MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Coming off three consecutive trips to the Sweet 16, the Johns Hopkins women's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season ranked eighth nationally in the D3hoops.com Preseason Poll, released Thursday. The ranking marks the second-highest preseason position in program history, trailing only the No. 6 ranking the Blue Jays received ahead of the 2024-25 and 2025-26 season.
 
Hopkins returns a strong core from last year's squad, which advanced to the Round of 16 for the third consecutive season under fourth-year head coach Rodney Rogan. Leading the group of returners are seniors Layla Henderson and Lauren Knudson, both of whom earned College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors last season, along with sophomores Jocelyn Goldstein and Faith Williamson, who each received All-Centennial honorable mention recognition.
 
The Blue Jays welcome seven newcomers to the 2026-27 roster, including one transfer and six freshmen, while returning more than 52% of last season's scoring production and 42% of its minutes. Last season, Hopkins ranked among the nation's best defensively in which it ranked first nationally in field goal percentage defense, fourth in scoring margin and seventh in scoring defense.
 
Reigning national champion Denison headlines the preseason poll after receiving 24 of 25 first-place votes, followed by NYU and Scranton to round out the top three. The Centennial Conference placed two teams in the top 25, with Gettysburg checking in at No. 17 after earning an NCAA Tournament appearance last season.
 
The Blue Jays open the 2026-27 campaign Saturday, November 7, at Goldfarb Gymnasium against Notre Dame of Maryland. Hopkins will then face Randolph-Macon, which received votes in the D3hoops.com, on Tuesday, November 10.