SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota women's basketball landed eighth in the Summit League's 2026-27 preseason poll, the league announced on Tuesday.

The Fighting Hawks secured 121 points in the poll. North Dakota State was slotted as the preseason favorites with 456 points, as well as 24 first-place votes.

Second-year head coach Dennis Hutter returns six student-athletes from last season's squad, including junior sharpshooter Sydney Piekny and sophomore guard London Harris. Piekny led the team in 3-pointers last season with 44 on the year, while Harris inserted herself as an influential young talent looking to make a jump in her second collegiate campaign.

Lauren Hillesheim, Kendra Harvey and Lauren Reardon join Harris as other returning sophomores, each with gametime experience from last season. Addison Klosterbuer also returns to Grand Forks for her senior season after missing the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign due to injury.

Ciona Wells and Abby Duchscherer highlight an exciting group of transfers for the Fighting Hawks. Wells led Division II in assist-to-turnover ratio last season at Western Oregon, while Duchscherer will officially make the transition to basketball after a four-year career playing softball at Alabama. The Kindred, N.D., native was named the North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020 as a sophomore for Kindred High School, averaging 20.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.2 steals.

Jayda Maves (Western Colorado), Juliana Haddad (Northern Illinois) and Aliyah Green (Butler CC) also joined North Dakota in the offseason. That trio boasts more than 100 combined games to contribute a wealth of knowledge to the North Dakota cause.

Hutter's inaugural signing class will consist of guards Maggie Fricke, Mia Jacobson and Jayden Sonnenberg, as well as forward/center Kinley Smith. Each will look to make an impact early in their collegiate careers.
 
2026-27 All-Summit League Women's Basketball

Preseason First Team
Elauni Bennett, Kansas City
Marisa Frost, North Dakota State|
Molly Joyce, South Dakota
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State
Alyssa Sand, St. Thomas
Jocelyn Schiller, North Dakota State

Preseason Second Team
Karrington Asp, North Dakota State
Katie Vasecka, South Dakota State
Emilee Fox, South Dakota State
Emani Bennett, Kansas City
Hadley Thul, South Dakota State

Preseason Player of the Year
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State

Poll
1. North Dakota State, 456 points (24 first place votes)
2. South Dakota State, 429 (8)
3. South Dakota, 359
4. St. Thomas, 283
5. Oral Roberts, 253
6. Kansas City, 212
7. Omaha, 151
8. North Dakota, 121

For more information on North Dakota Women's Basketball, follow on social media @UNDwbasketball or visit FightingHawks.com.