INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Lake Erie College women's basketball team is set to begin a new era under first-year head coach Mikayla Lopez. 

The Storm, who were selected 12th in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Preseason Coaches Poll, have recorded just nine wins over the last two seasons, but welcomed an influx of new talent to accompany a strong returning core to this season's squad. 

"Our vision for this season is bigger than wins and losses," Lopez said. "It's about building a standard, creating a culture, and becoming a team that represents something bigger than ourselves. Our expectations are rooted in the habits we create, in how we compete, and in how we show up for one another every single day. The goal is to build something that lasts" 

Redshirt sophomore Jaicee Wallace is the Storm's top returning scorer as she netted 4.7 points per game while redshirt junior Sophie Chipps was close behind at 4.3 points per game while starting 15 of 26 games played. 

Sophomore forward Sydney Shocklee, who made 16 starts as a rookie, is poised to take the next step in year two, as is classmate Melanie Alvarenga, who shot 38.5 percent from beyond the arc as a rookie. Junior Micheala Dean-Dunn and redshirt-freshman Rylee Szojka round out the group of returners. 

Dayton, Ohio, native Nico Cornett headlines the robust list of newcomers after she helped Kettering Fairmont to the 2026 OHSAA Division I State Championship and a 28-0 season. Fellow rookie Tatum Smith also brings strong high school experience to the Storm coming off an OHSAA Division III State Championship runner-up finish at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. 

Junior transfers Onyinyechi Sanders (Shawnee State) and Serenity Odom (Southern Wesleyan) bring size and strength to the front court along with 6-foot-5 first-year Chloe Rumelhart.

LEC opens the season at home on Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. against Davis & Elkins College. The G-MAC slate commences Dec. 3 with a home tilt against Ursuline. 

2026-27 Women's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Northwood- 141 points (10 first-place votes)
2. Ashland-126 points (3 first-place votes)
3. Walsh- 123 points
4. Thomas More- 110 points
5. Findlay- 91 points
6. Hillsdale- 88 points
7. Kentucky Wesleyan- 86 points
8. Malone- 77 points
9. Cedarville- 53 points
10. Ohio Dominican- 47 points
11. Tiffin- 34 points
12. Lake Erie- 21 points
13. Ursuline- 17 points