Regis Women’s Basketball Slotted Sixth in GNAC Preseason Poll
WESTON, Mass. – As announced this afternoon by the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), the Regis College women's basketball team has been tied for sixth place in the 2025-26 GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll with crosstown rival Lasell University, as both programs received 85 votes.
At the top of the poll, Saint Joseph's College of Maine claimed the number-one spot with six first-place votes, followed closely by Emmanuel College with five, while the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) rounded out the group with two first-place votes.
The Pride will look to make noise in the GNAC this season, returning a strong and experienced core of upperclassmen. Leading the charge is Madi Zancan (Cumberland, R.I.), the team's top scorer from last year, who averaged 15.6 pointsand 7.6 rebounds per game. The All-GNAC Third Team selection also reached the 1,000-point career milestone with a 27-point performance against Albertus Magnus last season.
Joining her is senior Jordyn Striggles (Raynham, Mass.), the Pride's most dangerous threat from beyond the arc, who sank a team-high 44 three-pointers while averaging 10.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Erika Marinelli (Point Pleasant, N.J.) continues to be a steady all-around contributor for Regis, starting all 25 games last season and averaging 7.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest in 27 minutes of play.
Surrounding this trio of senior leaders is a strong group of returners and a promising class of seven first-year players, adding depth and new energy to the roster.
The Pride open their 2025-26 campaign at the Brandeis University Tournament on Friday, November 7, where they will face the host Judges before taking on reigning national champion New York University the following day. After opening the season with five straight road games, Regis will return home to Higgins Court for its home opener on Saturday, November 22, against Mount Holyoke College at 1 p.m.
Following final exams, the Pride will head south to Daytona Beach, Florida, to compete against Alma College and Grove City College, before returning to Massachusetts for one final out-of-regoin matchup on January 2. GNAC play opens at home on Saturday, January 10, when Albertus Magnus visits Higgins Court for a 1 p.m. tipoff.
Led by fifth-year head coach Samantha Crough, the Pride enter the new season with a blend of veteran leadership and youthful promise.
Women's Basketball Preseason Poll Results
1) SJC (6) - 160
2) Emmanuel (5) - 146
3) USJ (2)- 144
4) Albertus Magnus - 134
5) Rivier - 120
T-6) Regis - 85
T-6) Lasell - 85
8) Norwich - 74
9) NEC - 66
T-10) Colby-Sawyer - 61
T-10) Elms - 61
12) Dean - 30
13) Mitchell - 17