ANNVILLE, PA (Oct. 22, 2026) -- The DeSales University women's basketball team has been picked to repeat as MAC Freedom Champions, picked first in the MAC Freedom preseason poll as announced by the conference office and as voted on by the nine MAC Freedom coaches on Thursday morning.
DeSales earned seven of the nine first place votes and finished with 63 points. Misericordia University earned the other two first place votes and finished second with 52 points. Lebanon Valley College (48 points), Stevens (44 points), and Arcadia University (41 points) rounded out the top five. This season five teams will make the MAC Freedom postseason tournament with the addition of a ninth team, Marywood University, into the conference.
DeSales finished with a 19-9 overall record last season and an 11-3 mark in MAC Freedom play. DSU defeated Lebanon Valley College and Stevens in the conference tournament to win its 13th MAC Freedom Conference title. The Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Tournament, falling to #16 Ohio Wesleyan University in the opening round, 59-51.
The Bulldogs return two regular starters from last season's group including junior Marissa LaVerghetta and junior Aubrey Pollard who each earned Honorable-Mention All-Freedom honors one year ago. LaVerghetta averaged 6.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.3 steals per game, while Pollard ranked third on the team in scoring at 9.1 points per game and second on the team in rebounding pulling down 7.1 rebounds per game.
In addition junior Kayla Ishigami returns having started six games and averaging 8.4 points per game, while shooting 39.5 percent from outside the arc. She ranked second on the team with 45 made 3's.
Head Coach Fred Richter will be entering his 37th season as one of the most successful coaches in the country with a career record of 700-274 (.719), having won his 700th career game in the MAC Freedom title game last season. Richter enters the 2026-27 season ranked 17th all-time in wins among NCAA Division III coaches and ninth in active NCAA Division III coaches in wins.
The Bulldogs open their season at the York College Tournament on November 13th and on the road for the first three games. The home opener is on November 21st vs. one of its two local rivals, Muhlenberg College. DSU begins MAC Freedom competition on December 2nd hosting conference newcomer, Marywood University.
MAC Freedom Preseason Coaches Poll (First place votes)
1 - DeSales - 63 (7)
2 - Misericordia - 52 (2)
3 - Lebanon Valley - 48
4 - Stevens - 44
5 - Arcadia - 41
6 - Delaware Valley - 29
7t - King's - 17
7t - FDU-Florham - 17
9 - Marywood - 13
