NORTHAMPTON - Following another historic campaign, the Smith College basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with championship aspirations once again under head coach Lynn Hersey, who begins her 20th season leading the Bears. 

"Our goal this year is definitive and clear: we are chasing a national championship," said head coach Lynn Hersey. "Rather than hiding from the pressure and expectations that come with that standard, our program is running toward them."

Gameday at the Birthplace
Smith is bringing the excitement of a college basketball pregame show to campus. This Saturday, November 7, Smith will be hosting the first ever Division III Women's Basketball Gameday starting at 2:00pm. It will be a fun-filled day of community and celebrating the trajectory of women's basketball at Smith, from its origin right here on our campus, to the numerous historic milestones that our team has tallied over the past six seasons. 

Inspired by the atmosphere and energy of ESPN College GameDay, Gameday at the Birthplace will bring together students, faculty, staff, and fans for a high-energy celebration ahead of Smith basketball action. The event will feature a pregame show, exclusive highlight videos, live interviews with Smith College President Sarah WIllie LeBreton, Athletic Director Kristin Hughes, and Head Coach Lynn Hersey, gameday food by local restaurants, free t-shirts, a beer garden, 360 degree photobooth, build-a-bear, and face painting before Smith begins the 2026-27 season at 4:00pm vs Immaculata. 

2:00pm - Gameday at the Birthplace - CLICK HERE TO WATCH
4:00pm - No. 5 Smith vs Immaculata - CLICK HERE TO WATCH
**Both are free to watch at the links above

National Rankings
Smith, projected to finish first in the NEWMAC Preseason Poll, comes into the season ranked No. 5 nationally in the D3hoops.com preseason poll and No. 6 in the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA) Top 25 Coaches' Poll. 

Top Returning Talent
Reigning NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover), a Preseason Fourth Team All-American, returns to anchor the lineup after a dominant 2025-26 season. Martin averaged 12.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game last season while shooting 46 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the arc. She enters the season just seven points shy of 1,000 in her career. Also back for the Bears is senior forward Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest), an Honorable Mention All-America selection last season who started 29 of 30 games while averaging 12.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and shot 43.7 percent from 3-point range. Returning starters also include guard Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park) for a fifth year, senior guard Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran), and senior guard Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep), who was named to the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team a year ago. 

New Faces
Five newcomers are on the roster in 2026-27 - Summer Warren (Canton, MA/Brooks School), Gabriella Mittelman (Glen Rock, NJ/Northern Valley Demarest), Gracie Ward (Frederick, CO/Holy Family), Breena Hannon (East Providence, RI/Northfield Mount Hermon), and Ella Trefethen (Bow, NH/Milton Academy)

"We are incredibly excited about the composition of this year's roster," said Hersey. We return a seasoned, experienced group of veterans who understand exactly what it takes to win at the highest level. Alongside them, we welcome a dynamic and talneted group of first-years who bring fresh energy and competitive fire to our culture. Together, they form a hungry, unified squad that is focused on winning through their commitment to culture and chemistry.

Early Opportunities
In non-conference action, Smith will play two teams ranked in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll at No. 11 Bowdoin on November 17 and No. 20 Bates at home on Sunday, January 3. Smith will face RV Johnson & Wales on Saturday, November 21 at 2:00pm inside Ainsworth Gymnasium. 

Historic Success

• The Bears have continued their remarkable run of success, capturing six consecutive NEWMAC titles, a conference record for men's and women's programs
• Smith has an overall record of 144-14 over the last five seasons
• The Bears have reached seven-straight NCAA Tournaments with back-to-back national championship appearances in 2024 and 2025
• Smith has posted an 82-4 home record over the last five seasons

"The community of Smith supports us unlike any other in Division III, with incredible sell-out crowds and the highest viewership ratings on FloSports for men's or women's programs in the NEWMAC," said Hersey. "We pride ourselves on being different here at Smith, and your support is the perfect example of that. We can't wait to see you in the stands as we embark on this journey together."

About Smith Athletics Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information, log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow the Bears on Facebook and Instagram.