IMMACULATA, Pa.- The Immaculata University women's basketball team is finalizing preparations for their 2025 home opener on Saturday, when they host Moravian College at 1 p.m. inside Alumnae Hall.
The Mighty Macs return to the court following a historic 2024–25 campaign — the best season in the program's NCAA era (1982–present). Immaculata finished with a 22–4 overall record, went a perfect 10–0 in Atlantic East Conference play, captured their second Atlantic East Conference championship, and earned their second trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Preseason Overview
Immaculata enters the 2025-26 season as the favorite to repeat as Atlantic East Conference champions, earning the top spot in the AEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Mighty Macs received 40 points and three first-place votes. Marymount followed closely in second with 39 points and two first-place votes, while Neumann was third with 38 points and two first-place votes. Centenary placed fourth with 32 points and one first-place vote, followed by Marywood (26), Gwynedd Mercy (23), Saint Elizabeth (18), and Pratt (8).
Sophomore
Carly Coleman, the reigning 2024–25 Atlantic East Conference Rookie of the Year, returns after also earning Second Team All-Conference honors. Senior
Olivia Ettorre, the 2025 Atlantic East Championship Most Valuable Player, led all scorers in last year's title game with 14 points.
To qualify for the Atlantic East Conference Tournament at season's end, the Mighty Macs will need to finish among the top five in the conference standings.
Immaculata opened practice on Oct. 15 and used a pair of preseason scrimmages against Eastern University and Swarthmore College to prepare for the upcoming campaign.
"Our group has been building and improving every day," said Head Coach
Brittany Whalen. "With a large freshman class, a lot of new connections are forming, and the team chemistry is really starting to take shape. The energy's been solid; everyone's locked in, competing, and pushing each other to get better. Our focus has been on embracing every challenge with a headstrong, competitive mindset, and building confidence early by showing them they can do hard things and find success through it."
Roster Check
The 2025–26 Immaculata women's basketball roster features a balanced mix of experience and youth, with eight returning upper class students, including two seniors, and a talented class of seven freshmen joining the program.
The Mighty Macs will be led by their team captains: senior
Riley Cassidy (Ocean City, N.J. / Episcopal), senior
Olivia Ettorre (Mickleton, N.J. / Kingsway Regional), and sophomore
Carly Coleman (Springfield, Pa. / Cardinal O'Hara).
"We will be leaning heavily on all our upper-class students for leadership this season, especially with our roster split evenly between returners and first-years," said
Whalen. "Our three captains —
Riley Cassidy,
Olivia Ettorre, and
Carly Coleman — have really embraced that responsibility and continue to be excellent on and off the court. We as coaches are fostering a player-led team dynamic, and they have done an excellent job setting the tone for the group."
Immaculata also returns three juniors who are expected to play key roles this season:
Julia Pohl (Bethlehem, Pa. / Notre Dame HS),
Meg Robbins (Collegeville, Pa. / Spring-Ford), and
Emma Wagner (Beachwood, N.J. / Toms River South).
Rounding out the group of returners are sophomores
Katie McGuigan (Villas, N.J. / Lower Cape May Regional
) and
Cassidy Perri (Hammonton, N.J. / St. Joseph's Academy), both of whom will look to compete for increased roles off the bench this season.
Welcome to the Team
In addition to the core of returning players, Immaculata will welcome a talented class of seven freshmen, many of whom will look to make an immediate impact for the Mighty Macs.
The incoming class includes:
Lianna Adames (Willow Grove, Pa. / Upper Moreland),
Keira Benoit (Wilmington, DE / Delaware Military Academy),
Adriana Bristow (Vineland, N.J. / Our Lady of Mercy),
Abby Grillo (Wilmington, DE / Padua Academy),
Sofia Kouridakis (Bridgewater, N.J. / Immaculata HS),
Sabrina Little (Egg Harbor Township, N.J. / Holy Spirit), and
Morgan Robinson (Wilmington, DE / Charter School of Wilmington).
"We expect our freshmen to make an impact right away," said
Whalen. "
Abby Grillo in particular, has demonstrated the ability to step in and contribute — as have others. This group of seven brings toughness and maximum effort every day. We will plan to use different players in key roles and off the bench depending on the opponent and matchups."
Coaching Staff Updates
There will be a few changes to the Immaculata women's basketball coaching staff for the 2025-26 season. Assistant Coaches
Dave Parker and
Chelsea Turgeon return for another year with the Mighty Macs, continuing to provide valuable experience and leadership on the sidelines.
Joining the Immaculata women's basketball team coaching staff are men's basketball alumnus
John Flood, and women's basketball alumna
Tori Foster, who will make their collegiate coaching debuts this season.
"I am thrilled to welcome John (Flood) and Tori (Foster) to our coaching staff," said
Whalen. "Both are recent Immaculata graduates from their respective basketball programs who bring tremendous energy and a strong willingness to work. They have already shown great commitment to our program in coaching roles and will be valuable additions to our staff, joining
Dave Parker and
Chelsea Turgeon who have been my go-to support staff over the past few seasons."
Season Outlook
When asked about her expectations for the upcoming season, Whalen emphasized the team's collective mindset and daily commitment to improvement. "Our expectations are simple: give everything, every day, in every part of the journey."
Whalen believes that shared purpose and unity will once again be key to the Mighty Macs' success.
"When everyone buys into the shared goal of team success, it sets the stage for big things," concluded Whalen. "We are pushing to get back to the NCAA Tournament in March, but just as important, we want to make lasting memories and enjoy the ride together."
