Lyndonville, VT - The Vermont State University Lyndon women's basketball team tips off their 2026-27 season this weekend at the annual Vermont State University Tip-Off Classic, hosted this year by Vermont State University Johnson. The Hornets will play Vermont State University Randolph in the opening round Saturday at 2:00 pm. That game will be preceded by the other first round matchup between host VTSU Johnson and Paul Smith's College. Saturday's winners will meet for the Classic championship Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm. The championship game will be preceded by a 12:00 pm consolation game.
Lyndon graduated three starters from the 2025-26 season: 3rd Team All-North Atlantic Conference forward Kiara Mack (Winooski, VT), along with guards Kadienne Whitcomb (West Burke, VT) and Ella Huntington (Taylorsville, UT). However the Hornets return two starters, junior wing Skylar Begay (Tucson, AZ) and senior guard Nei'Shae Clegg (Coolidge, AZ). Begay, a 2nd Team All-Conference selection, averaged a team best 13.2 points per game and added 5.1 rebounds per contest. Clegg averaged 6.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game a year ago.
Sophomore post player Keira Quintal Sheffield, VT) also returns and is expected to take on an expanded role this season. Quintal averaged 4.2 points and 6.2 rebounds and blocked 43 shots in her rookie campaign. Forward Kaitlyn Frydenlund (Westminster, CO), wings Chloe Murphy (Manchester, NH), Hawa Mubarak (Burlington, VT), and Haylee Walker (Sierra Blanca, TX), and sophomore guard Taliyah Carter (Ozark, AL) also return.
Two freshmen round out the roster. Guard Cori Carrier (Reno, NV) averaged 14.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game over her career at Procter R. Hug High School. Forward Diana Tafoya (Arlington, VT) will add depth to the Hornet frontcourt.
Robin Andrea returns for his second season guiding the Hornets. He is optimistic that his team will continued their climb up the North Atlantic Conference standings. "I am excited to take build upon the terrific foundation our seniors helped build last season with a large group of young returners that are hungry to taking positive steps forward."
Andrea will be assisted by Keith Holmes and Whitley Stookey.
Lyndon finished 14-12 overall and 9-9 in NAC play a year ago, good for sixth place in the conference standings, and reached the quarterfinals where they fell to eventual champion University of Maine at Farmington. The Hornets will be seeking their eighth playoff berth in the past nine seasons.
After this weekend's Tip-Off Classic, the Hornets will travel to Emmanuel College for the EC Tip-Off Tournament on November 14th and 15th. The home opener will be on November 19th when Plymouth State University comes to Stannard Gymnasium. The Hornets open NAC play on January 9th when they travel to Thomas College.
