By: Creighton Athletic Communications
New York, N.Y. -- Creighton Women's Basketball earned the third spot in the 2026-27 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Thursday, October 1. The Bluejays closed the 2025-26 season with eight wins in their last 11 games to close the campaign with a 16-15 record. Returning sophomores Neleigh Gessert and Ava Zediker were unanimously selected to the 2026-27 Preseason All-BIG EAST squad.
The duo return after a decorated opening campaign with the Jays. Zediker was a unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection last season, while both Zediker and Gessert earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. Zediker led Creighton with 13.3 ppg (372 points), shooting 41.0% from the floor, 83.9% from the free-throw line (104-of-124) and dishing out 96 assists. Gessert, meanwhile, averaged 11.8 ppg (329 points) and was a long-range specialist with 81 made treys.
Defending BIG EAST Champion Connecticut was a unanimous selection to repeat, receiving 100 point. Villanova was picked to finish second with 90, while Creighton claimed 78 points to earn third place. Separated by just one vote, St. John's nabbed fourth (68) and Seton Hall slotted fifth (67).
The back half of the conference saw Marquette earn sixth with 60 points, Providence take seventh (38) and Georgetown slot into eighth with 36. The three predicted to round out the conference this season are Xavier (29), Butler (21) and DePaul (18).
UConn swept the preseason individual awards as Sarah Strong was the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and Olivia Vukosa earned BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year.
2026-27 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. UConn – 100 (10 first-place votes)
2. Villanova – 90 (1)
3. Creighton – 78
4. St. John's – 68
5. Seton Hall – 67
6. Marquette – 60
7. Providence – 38
8. Georgetown – 36
9. Xavier – 29
10. Butler – 21
11. DePaul – 18
2026-27 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year – Sarah Strong, UConn, Jr., F*
2026-27 BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year – Olivia Vukosa, UConn, Fr., C*
2026-27 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
KK Arnold, UConn, Sr., G *
Blanca Quiñonez, UConn, So., F *
Neleigh Gessert, Creighton, So., G *
Ava Zediker, Creighton, So., G *
Halle Vice, Marquette, Sr., G *
Brooke Moore, St. John's, Sr., G
Sa'Mya Wyatt, St. John's, Jr., F
Savannah Catalon, Seton Hall, Sr., G *
Jasmine Bascoe, Villanova, Jr., G *
Kennedy Henry, Villanova, So., G
Honorable Mention
Ashlynn Shade, UConn, Sr., G
Orlagh Gormley, Providence, Jr., G
Meri Kanerva, Xavier, Jr., G
*Unanimous selection