LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its women's basketball Volt Division preview for the 2023-24 season. The Volt Division consists of seven teams, with each program squaring off against one another twice in conference play.
Six of those teams will earn bids to the postseason which begins on Saturday, February 17, 2024 with the Divisional First Round. Winners of that round will then square off in the Divisional Semifinals on Monday, February 19, 2024. The Divisional Final will then take place on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
The Volt Division Champion will then square off against the Skye Division Champion in a culminating Championship on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The winner of that match will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference's automatic qualifier into the Division III NCAA Championship.
Gallaudet University
Head Coach Stephanie Stevens begins her 11th season in charge of Gallaudet women’s basketball with a positive mindset and a hunt for a postseason berth in 2023-24. The Bison are led by senior forward Cassidy Perry (18.8 ppg, 62.2% FG, 79.4% FT, 10.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, United East First Team All-Conference) who will bring stability and veteran presence to the squad. The non-conference schedule sees a return of local schools including Notre Dame of Maryland, Marymount, Salisbury, and Mary Washington before the United East Volt Division campaign begins.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are filled with anticipation and excitement as we gear up for this basketball season. Seeing each player's dedication and hard work in their training, I look forward to experiencing memorable performances. Let’s embrace the challenges ahead, knowing they will only strengthen us as a team. Here’s to a new season of growth, teamwork, and unforgettable moments on the court! B-ALL-IN!”
Lancaster Bible College
Ryan Carpenter begins his first season in charge of the Lancaster Bible College women’s basketball team with an eye toward a playoff push after just missing out in 2022-23. A strong leadership of veteran players will work towards playoff qualification led by senior guard Alaysha Lwais (8.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.4 steals per game, 2nd team all-conference), senior guard Jenna Dombach (8.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, team leader in 3 PT FG made), and senior guard Shelby Gard (4.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.3 apg). The Chargers have non-conference matchups with Misericordia, Gwynedd Mercy, and Roanoke before settling into the United East Volt Division campaign.
Coach’s Outlook: “Any time a team has to learn a new system it takes time and there will be some bumps in the road along the way but we have a good core of solid veterans with experience coming back to mix in with some versatile new faces. I think we can be very competitive this year and are optimistic about our chances this year!”
Penn College
Coach Britni Mohney enters her 5th season at the helm of the Wildcats looking to build upon the program’s first United East playoff appearance in 2022-23. The top three scorers return lead by junior guard Rachel Teats (78% FT%, and team leader in rebounds and second in points scored on top of a Second Team All-Conference nod), sophomore guard Lexi Troup who led the team in scoring and shot 76.6% from the FT line while being named Penn College’s Female Newcomer of the Year, and junior forward Emily Pardee (7.8 ppg, 42.9% shooting percentage). On top of the United East Schedule, the Wildcats have non-conference matchups with Susquehanna (November 18), Lycoming (November 21), York College (December 13), and Houghton College (January 2) on the docket for 2023-24.
Coach’s Outlook: “Returning our top three scorers from last season provides a huge momentum swing for us after making our first United East Playoff appearance last season. We have a strong returning cast that have played substantial minutes together over the last couple of years. Adding depth with our incoming class, we look to add more of an offensive presence this year to build off of our continuous defensive threats.”
Penn State Abington
Head Coach Megan Fox enters her second season at the head of the Nittany Lions squad after a tough 2022-23 season. Senior forward Angela Sanders had 13 double-doubles (18.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg) and was a First Team All-United East honoree last season. Sanders is in the range of 1000 career points (842) and can reach it with a strong senior year. The Nittany Lions have a strong non-conference schedule with matchups against Gwynedd Mercy, Brooklyn College, Arcadia, and Immaculata.
Coach’s Outlook: “Penn State Abington WBB is looking to shake things up with a strong bounce back year in the 23-24 Season. We have a lot of new faces and are excited to showcase the new and young talent added to our program. We recruited heavily in the Philadelphia area and are looking forward to competing this year.”
Penn State Berks
Kristin Hawley begins her 9th season at the helm of the Penn State Berks program looking to rebuild the program to previous highs. A strong veteran group exists led by senior guard Samantha Hagenbush (5.5 ppg, 54 made 3PT baskets, 127 total rebounds) and sophomore guard Hailey Miller (started all 22 games, 11.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 48 total steals, 60 assists). The Nittany Lions have non-conference matchups with Gwynedd Mercy, Widener, St. John Fisher, and Neumann University before starting United East Volt Division play.
Coach’s Outlook: “We have had a rough few years but are looking to bounce back. We are looking to surprise some teams this year as we continue to rebuild. We have a strong core group of girls that have a lot of fight in them.”
Penn State Harrisburg
Penn State Harrisburg looks to build upon last season’s championship game appearance in Head Coach Ross Patrick’s 16th season in charge. The Nittany Lions are led by senior guard Jayla Galbreath (9.9 ppg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 spg, 2x second team all-conference), sophomore guard Bailey Oehmig (7.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 spg), and senior guard Ciani Redd-Howard (10.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.8 spg). The non-conference slate includes tournaments at Franklin & Marshall and Marymount as well as matchups with King’s and Messiah before the 2023-24 United East campaign begins.
Coach’s Outlook: “The recipe for success lies in the unique skill sets and relational connectivity of this season’s team. Returning players still hungry from last year’s United East Championship Game appearance include Jayla Galbreath, Ciani Redd-Howard, Jenna Montana, Mikki Wright, Bailey Oehmig, Makayla Claggett, Ja-Shae McLean, and Giahny Correa. New faces with a seat at the table include transfers Ali Lister and Nicole Hernandez, as well as first-year newcomers Desiree Michaels and Kamya Jenkins. We're ready for more … Let’s EAT!”
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Brittney Kemp enters her third season in charge of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s basketball program with an experienced squad looking for continued success after last season’s semi-final appearance. Sophomore guard Sam Blaylock (14.1 ppg, 80 3PT FG Made) will look to build upon the Rookie of the Year and All-United East Second Team debut season. The Seahawks have a non-conference matchup with Notre Dame of Maryland University and a trip to Puerto Rico to match up with 2023 NCAA Tournament participant, Knox College.
Coach’s Outlook: “I am extremely excited for this upcoming season. We are returning a great group of players who are truly all in and who all have the ability to make an impact this year. We have great leaders that are helping to continue to build on the foundation we've created together these last two years. We added six First-Years that are great players and even better people. We are truly building the culture we want, on and off the court. I am excited to see how this team continues to grow and evolve together over the course of the season!”
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.