WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Saint Joseph's women's basketball team has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026-27 Atlantic 10 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, while seniors Gabby Casey and Aleah Snead and junior Rhian Stokes earned Preseason All-Conference honors, the league announced Monday.
 
For the first time since Massachusetts in 2022-23, the Hawks received all 14 first-place votes and 196 points to unanimously claim the top spot in the preseason poll, ahead of Davidson (181 points) and George Washington (141 points). Saint Joseph's enters the 2026-27 campaign looking to build on four consecutive 20-win seasons under head coach Cindy Griffin, a feat only accomplished twice in school history.
 
2026-27 Atlantic 10 Preseason Awards

The Hawks were picked favorites to win the league for the first time since 2003-04 when St. Joe's was picked to finish first in the East of the Atlantic 10 standings.
 
Casey was named to the Preseason All-Conference First Team after a standout junior campaign in which she averaged 15.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. The guard earned All-Conference Second Team recognition in 2025-26 after increasing her scoring average from 7.7 points per game as a sophomore. She also earned the Atlantic 10's Most Improved Player award.
 
Snead garnered Preseason All-Conference Second Team and Preseason All-Defensive Team honors after averaging 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season. The senior guard earned All-Conference Third Team recognition in 2025-26.
 
Stokes rounded out the Hawks' selections with a spot on the Preseason All-Conference Third Team. The junior guard averaged 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game during the 2025-26 season.
 
Saint Joseph's opens its 2026-27 campaign on Saturday, Nov. 7, hosting Kutztown at Michael J. Hagan '85 Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
Tickets for Saint Joseph's 2026–27 season are on sale now at sjuhawks.com/tickets or by calling 610-660-3319.