Washington, D.C. - According to a poll of Atlantic 10 coaches, the Duquesne University women's basketball team has been picked to finish eighth in the conference in 2025-26. The annual preseason poll was announced Tuesday morning at the A-10 Women's Basketball Media Day, held at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The Dukes accumulated 95 total points in the preseason poll, with Richmond being selected as the preseason favorite with nine first-place votes and 188 points. George Mason was tabbed second with four first-place tallies and 185 total points while Davidson (167), Rhode Island (137), and Dayton (123) rounded out the top five. Davidson also collected one first-place vote. Saint Joseph's was selected sixth with 120 points, with VCU (110), Duquesne, Saint Louis (86), and George Washington (75) to round out the top 10.

The Dukes enter the 2025-26 season as a young yet experienced squad, returning eight letterwinners from last year's roster. The group features five sophomores and three juniors, led by standout sophomore guards Mackenzie Blackford, Nadia Moore, and Faith Walker. Blackford appeared in 33 games with two starts, averaging 8.2 points while shooting 42.5 percent from the field. She knocked down 70 three-pointers, ranking second on the team, fifth in the A-10, and finishing second in the conference in three-point percentage at 38.7 percent. Moore added 5.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game over 31 contests (eight starts), connecting on 35.6 percent of her attempts from deep. Walker also saw action in 33 games with three starts, establishing herself as Duquesne's top defender at the point of the press and regularly matching up with opposing teams' leading scorers.

Duquesne is led by Dan Burt, who is in his 13th season at the helm of the Dukes and 19th year overall. Last season, Burt led the Dukes to a 21-13 overall record (.618), including a 9-9 mark (.500) in Atlantic 10 play. The 21 wins tied for the sixth most in school history while securing the seventh 20-win campaign under his leadership. Duquesne recorded 13 wins at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in 2024-25, marking their third straight season with double-digit home victories. It also represents the 17th season in program history that Duquesne has reached double figures in home wins

Six newcomers will suit up in the blue and white for the first time this season, a group that features three transfers and three freshmen. Among them are two of the top rebounding additions, Maja Rohkohl (Gardner-Webb) and Harriet Ford (Omaha), who each averaged better than 6.0 rebounds per game at their previous programs. The Dukes also add an efficient scoring threat in Dunja Zecevic (UTEP), who connected on 40.7 percent of her shots from the field. Rounding out the class is standout freshman Alexis Bordas, a three-time West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year, who is expected to make an immediate impact in her freshman campaign.

Duquesne opens its 2025-26 season, Monday, Nov. 3, with a 2:00 p.m. tip against Saint Francis inside UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. It is part of a doubleheader, with the men's team hosting Niagara at 7:00 p.m. Deposits for season tickets for the 2025-26 season are now being accepted. Fans wishing to renew, upgrade or purchase season tickets for the first time can use the following link to secure seats for next year.

2025-26 Atlanitc 10 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. Richmond (9)	188
2. George Mason (4)	185
3. Davidson (1)	167
4. Rhode Island	137
5. Dayton	123
6. Saint Joseph's	120
7. VCU	110
8. Duquesne	95
9. Saint Louis	86
10. George Washington	75
11. Fordham	63
12. La Salle	56
13. Loyola Chicago	43
14. St. Bonaventure	22

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For the latest news and updates for Duquesne women's basketball, follow @DuqWBB on Twitter (X) and Instagram all season.

 

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