, November 7th, while Marymount opens play on Monday, November 9th, against St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Conference play begins on Saturday, January 16th, with Centenary hosting Pratt, Immaculata hosting Gwynedd Mercy, and Marymount heading to Saint Elizabeth.
The 2026-27 Atlantic East Tournament is set to begin with semifinals on Wednesday, February 24th, with the first seed hosting the fourth seed, and the second seed hosting the third seed. Both winning teams will advance to the championship, located on campus of the highest remaining seed, on Saturday, February 27th.
Women's Basketball Coaches’ Poll
1. Imaculata- 25 (5)
2. Marymount- 19 (1)
3. Gwynedd Mercy- 18
4. Saint Elizabeth- 13
5. Centenary- 8
6. Pratt- 7
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising six institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy and Immaculata Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary and Saint Elizabeth Universities in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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