CRESSON, Pa. - The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) announced its 2026-27 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll, with Mount Aloysius College selected to finish third in the conference standings. Highlighting the preseason recognition, senior standout Molly Kosmack (Homer City, Pa., Homer-Center) was named the AMCC Preseason Player of the Year, becoming the first player to earn the distinction under head coach Brian Giesler.
The Mounties enter the upcoming campaign with high expectations, returning nearly their entire roster from a season ago while welcoming five talented freshmen who are expected to make immediate contributions. With a veteran group, established leadership, and an influx of young talent, Mount Aloysius looks to build on last season's postseason appearance and compete among the conference's top programs.
Mount Aloysius is coming off a 10-16 campaign in 2025-26, including an 8-8 mark in conference play. The Mounties earned a spot in the AMCC Tournament before falling to Alfred State in the opening round. Alfred State has since departed the conference, leaving an eight-team field competing for the AMCC championship this season.
Despite last season's first-round exit, the Mounties have plenty of reasons for optimism. Giesler's squad lost just one player to graduation, retaining the core of a team that gained valuable experience throughout conference play. With nearly every contributor returning, Mount Aloysius will look to turn that experience into greater success during the 2026-27 season.
Kosmack Headlines Experienced Returning Group
Leading the charge for the Mounties is senior Molly Kosmack, who enters her final collegiate season as one of the most decorated players in program history.
Kosmack earned First Team All-AMCC honors for the third consecutive season in 2025-26, having received the distinction as a freshman, sophomore, and junior. She was also named the conference's Co-Defensive Player of the Year and became the first player in Mount Aloysius women's basketball history to earn D3hoops.com All-Region recognition, receiving Third Team All-Region 7 honors.
The standout forward averaged 15.5 points per game last season, ranking sixth in the AMCC in scoring, while leading the conference in rebounds per game and field goal percentage. Kosmack shot an impressive 59.3 percent from the floor, establishing herself as one of the league's most efficient offensive players. She also ranked second in the conference in free throw percentage (85.1 percent) and total blocked shots (55), showcasing her impact on both ends of the court.
Already the program's all-time leading rebounder, Kosmack enters her senior campaign looking to add to an impressive list of individual accomplishments while helping guide the Mounties toward a conference championship.
Joining Kosmack among the team's returning leaders is senior Annalyn Isaacs (Harmony, Pa., Mars), who earned Third Team All-AMCC recognition following the 2025-26 season. Isaacs returns for her final collegiate campaign as another key piece of Mount Aloysius' experienced lineup, providing valuable leadership and an established presence on the court. Both Kosmack and Isaacs were players to watch for the Mounties this season.
Experienced Returning Core Looks to Lead Mounties
While Kosmack and Isaacs headline the returning group, Mount Aloysius brings back several other key contributors who played significant roles during the 2025-26 campaign.
Senior Mackenzie Barr (Pittsburgh, Pa., Shaler) returns for her final season after averaging 8.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game across 23 appearances last year. The 6-foot-1 forward shot 46.4 percent from the field while collecting 154 rebounds and 15 blocked shots, finishing second on the team in both categories behind Kosmack. Barr also competes for the Mount Aloysius women's volleyball program, bringing valuable experience as a two-sport student-athlete.
Junior Brionna Brown (Cranberry Township, Pa., Seneca Valley) provides another experienced option in the backcourt after appearing in all 26 games last season, including 11 starts. Brown averaged 6.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest while recording 30 assists and 25 steals. Her ability to contribute offensively and defensively gives the Mounties another reliable presence entering conference play.
Junior guard Masie Reed (Shamokin, Pa., Our Lady of Lourdes) returns after starting all 26 contests during her sophomore campaign. Reed led the Mounties with 83 assists, averaging 3.2 per game, while contributing 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per outing. Her experience directing the offense will be important as Mount Aloysius looks to establish consistency throughout the season.
Junior Ashlie Weaver (Schellsburg, Pa., Chestnut Ridge) also returns following a productive sophomore season in which she appeared in 24 games. Weaver averaged 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest while shooting an impressive 54.2 percent from the field. She also contributed 21 steals and six blocked shots, providing valuable production off the bench.
Junior Mariah Hall (New Enterprise, Pa., Northern Bedford) brings additional experience to the backcourt after appearing in 23 games, including four starts, last season. Hall recorded 26 assists and 11 steals while averaging 2.3 points per contest. Her familiarity with the program and ability to contribute in multiple areas will add depth to the Mounties' rotation.
Sophomore Taylor Doyle (Blanchard, Pa., Central Mountain) looks to build on her freshman campaign after appearing in all 26 games during the 2025-26 season. Doyle averaged 3.4 points per game while connecting on 12 three-pointers and shooting 72 percent from the free-throw line. She also contributed 18 assists and 16 steals, gaining valuable collegiate experience during her first season with the program.
Five Freshmen Join Veteran Mounties
Alongside the returning core, Giesler welcomed five freshmen to the program for the 2026-27 season. Kylie Rebert (York, Pa., Central York), Makenna Weimert (Duncansville, Pa., Hollidaysburg), Andrea Kuczma (South Park, Pa., South Park), Alayna Woomer (Tyrone, Pa., Tyrone), and Makaila Michaels (Charles Town, W.Va., Washington) make up the incoming class, with all five expected to make an immediate impact for the Mounties this season.
With only one departure from last season's squad, Mount Aloysius enters the year with a level of continuity that could prove valuable throughout the campaign. The returning players bring familiarity with Giesler's system and experience competing against the conference's top teams, while the five newcomers add depth, versatility, and additional competition throughout the lineup.
The combination of veteran leadership and promising young talent has created high expectations for the Mounties heading into the new season. After earning a conference tournament berth last year, Mount Aloysius will look to build on that experience, make a deeper postseason run, and position itself as a serious contender for the AMCC championship.
Behrend Favored to Repeat as Conference Champions
Defending AMCC champion Penn State Behrend was selected as the preseason favorite to capture another conference championship, earning the top spot in the coaches' poll. La Roche University followed in second, with Mount Aloysius rounding out the top three.
Penn State Altoona was picked fourth, followed by Carlow University in fifth. Hilbert College and Pitt-Greensburg tied for sixth, while Pitt-Bradford rounded out the preseason rankings in eighth.
The Mounties' third-place projection reflects the expectations surrounding an experienced team returning multiple All-Conference performers, including the league's Preseason Player of the Year.
Mounties Open Season Friday at Home
Mount Aloysius will officially tip off its 2026-27 campaign on Friday, November 6, when the Mounties welcome Waynesburg University to the Athletic, Convocation and Wellness Center (ACWC) for a 7:00 PM matchup.
Friday's contest will mark just the third all-time meeting between the two programs, with the series currently tied at 1-1. The Mounties and Yellow Jackets last met on December 17, 2013, nearly 13 years ago.
With a veteran roster, five promising newcomers, and one of the conference's premier players leading the way, Mount Aloysius enters the new season eager to establish itself among the AMCC's best.
The Mounties will also host Pitt-Bradford on February 6 for their annual Play4Kay game before celebrating Senior Day against Carlow on February 20. Both contests are scheduled for 4:00 p.m. inside the ACWC.
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