BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Gulf South Conference released the preseason poll and team ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Lady Bulldogs claimed the second slot following their GSC Championship win in the 2025-26 season.

UAH claimed the top spot after a historic year, receiving 7 votes for the top of the conference. Union received 3 votes.

Sean Blackburn steps into his inaugural season as head coach, taking the place of Mark Campbell. Blackburn has been with the program as an assistant coach since 2021, helping to shape Union Women's Basketball. Before that, he spent time as an assistant for Union Men's Basketball.

Olivia Lee was named to the Preseason All-GSC Team for the second year in a row. Last season, the Jackson native surpassed 1000 points. She also received a handful of recognitions, including a spot on the WBCA All-American team, GSC All-Tournament Team (Most Outstanding Player), D2CCA All-South Region First Team, First Team All-GSC, and a GSC Player of the Week. She is a member of the GSC Honor Roll, GSC All-Academic, and the CSC Academic All-District. 

The GSC Newcomers to Watch list included transfers Tiara Hozumi and Claire Hyde.

Hozumi comes to Jackson from Georgia Southwestern, originally from Chiba, Japan. Last season, the guard started 19 games and amounted 119 assists and 100 points.

Hyde comes to Union from Belmont University. Before then, she played a season at Morton College where she was named to the 2022-23 NJCAA DII All-America First Team. At Belmont, she was featured in 44 games off the bench.

The Lady Bulldogs kick off the season during Homecoming Week with an exhibition against LaGrange College. Fans can enjoy free admission all season thanks to the generosity of FirstBank.

To keep up with the squad, follow @UUBasketball on Instagram and Twitter.

-UNION-