A New Era for the Richmond Spiders
The Atlantic 10 Conference announced the 2026‑27 women’s basketball pairings this week, laying out an 18‑game conference schedule that blends home‑and‑away battles with a handful of road‑only contests. Richmond will host Duquesne, Davidson, VCU, Saint Joseph’s and St. Bonaventure on its home floor at the Robins Center, while traveling to face Loyola Chicago, La Salle, Fordham and the reigning A‑10 champion Rhode Island.
The upcoming season marks a milestone for the program, which has logged three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and a fourth consecutive 20‑win campaign. Those achievements have set a high bar for the team as it prepares to defend its recent success.
Alisa Kresge, the newly hired head coach, brings a proven track record from her tenure at Vermont, where she guided the Catamounts to five straight 20‑win seasons and three NCAA Tournament berths. Her arrival signals a fresh direction for the Spiders as they look to build on the foundation laid by previous coaching staff.
Key returning players include Ally Sweeney, Ava Persichetti, Rayne Wright, Aneisha Scott, Shaneka Campbell and Payton Richard. Their experience should provide continuity and leadership as the roster integrates new talent.
The incoming class features Duquesne transfer Harriet Ford along with freshmen Josie Fontana, Kate Schindler, Bridget Rifenburg, Emma Schoen, Alexandra Vandiver and Hanna Tjernberg. Each newcomer adds depth and versatility to a squad that aims to maintain its competitive edge.
Kresge’s coaching staff is rounded out by associate head coaches Will Lanier and Sacha Santimano, assistants Shenita Landry and Nevena Marković, chief of staff Sam Brenner, and video coordinator Logan Miller. Together they will guide the team through a demanding schedule that includes both home‑court advantages and challenging away environments.