BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Gulf South Conference announced its 2026-27 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll and Newcomers to Watch list, with three University of Montevallo women's basketball players earning recognition ahead of the upcoming season.
Freshman
Gracelyn Carmichael, junior
Brooklyn Phillips and sophomore
Bree Sexton were named to the GSC Newcomers to Watch list, while the Falcons were selected ninth in the preseason coaches poll with 26 points. Carmichael joins the Falcons from Laurel High School in Laurel, Miss. Phillips arrives at Montevallo from Coastal Alabama Community College-South. A native of Pinson, Ala., the 5-foot-8 junior guard brings collegiate experience to the Falcons' backcourt. Sexton joins Montevallo after spending time at Snead State Community College. The Scottsboro, Ala., native enters her sophomore season as a 5-foot-10 guard and adds another collegiate-experienced player to the Falcons' roster.
Montevallo enters the 2026-27 campaign looking to build on last season's 5-22 overall record and 4-18 mark in GSC play. The Falcons finished eighth in the 2025-26 preseason poll with 53 points.
GSC Preseason Coaches Poll
Montevallo was picked to finish ninth in the 2026-27 GSC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving 26 points.
UAH earned the top spot with 96 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Union with 90 points and three first-place votes. Lee rounded out the top three with 80 points and one first-place vote.
Delta State was selected fourth with 73 points, followed by Trevecca Nazarene (70), Valdosta State (56), West Alabama (45) and Mississippi Christian (34).
Montevallo finished ahead of Auburn Montgomery (25) and Christian Brothers (10).
2026-27 GSC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1 |
UAH (7) |
96 |
| 2 |
Union (3) |
90 |
| 3 |
Lee (1) |
80 |
| 4 |
Delta State |
73 |
| 5 |
Trevecca Nazarene |
70 |
| 6 |
Valdosta State |
56 |
| 7 |
West Alabama |
45 |
| 8 |
Mississippi Christian |
34 |
| 9 |
Montevallo |
26 |
| 10 |
Auburn Montgomery |
25 |
| 11 |
Christian Brothers |
10 |
First-place votes in parentheses.
Looking Ahead
The Falcons return four players from last season's roster, while welcoming a large group of newcomers for the 2026-27 campaign.
Montevallo will open its season on Friday, Oct. 30, against Huntingdon College at Central State Bank Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
The Falcons will then travel to Birmingham to face Samford on Monday, Nov. 2, before continuing their nonconference schedule.
