NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz women's basketball team has been picked sixth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Preseason Coaches Poll, while also earning the distinction of the conference's dark horse entering the 2026-27 campaign. 

The Hawks enter their inaugural NJAC season following a stellar final year in the SUNYAC, finishing 26-3 overall and 17-1 in conference play while advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Despite entering a new conference, SUNY New Paltz has already caught the attention of the league's coaches, earning recognition as this year's dark horse team to watch. 

Sierra Carter headlines the returning group after averaging 6.4 points, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game last season, providing a steady presence on both ends of the floor. Kayden Cornell adds a threat from beyond the arc after connecting on a team-high 39 three-pointers and averaging 6.0 points per contest. Defensively, Macie Perry and Summer Perry join Carter to provide a solid presence as the Hawks prepare for their first season of NJAC competition. 

Under head coach Jamie Seward, SUNY New Paltz looks to build upon its recent success while navigating a new slate of conference opponents. 

TCNJ was selected as the preseason favorite following a vote of the conference's 10 head coaches, receiving seven of the 10 possible first-place votes. The Lions captured the NJAC Tournament championship last season and earned a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. 

William Paterson, which finished a perfect 18-0 in conference play and earned an at-large NCAA Tournament bid a season ago, received two first-place votes and was projected to finish second. Rutgers-Camden garnered the remaining first-place vote and was picked third. 

Montclair State and Rowan rounded out the top five, followed by SUNY New Paltz in sixth. Stockton was selected seventh, while Kean, Ramapo and Rutgers-Newark completed the preseason rankings. 

The Hawks will face an immediate challenge to begin their 2026-27 campaign, traveling to take on NYU, which enters the season ranked No. 2 nationally in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Preseason Poll after advancing to the NCAA Division III Final Four last season. Tip-off is slated for 3pm on Saturday, November 14. 

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