Photo by: Bailey Smith
11/5/2026 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - After upsetting No. 3 seed East Stroudsburg in the first round of last season's PSAC Women's Basketball Championship before falling to IUP, the Millersville University women's basketball team entered the offseason ready for a fresh start. With a new coaching staff in place, the Marauders are focused on building a new team culture and establishing their identity on the court.
New head coach and Millersville alumna Jennifer Smith returned home after 18 seasons leading Lock Haven University. Smith played for former Marauders head coach Mary Fleig, who guided Millersville to 25 PSAC Tournament appearances, 24 winning seasons, and six PSAC East Coach of the Year awards.
"I believe that it's my privilege to take over this program and rebuild it to what Coach Fleig spent her 30 years building," said Smith. "I'm excited to be back, and I do look at it as a privilege to be here."
As Smith begins rebuilding the program, she wants toughness, discipline, and team connection to define the Marauders.
"We're going to define ourselves with toughness, discipline, and being deeply connected," said Smith. "If you're going to play for me, you're going to be tough. That's how I played when I was here, and that's how I coach now. We need to pull that out of them."
For Smith, discipline goes beyond showing up on time. It means being in the right position defensively, rebounding, and consistently making the right decisions. She wants those habits to become part of the team's everyday approach.
Smith also hopes to strengthen the connection between the current team and Millersville's alumni. She wants former players to return to the gym, build relationships with current student-athletes and remain involved with the program.
"[We need to be] deeply connected, especially with our alumni," said Smith. "There is a great group that have had great relationships here and enjoyed their time. We're trying to reconnect with them, and I want them in the gym. I want them talking to our student-athletes."
Toughness and a team-first mentality will also be central to the Marauders' identity this season. Smith believes players can put the team first while still earning individual recognition.
"Our identity this year on the court has to be toughness," said Smith. "There's no option. That's what I demand out of my players. Team first is also the other thing that we push. Last year, I had four kids make all-conference teams at my previous school. You can still be team first and receive individual accolades, and that is what we're going to push here."
Millersville returns 10 players from last season, including PSAC East Freshman of the Year Daniella Ranieli and returning starters Bryn Zentner, Kelly Cleaver and Carley Berk. Smith and her new assistants, Kiera Baughman and Jenadia Jordan, added four transfers—Arianna Seitz, Mariah Shue, Naomi Zulueta and Skylar Curley—along with true freshman Emerson Seitz.
Smith sees the roster's depth and versatility as strengths heading into the 2026-27 season. She plans to challenge players to expand their roles and become comfortable playing multiple positions, giving the Marauders more options when dealing with foul trouble or injuries.
"This year's team is really balanced and deep," said Smith. "We have some kids that played a lot of games last year, and they can play different positions. We also have some other players that didn't necessarily play those positions last year, but I think they're stronger at them. So, we're going to push them outside of their comfort zone to cover all our bases."
Even the team's music reflects the culture Smith wants to build. Drowning Pool's "Bodies" serves as the Marauders' theme song, representing the toughness and physical style of play she expects from her team.
"Bodies" embodies the toughness and physical play that we're going to be all about," said Smith. "We want that toughness, and we don't want to back down from anyone. When you face us, you know we're going to be physical and we're coming for you."
With a new coaching staff, returning experience and an emphasis on toughness and togetherness, Millersville enters the 2026-27 season looking to establish a new identity while continuing the tradition built by the program's past.
The Marauders open the 2026-27 season on the road at Jefferson on Nov. 9 before competing in the Conference Challenge against the University of Charleston and Salem on Nov. 13-14. Millersville returns home to face Georgian Court on Nov. 21 before closing out November against Bowie State and Virginia State. The Marauders begin PSAC play with a road trip to California (Pa.) and Slippery Rock on Dec. 4-5. Key conference matchups include home games against Kutztown, Shippensburg, East Stroudsburg and West Chester as Millersville looks to earn a spot in the PSAC Tournament. The regular season concludes Feb. 27 at Mansfield, followed by the PSAC Tournament in March.
New head coach and Millersville alumna Jennifer Smith returned home after 18 seasons leading Lock Haven University. Smith played for former Marauders head coach Mary Fleig, who guided Millersville to 25 PSAC Tournament appearances, 24 winning seasons, and six PSAC East Coach of the Year awards.
"I believe that it's my privilege to take over this program and rebuild it to what Coach Fleig spent her 30 years building," said Smith. "I'm excited to be back, and I do look at it as a privilege to be here."
As Smith begins rebuilding the program, she wants toughness, discipline, and team connection to define the Marauders.
"We're going to define ourselves with toughness, discipline, and being deeply connected," said Smith. "If you're going to play for me, you're going to be tough. That's how I played when I was here, and that's how I coach now. We need to pull that out of them."
For Smith, discipline goes beyond showing up on time. It means being in the right position defensively, rebounding, and consistently making the right decisions. She wants those habits to become part of the team's everyday approach.
Smith also hopes to strengthen the connection between the current team and Millersville's alumni. She wants former players to return to the gym, build relationships with current student-athletes and remain involved with the program.
"[We need to be] deeply connected, especially with our alumni," said Smith. "There is a great group that have had great relationships here and enjoyed their time. We're trying to reconnect with them, and I want them in the gym. I want them talking to our student-athletes."
Toughness and a team-first mentality will also be central to the Marauders' identity this season. Smith believes players can put the team first while still earning individual recognition.
"Our identity this year on the court has to be toughness," said Smith. "There's no option. That's what I demand out of my players. Team first is also the other thing that we push. Last year, I had four kids make all-conference teams at my previous school. You can still be team first and receive individual accolades, and that is what we're going to push here."
Millersville returns 10 players from last season, including PSAC East Freshman of the Year Daniella Ranieli and returning starters Bryn Zentner, Kelly Cleaver and Carley Berk. Smith and her new assistants, Kiera Baughman and Jenadia Jordan, added four transfers—Arianna Seitz, Mariah Shue, Naomi Zulueta and Skylar Curley—along with true freshman Emerson Seitz.
Smith sees the roster's depth and versatility as strengths heading into the 2026-27 season. She plans to challenge players to expand their roles and become comfortable playing multiple positions, giving the Marauders more options when dealing with foul trouble or injuries.
"This year's team is really balanced and deep," said Smith. "We have some kids that played a lot of games last year, and they can play different positions. We also have some other players that didn't necessarily play those positions last year, but I think they're stronger at them. So, we're going to push them outside of their comfort zone to cover all our bases."
Even the team's music reflects the culture Smith wants to build. Drowning Pool's "Bodies" serves as the Marauders' theme song, representing the toughness and physical style of play she expects from her team.
"Bodies" embodies the toughness and physical play that we're going to be all about," said Smith. "We want that toughness, and we don't want to back down from anyone. When you face us, you know we're going to be physical and we're coming for you."
With a new coaching staff, returning experience and an emphasis on toughness and togetherness, Millersville enters the 2026-27 season looking to establish a new identity while continuing the tradition built by the program's past.
The Marauders open the 2026-27 season on the road at Jefferson on Nov. 9 before competing in the Conference Challenge against the University of Charleston and Salem on Nov. 13-14. Millersville returns home to face Georgian Court on Nov. 21 before closing out November against Bowie State and Virginia State. The Marauders begin PSAC play with a road trip to California (Pa.) and Slippery Rock on Dec. 4-5. Key conference matchups include home games against Kutztown, Shippensburg, East Stroudsburg and West Chester as Millersville looks to earn a spot in the PSAC Tournament. The regular season concludes Feb. 27 at Mansfield, followed by the PSAC Tournament in March.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballWednesday, October 21
Saturday, February 07
Thursday, February 05
Thursday, January 22
