WASHINGTON – Duquesne women’s basketball head coach Dan Burt acknowledged at A10 Media Day that he was giving “bland” answers throughout his press conference. With a revamped roster and the team’s season opener at Tennessee just a couple of weeks away, he did not want to gift any useful information to the Dukes’ upcoming opponents. He did, however, leave no doubt that the team has addressed the previous season’s shortcomings and finds itself in a significantly stronger position entering the 2026-27 campaign.
“Last year, I had chosen potential over true production,” Burt explained. “I charged our staff with finding production over potential when we went into the portal (this year) and we did that. The team revamped with six players leaving and with this group of 13 we have proven production at multiple positions. We have really aggressive, physical, tough guard play and we have two outstanding point guards that are going to make us a lot better.”
Duquesne now has brought in multiple experienced point guards in Ayala Oren and Amaya Robinson, with Kellie McConnell also projected to see increased minutes at the position as well. Oren brings significant experience overseas, captaining Israel’s U20 national team to the finals against France.
Robinson has drawn praise from the coaching staff for seamlessly transitioning into the program. An accomplished guard, she will likely see plenty of playing time.
De’Naya Rippey brings proven production and defense from Saint Peter’s. Burt told Field of 68’s Talia Goodman that he considers Rippey “a wrecking ball inside”, with “Manu Ginobili in her Euro step move.”
Carla Viegas comes to Duquesne from a couple miles down the road at Pitt, pouring in 27 points during Duquesne’s private scrimmage. She will provide an immediate boost to the team’s offensive production.
Here is a look at the Dukes:
Coach – Dan Burt - 14
th season
Last year- Duquesne finished the season 12-19 overall and 4-14 in A10 play. The Dukes struggled early on in conference play, but found their form late to win their final three regular season contests and beat VCU in a first-round contest of the Betterment Atlantic 10 Tournament, coming back from 16 points down.
They’ll miss- Alexis Bordas (15.5 ppg/88.2% FT/90 3-pointers), Mackenzie Blackford (10.6 ppg/75 3-pointers), Reina Green (7.8 ppg/5.2 rpg)
Impact returners- Nadia Moore (12.8 ppg/83.3% FT/44.3% FG), Gabby Grantham-Medley (7.3 ppg), Raevin Washington (5.1 ppg/47.3% FG/50 blks)
Newcomers of note- De’Naya Rippey (13.4 ppg/8.0 rpg at Saint Peter’s), Carla Viegas (8.6 ppg/70 3-pointers @ Pitt), Ayala Oren (freshman)
Reasons to be optimistic- Burt believes redshirt junior guard Nadia Moore was Duquesne’s best player a few games into the season before she got injured. She is now back healthy, and Burt noted her relentlessness defensively and on the offensive glass.
Gabby Grantham-Medley battled injury and a position change last season, but the redshirt junior guard persevered through the season. She chalked her last season as a learning experience, focusing more on the team’s improvement over time than the win-loss record. As Duquesne’s captain for multiple seasons, Grantham-Medley will be pivotal to the team’s attitude.
“Leadership for me is just caring about your teammates and keeping them focused throughout the season,” she said. “It’s a long season. By the time we get to March, it’s pretty tough mentally, so caring about them off the floor is most important.”
X Factor- Burt recruited some towering post players, making Duquesne the tallest in the A10. The length starts with 6-6 center Dieymarie Diouf and 6-4 guard Bakhaw Seye, both freshmen from Senegal. Raevin Washington, 6-5 forward, is back for her sophomore season after blocking 50 shots and will be a focal point in the post. 6-4 junior Maja Rohkohl and 6-foot-2 senior Dunja Zecevic figure to have versatile roles on the team at both ends of the floor.
Circle the date- Burt’s kept information limited at the podium, something which he desires to keep intact for the Nov. 2 season opener at Tennessee. Duquesne has nine non-conference home games on the schedule, including a local rivalry against Robert Morris (Nov. 16). The Dukes remain in Pittsburgh for their annual City Game against Pitt (Dec. 20).
Bottom line- Duquesne turned the page on last season a long while ago and have since built for a season Burt believes will be promising.
“We have the tallest team in the Atlantic 10, one of the tallest teams in America,” advertised Burt. “We’re healthy and let’s be frank, when we were picked 12
th, I dwelled on that for about two minutes and sent a note to our players and staff. No one really knows who we are and what we are.”
Zac Weiss is a college athletics beat writer for Pittsburgh Sports Now, primarily reporting on Duquesne Athletics. Across his career, he has covered over 1,000 A10 sporting events.