GREENVILLE, S.C. – After a historic championship run and NCAA appearance, Lees-McRae women's basketball was voted second in the 2026-27 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Preseason Poll. Sydney Gueterman, Nadiya Hairston, and Braelyn Stilwell were named Players to Watch for the upcoming season.
Francis Marion earned the top spot with six first-place votes and 210 total points. Lees-McRae received seven first-place votes and 206 points for second place in the preseason rankings. Belmont Abbey tallied the final three first-place votes and was picked third. Barton and Chowan rounded out the top five for the preseason vote.
Lees-McRae women's basketball kicks off the season in an exhibition at High Point on Monday, November 2 at 7 p.m. in High Point, North Carolina. The Bobcats host Virginia University of Lynchburg on November 10 at 5 p.m. on the McNair & Debi Tornow Court.
Players to Watch
- Nadiya Hairston, Sr., Guard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (2025-26 All-Conference Carolinas first team, 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship MVP)
- Braelyn Stilwell, So., Guard, Connelly Springs, North Carolina
- Sydney Gueterman, Sr., Forward, Charlotte, North Carolina (2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team)
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
2026-2027 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Preseason Poll:
| Rank |
School (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1 |
Francis Marion (6) |
210 |
| 2 |
Lees-McRae (7) |
206 |
| 3 |
Belmont Abbey (3) |
198 |
| 4 |
Barton |
179 |
| 5 |
Chowan |
152 |
| 6 |
Young Harris |
150 |
| 7 |
UNC Pembroke |
147 |
| 8 |
King |
135 |
| 9 |
Emmanuel |
104 |
| 10 |
Shorter |
96 |
| 11 |
Ferrum |
95 |
| 12 |
North Greenville |
73 |
| 13 |
Mount Olive |
68 |
| 14 |
Converse |
49 |
| 15 |
Southern Wesleyan |
43 |
| 16 |
Erskine |
15 |
