ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Opening tip-off for the Flagler College women's basketball team's 2026-27 season begins next week as they compete in their final year of Peach Belt Conference play.

Entering the season, the Saints were selected to finish eighth according to the PBC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Last season, Flagler finished with a 6-14 conference record and 11-17 overall. Finding success on familiar soil, the Saints went 9-8 while playing at home. Despite their record, the Saints excelled on offense as they finished fifth in points averaged with 65.7.

Led by a core of seniors, the Saints will begin their season with the losses of 26' All-PBC selection Marley Smith, Jessica Dowdy, Natalie Herrin and Carleigh Grimm. Filling out the remaining roster, Head Coach Mo Smith retained his full roster while adding four transfers and three freshman.

The Saints return two of their consist starting five. Senior Aspen Weeks is expected to step into a larger role this season after only missing two starts last season. Weeks finished as the team's fifth highest scorer, dropping 185 points in her 25 appearances. Despite making 22 starts in 27 games, Junior Gabby Bush averaged the third most points per game with 8.5. A constant presence across the court, Bush was tied for fourth in rebounds per game 3.8.

The future of the program resides in the freshman and sophomore class. Justyce McCoy will look to make an immediate impact for the Saints. A 2022 Georgia State Champion, McCoy graduated with a decorated career from Brookwood High School where she was a three time All-State selection, Regional Defensive Player of the Year, two time Regional Player of the Year and Georgia Female Athlete of the Year. Joining the star-studded freshman class is The Bolles School standout Ari Walker. Hailing from Jacksonville, Fla. Walker was named All-Area Defensive Player of the Year after leading the team to a District and Regional Championship. Bella Sturgill enters the program as a two-time All-Conference selection and a three time District 15 All-Star.

Bolstering the team through the portal, Coach Smith brought in a plethora of transfers highlighted by Junior Nicki Carreno and Rain McDaniel. From University of Florida, Carreno played two seasons as an Osprey. During her freshman campaign, Carreno logged 30 appearances where she scored 107 points and 55 rebounds on 42.4 percent from the field. As a sophomore, Carreno made 19 appearances. Entering the program as a graduate student, McDaniel hailed from Trinity Christian College and Wheeling University. Khalia Woodley joins the program after a successful freshman season at Palm Beach Atlantic University where she made 20 appearances.

Flagler will open their season on the road for their first three matches. Monday, Nov. 9 will see the Saints travel to Southern Wesleyan University who they defeated 87-59 last season. That following weekend, the Saints will make their sixth consecutive appearance at the Southeast Region Crossover where they will see Anderson University and Shorter University. To open home play, the Saints will welcome Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Nov. 18. Conference play will begin on Dec. 2 against Augusta University. Other notable non-conference match ups will consist of Florida Institute of Tecnology and Western Oregon University.

Season tickets are still available for the 2026-27 Flagler women's basketball season. Reserved chair-back seats, located directly behind the scorer's table on the south side of Flagler Gymnasium, are available for $150. Fans can select their preferred seat, which will be reserved for all home games and include their name on the seat. General admission season tickets, which include the remaining seating areas outside of the reserved chair-back section, are available for $75. To purchase season tickets, click here. For more information, contact Karen Hudgins in the Department of Athletics Office at 904-819-6252.
 
Single-game tickets for the 2026-27 Flagler women's basketball seasons are $15 for walk-up chair-back seating (non-reserved) and $10 for general admission. The general admission price applies to adults ages 18-64, senior citizens ages 65 and older, active or retired military personnel with valid ID, students from participating institutions with valid ID, and children ages 10-17. Admission is free for all St. Johns County residents with valid ID, Flagler College faculty, staff and students with valid ID, and children under the age of 10.
 
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