ATLANTIC CITY, NJ— The Metro Conference announced the 2026-27 Women's Basketball Preseason All-Metro Teams and Coaches' Poll on Tuesday morning. Iona University women's basketball was represented on the preseason teams as senior Mya Zaccagnini was named to the preseason All-Metro Second Team while the Gaels were voted to finish fourth by the league's coaches.

MYA ZACCAGNINI

Zaccagnini, a two-year team captain, returns as Iona's leading returning scorer and assist leader after starting all 32 games in 2025-26. In her first season as a full-time starter, she averaged career highs of 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game, nearly doubling her scoring average from 4.3 points per game in 2024-25. Zaccagnini recorded a pair of 20-point performances last season, highlighted by a career-high 31 points against Siena on Jan. 3. Among conference returnees, she ranks sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio, eighth in assists and 15th in scoring.

METRO Preseason Poll

Fairfield, the three-time reigning champions were the unanimous preseason favorite with 13 first place votes. Siena was tabbed second with 141 points followed by Sacred Heart in third with 134. The Maroon & Gold rounded out the top four with 127 votes. Mount St. Mary's rounded out the top five with 108 points. 

Head coach Angelika Szumilo enters her fourth season at the helm of the Maroon & Gold in 2026-27. The Gaels return nine letterwinners from last season's 20-win campaign. Zaccagnini the lone returning starter is joined by classmate Claudia Fiel, juniors Adrianna Gonzalez and Nevaeh Stone along with sophomores Johanna Flores and Arianna Davis as the Iona returnees. Junior Chloe Vasquez along with redshirt freshman Wilma Tuomi return to the lineup for the Gaels after sitting out last season. The Gaels welcomed a pair of transfers in junior Anyla Herbert and senior Taylor Smith. Iona's rookie class includes Olivia White, Giselle Grant, Kaitlynn Kenna, Sophia Hickey and Alana Wells.

2026-27 METRO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL

UP NEXT

The 2026-27 season is just around the corner. Iona will hold a open scrimmage on Saturday, October 17 for Homecoming Weekend. Admission is free and there will be a in-game and postgame reception with the team. Alumni, family and friends sign up today!  Iona will begin the new season on Monday, November 2 with an 11 a.m. tip-off against Dominican University at the Hynes Athletic Center. Single game and season tickets for the 2026-2027 Iona Basketball season are on sale now. Visit IonaTickets.com to secure single-game or season tickets for the upcoming season now!