BRONX – The nationally ranked No. 8 Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball team will open the 2026-27 season with a pair of games in the Brookdale Community College Classic this weekend in Lincroft, N.J.

The defending Region 15 and Northeast District Champions will kick off the year on Saturday against NJCAA Division II Middlesex College. Tipoff at Robert J. Collins Arena is set for 1 p.m. The Express will conclude the Brookdale Classic on Sunday against Hudson County Community College at 2 p.m.

There will be live streaming video for both contests and then live stats for Sunday's game. Fans can access the live coverage at www.MonroeExpress.com/Coverage.

Express Head Coach Damel Ling returns for his fourth year with the Blue and Gold and he has bold expectations for his team this season. "Our goal is to win a national championship this year," Ling said.

The full preseason interview with Coach Ling can be accessed here.

Last season, Monroe won both the Region 15 and Northeast District Championships. The Express earned a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament and just fell short in the opening round to Fulton-Montgomery Community College, 64-63, in overtime. Monroe aims to take the next step this upcoming year and build on last year's success. The Express won six games against nationally ranked opponents in 2025-26.

This year will be a tough schedule for Monroe as there will be several contests against nationally ranked NJCAA Division III opponents, as well as a good portion of games against elite NJCAA Division II competition.

The full 2026-27 Monroe Express women's basketball schedule can be seen here.

It is a balance of experience and youth for Monroe this year as seven returners and seven newcomers will fill out the active roster. The notable returner for Monroe this year is Winter Smith who was named NJCAA Division III Player of the Week and earned a spot on the Region 15 All-Tournament team during her freshman year in the 2024-25 season. She will provide a spark in the backcourt. In the frontcourt, Aleshia Belizaire will be entering her rookie season and will team with another newcomer, Khaliyah Harley, and returner Princess Sidibe to establish presence in the paint.

In terms of the coaching staff, Ling will once again be assisted by Ramon Terry. Tylaeya Campbell has been promoted to assistant coach after serving as a coaching intern last year. Tonirenee Blanford, Andy Solis, and Dory Brooks join the Express coaching staff this year. 

The full 2026-27 Express women's basketball roster can be seen here.

Check out video interviews with several of the Monroe student-athletes by going to www.Instagram.com/MonroeExpress.

For updates throughout the Express women's basketball season, check out www.MonroeExpress.com as well as our social media channels.

For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress). Catch us on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/MonroeExpress.