BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Delta State University women's basketball program has three players named to the Gulf South Conference Newcomers to Watch list as the Lady Statesmen were picked fourth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll released by the Conference this afternoon.

The Lady Statesmen were picked fourth with 73 points. UAH were the preseason favorites with 96 points and seven first-place votes. Behind UAH is Union with 90 points and three first-place votes, and Lee with 80 points and one first-place vote.

Junior guard Vivian Sketoe, freshman guard Sydney Glahn, and freshman guard Maddie Mannion were the trio named to the GSC Newcomers to Watch list.

Sketoe transferred to Delta State from conference rival Mississippi College in the spring. As a Choctaw in 2025-26, the Lake Arthur, La., native led MC with 69 assists and 39 steals. Sketoe averaged 9 points per game, shooting 33.0 percent from beyond the arch and 42.9 percent from the field

Glahn is an incoming freshman for the Lady Statesmen coming from nearby Oxford, Miss. Glahn was a two-sport athlete at Oxford High School, playing basketball and soccer. As a Charger, Glahn earned all-state, all-region and first team all-district performer. Glahn transferred to Oxford her senior year of high school from Mount Pisgah High School outside of Atlanta. During her senior season, she surpassed the 1,000-point mark in her high school career.

Mannion is another freshman guard with high aspirations on the Lady Statesmen roster for the 2026-27 season. The Vilonia, Ark., native holds the record for most three-point field goals in Vilonia High School history along with knocking down the most three-pointers in a season in the history of girls high school basketball in the state of Arkansas. Mannion has led Vilonia High School to two state championship appearances, one her sophomore year and the other her junior year.

The Lady Statesmen will have a pregame exhibition on the road Wednesday, October 28^th against Arkansas State before they open their 2026-27 season with a trip to Illinois, to take on the Bearcats from McKendree University on Monday, Nov. 9^th.