LANCASTER, PA – Coming off a trip to the Sweet 16 and an appearance in the Centennial Conference Championship game, the Johns Hopkins women's basketball team – ranked No. 7 in the WBCA and No. 8 in the D3hoops.com preseason polls – has been selected to finish second in the Centennial Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced Tuesday.
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' 2026-27 roster features seven newcomers, 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.
With the roster revamped, headed by veteran leadership, the Blue Jays will look to get back to the Centennial Conference Championship for the sixth straight season and win the program's first title since 2003.
Hopkins received four first-place votes to earn the second spot with 94 points, while Gettysburg topped the list with seven first-place votes and 97 points. Ursinus and McDaniel rounded out the top three with 75 points each.
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 WBCA Preseason Poll, on Tuesday, November 10.
2026-27 Centennial Conference Preseason Women's Basketball Poll
1. Gettysburg (7 First-Place Votes) – 97
2. Johns Hopkins (4 First-Place Votes) – 94 points
3T. Ursinus – 75
3T. McDaniel – 75
5. Dickinson – 67
6. Swarthmore – 50
7. Washington College – 40
8. Muhlenberg – 37
9. Franklin & Marshall – 33
10. Haverford – 27
11. Bryn Mawr – 10
