JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Basketball season is almost here in Johnson City, and the East Tennessee State women's basketball program has plenty of reasons to be excited about what lies ahead.
After capturing a share of the Southern Conference regular-season championship during the 2025–26 campaign, the Buccaneers enter the 2026–27 season looking to prove that last year's success was just the beginning.
Under head coach Brenda Mock Brown, ETSU has continued building a program capable of competing for conference championships. With experienced returning players, talented newcomers, and a challenging schedule ahead, the Buccaneers have their sights set on bringing another championship back to Johnson City.
However, despite entering the season as defending co-champions, ETSU was picked fourth in the Southern Conference preseason coaches poll.
For a team that knows what it takes to win the conference, that could provide some extra motivation.
Experience Could Be ETSU's Biggest Strength
One of the biggest advantages ETSU brings into the new season is its returning experience.
The Buccaneers return several players who contributed to last season's championship run, including senior Daniela López and junior Carmen Richardson, who were both selected to the preseason All-Southern Conference team.
López appeared in 26 games last season, averaging 8.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. The Barcelona, Spain native also connected on 39 three-pointers and delivered one of the most memorable performances of the season when she scored a career-high 28 points in a double-overtime victory over Chattanooga.
Richardson also returns after an impressive sophomore campaign that saw her average 8.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. She appeared in all 31 contests, making 30 starts, and earned All-SoCon Defensive Team honors.
Another returning player worth watching is junior guard Lucy Hood. The Rabun Gap, Georgia native appeared in 28 games last season, making eight starts while averaging 4.0 points per contest. Hood connected on 34 three-pointers and reached double figures three times. Her ability to stretch the floor could be an important part of ETSU's offense this season.
The Buccaneers also welcome back Jaidyn Harper, Yanessa Boyd, SaBreya Monsanto, Emmah McAmis, and Lucia France.
Monsanto appeared in 28 games during her freshman campaign, recording 82 points, 76 rebounds, and 22 steals. France, meanwhile, provides returning experience in the frontcourt after appearing in 20 games last season.
Having this many familiar faces should benefit ETSU, especially when conference play begins. These players understand the expectations of the program and know what it takes to compete against Southern Conference opponents.
The biggest question will be whether that experience can translate into another championship-caliber season.
New Faces Bring New Opportunities
While returning experience will play an important role, the Buccaneers also have several newcomers who could make an immediate impact.
One of the most intriguing additions is 6-foot-5 center Elsa Vadfors, a redshirt freshman who previously attended Kentucky.
Originally from Hudiksvall, Sweden, Vadfors brings significant size to ETSU's frontcourt. She also has international experience, having represented Sweden at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket.
ETSU also added senior guard/forward Sydney-James Desroches, who previously played at Eastern Illinois. At 6-foot, Desroches provides another experienced option who could help the Buccaneers on both ends of the floor.
Freshmen Lovely Gabriel, Alanna Tatum, and Carleyssia Wallace round out the incoming group.
Tatum arrives from Potter's House Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, where she scored more than 1,000 career points and earned first-team All-SIAA honors.
Gabriel brings additional size to the frontcourt at 6-foot-3, while Wallace gives the Buccaneers another young forward to develop.
The biggest challenge for these newcomers will be adjusting to the college game and finding their roles within an established program.
If the Buccaneers can develop chemistry early, their combination of returning experience and incoming talent could make them a difficult team to face as the season progresses.
A Challenging Schedule Awaits
ETSU won't have to wait long to find out where it stands.
The Buccaneers officially open their season on November 3 against West Florida at Brooks Gymnasium before traveling to Clemson on November 5.
The matchup against Clemson will provide ETSU with an early opportunity to measure itself against Power Four competition.
The Buccaneers will also face Elon, Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, Kennesaw State, UNC Asheville, and Louisville during November.
The November 29 matchup against Louisville is particularly intriguing. Facing an established ACC program on the road should provide a valuable test before conference play begins.
December features additional matchups against Radford, Morehead State, Southern Indiana, Charleston Southern, and Charlotte.
ETSU will play 15 home games during the regular season, including 13 at Brooks Gymnasium and two at Freedom Hall.
These nonconference games will be important for a team looking to establish its identity, develop chemistry, and prepare for another competitive Southern Conference schedule.
The Southern Conference Won't Make It Easy
Winning a conference championship is difficult. Defending one can be even harder.
The Buccaneers will once again have to navigate a challenging Southern Conference schedule featuring programs such as Chattanooga, Wofford, Mercer, Samford, and UNC Greensboro.
The conference also welcomes Tennessee Tech, which joins after spending 75 seasons in the Ohio Valley Conference.
ETSU opens conference play on December 29 against Tennessee Tech before hosting Western Carolina on January 2.
One matchup that should be circled on the calendar is the January 9 meeting with Samford at Freedom Hall.
The Bulldogs eliminated ETSU from last season's Southern Conference Tournament in the semifinals, giving the Buccaneers an opportunity to respond when the two programs meet again.
Another important matchup comes February 20, when Chattanooga visits Johnson City.
The rivalry between ETSU and Chattanooga has produced plenty of memorable moments over the years, and another late-season meeting could have major implications for the conference standings.
ETSU will close its regular season on February 23 at UNC Greensboro.
If the Buccaneers want to finish at the top of the standings again, consistency will be essential. Winning at home is important, but finding ways to earn victories on the road could ultimately separate the championship contenders from the rest of the conference.
What Will Determine ETSU's Success?
For the Buccaneers, three things stand out entering the new season: leadership, development, and consistency.
The returning veterans must establish the standard early, particularly as the younger players continue adjusting to the college game.
Players such as López and Richardson will be expected to lead the way, but ETSU will also need contributions from the rest of its rotation.
A championship-caliber team cannot depend on just one or two players every night, especially when injuries, foul trouble, and difficult road environments become factors.
The development of the newcomers will also be important. ETSU has added intriguing talent, particularly in the frontcourt, but that talent must translate into production on the court.
Finally, the Buccaneers must approach every conference matchup with the same level of intensity.
Last season's championship was an accomplishment worth celebrating, but it won't win any games this season.
That responsibility belongs to the players taking the floor in 2026–27.
My Outlook
There is plenty to like about this ETSU women's basketball team.
The Buccaneers have championship experience, returning leadership, an intriguing group of newcomers, and a coaching staff that has already demonstrated its ability to compete at the top of the Southern Conference.
The preseason fourth-place ranking is interesting, especially considering what this program accomplished a season ago.
But preseason rankings don't decide championships. Games do.
I believe ETSU has a legitimate opportunity to compete for another Southern Conference regular-season championship, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Buccaneers in the conversation for a conference tournament title as well.
My biggest concern is how quickly the newcomers develop chemistry with the returning players. If that comes together, this could be a dangerous team once conference play arrives.
I also believe the Buccaneers have several players capable of taking another step forward this season. Richardson and López will certainly be important, but contributions from players like Hood, Harper, Monsanto, and the rest of the returning group could make a major difference.
The ultimate goal should be bigger than simply repeating last season's success.
This program has an opportunity to take another step forward and pursue an NCAA Tournament appearance.
For now, the focus turns to November 3 and the beginning of another season in Johnson City.
The Buccaneers have already shown they can reach the top of the Southern Conference.
Now it's time to find out whether they can stay there.
And if there's one thing I've learned about this program, it's that ETSU shouldn't be overlooked.
The road to another championship starts now.
