The Lady Flames are coming off an 18-13 campaign in the first season under head coach Alexis Sherard, finishing 11-7 in conference play and reaching the CUSA Tournament semifinals for the third consecutive season. Now, with four returning starters, an experienced frontcourt, and a group of newcomers expected to contribute, Liberty has an opportunity to build on that foundation.
The preseason coaches’ poll reflects those expectations. Liberty was picked third in CUSA, narrowly trailing Middle Tennessee, while defending tournament champion Missouri State claimed the top spot. The Lady Flames also received three selections to the preseason All-Conference team, signaling that the league’s coaches expect Liberty to remain in the championship conversation.
Sherard’s second season will be about turning a promising first year into a team capable of winning the regular-season race and making another run at the conference tournament title.
Year two under Alexis Sherard
Liberty’s transition to a new era began last season when Sherard took over following Carey Green’s retirement after 26 seasons. Sherard had spent 18 years on Green’s staff, giving him a deep understanding of the program and its expectations. His first season brought an 18-13 record despite significant roster turnover from the championship team of 2024-25. Liberty finished tied for third in CUSA at 11-7 and reached the conference tournament semifinals, establishing a solid starting point for the new head coach.
The next step is turning that initial progress into a more consistent contender. Liberty will need to replace the production of Avery Mills, who transferred to Tennessee after averaging 15.3 points per game and making 82 three-pointers last season. That is a significant loss for a team that relied on her scoring and perimeter shooting.
Sherard’s challenge will be finding new scoring options without sacrificing the defensive identity that helped the Lady Flames compete in her first season. Liberty led CUSA in opponent field-goal percentage and rebounding margin in 2025-26, two strengths that could again provide a foundation for success.
Three preseason All-CUSA selections headline Liberty’s roster
Emmy Stout — Center
Stout is one of Liberty’s most important returning players after averaging 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season. The 6-foot-3 center also contributed as a rim protector and recorded four double-doubles. Named to the preseason All-CUSA team for a second consecutive year, Stout gives Sherard an established scoring presence in the paint.
Ify Nwaobi — Forward
Nwaobi emerged as one of the league’s top rebounders during her freshman campaign, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game while contributing 9.2 points. She also led Liberty in blocked shots. Her ability to control the glass and create second-chance opportunities will be particularly important as the Lady Flames adjust to their changed perimeter rotation.
Sophia Gregory — Forward
Gregory is a major addition after transferring from Youngstown State. She averaged 10.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.5 blocks per game last season, earning Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year honors. Her versatility could help Liberty offset the loss of Mills by contributing in multiple areas while strengthening the frontcourt.
Liberty’s trio of preseason All-CUSA selections tied Missouri State for the most from any program. That recognition underscores the Lady Flames’ strength around the basket, with Stout and Nwaobi providing continuity and Gregory bringing proven production from another conference.
Other key players to watch
The frontcourt may be the team’s most recognizable strength, but Liberty’s returning guards and new additions will help determine how high its ceiling can be.
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Claudia Acin: The senior guard averaged 7.4 points and 4.0 assists per game last season. Her playmaking will be particularly valuable as Liberty looks to redistribute the offense following Mills’ departure.
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Elisabeth Aegisdottir: A returning senior forward who started all 29 games she played last season, Aegisdottir brings experience and continuity to the rotation.
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Layla Scott: The junior guard arrives from Johnson County Community College after earning NJCAA Division II first-team All-American honors twice. She helped lead her program to a national championship in 2024-25 and could be an important addition to Liberty’s backcourt.
Liberty also welcomes freshmen Peace Ashina, Trinity Holsinger, Kendyl Smith and Amari Worsham as part of a six-player newcomer class. Their development, along with Scott’s transition to Division I basketball, will help determine how effectively Sherard can build the rotation around the established returners.
The top contenders in Conference USA
The 2026-27 conference race looks competitive, with three programs emerging at the top of the preseason poll and several others capable of making a run.
1. Missouri State Lady Bears
Preseason No. 1 · 90 points
The defending CUSA Tournament champions are the preseason favorites after finishing 23-13 and earning the league’s NCAA Tournament bid. Senior guard Kaemyn Bekemeier, the preseason Player of the Year, averaged 17.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Missouri State also returns Lainie Douglas and Maiesha Washington, giving the Lady Bears a strong core to defend their title.
2. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Preseason No. 2 · 84 points
The Blue Raiders finished 17-16 overall and 11-7 in conference play last season. Sophomore Blair Baugus returns after earning CUSA Freshman of the Year honors, averaging 13.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Senior guard Mya Koné, another preseason All-CUSA selection, adds experience. Middle Tennessee’s history of conference success makes it a significant obstacle in Liberty’s pursuit of the top spot.
3. FIU Panthers
Preseason No. 4 · 70 points
FIU finished 21-12 last season, placing second in the regular-season standings before falling in the CUSA Tournament semifinals. The Panthers also advanced to the second round of the WNIT. Although the preseason poll places them behind Liberty, their recent results make them a team the Lady Flames cannot overlook.
4. Sam Houston Bearkats
Preseason No. 5 · 60 points
Sam Houston also finished 11-7 in conference play last season, tying Liberty for third place. Forward Deborah Ogayemi returns after averaging 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and earning preseason All-CUSA recognition. The Bearkats have enough returning production to remain part of the conference race.
The top three teams in the poll have combined to win the last four CUSA Tournament championships: Middle Tennessee in 2023 and 2024, Liberty in 2025, and Missouri State in 2026. That recent history makes the preseason top three especially intriguing, with Liberty seeking to reclaim the title it won two seasons ago.
Schedule and season outlook
Liberty opens its season on November 2 against Frostburg State at Liberty Arena. The Lady Flames will play 5 home games before beginning their conference schedule on January 2 at Delaware. The CUSA slate includes 18 games, with each of the other nine conference members appearing twice. The 2027 CUSA Tournament will be held March 9-13 in Huntsville, Alabama.
The path to another championship will not be easy. Missouri State enters the season as the defending tournament champion, Middle Tennessee has the talent to challenge at the top, and FIU and Sam Houston both have reason to believe they can make noise. For Liberty, the formula starts with its frontcourt. Stout, Nwaobi and Gregory give Sherard three proven contributors who can score, rebound and defend. If the guards can replace enough of Mills’ perimeter production and the newcomers make an early impact, the Lady Flames should have the pieces to compete with the league’s best.
Sherard’s first season demonstrated that Liberty could remain competitive through a significant coaching and roster transition. His second season presents a different challenge: moving from establishing a foundation to contending for championships. Liberty enters 2026-27 with a top-three preseason ranking and three All-CUSA selections. The expectations are clear. Now the Lady Flames must turn that potential into results on the court.
