First Chance to See the New-Look Pack vs. High Point and UNCW

Over the next few days, we’ll be rolling out scouting notes for every team on our non-conference schedule.

We’ve already published the first two – on LSU and Kansas State – as part of our look ahead to the 2026 Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off. You can read those here:

Make the Trip: Why NC State Fans Need to Be in Fort Myers for the LSU Showdown

Make the Trip: Why NC State Fans Need to Be in Fort Myers for the Kansas State Matchup

Wolfpack Exhibition Preview: High Point (Oct. 8) and UNCW (Oct. 24) at Reynolds

Alright Pack fans, the first real looks at the 2026-27 women’s team are finally here. NC State hosts a couple of exhibitions at Reynolds Coliseum. High Point comes in on Oct. 8, then UNCW on the 24th. These are the perfect early opportunities to see the full group under Wes Moore after last year’s 21-11 season (13-5 ACC).

Zoe Brooks and Khamil Pierre are the clear returning stars. Brooks brings that All-ACC scoring and playmaking, while Pierre delivers the double-double production (around 16.7 points and almost 12 rebounds last year). Desiree Wooten is expected to play a key role right away. The Colorado transfer (who previously starred at North Texas) led the Buffs in scoring at 13.4 points per game last season, knocked down threes at 35 percent, added assists and steals, and brings real defensive toughness. Pairing her with Brooks in the backcourt should give the Pack a nice scoring punch and some extra grit on the perimeter.

Qadence Samuels is back to add more experience on the wing, Maddie Cox returns as a reliable forward, and the young guards Destiny “Ky’She” Lunan and Adelaide Jernigan should get more opportunities this year. Audrey Ericksen provides another senior guard option. Up front, freshman Kamora Pruitt and freshman Annsley Trivette bring fresh size and athleticism.

Khady Leye, the veteran transfer from Auburn, deserves some extra attention here. At 6-2 she’s not the tallest post, but as a seasoned junior she’s ready to compete right away and fits perfectly into a lineup that leans more on speed and versatility instead of pure height. She should help the Pack play faster and more fluid on both ends.

We’re still waiting on Favour Chinoye (the Nigerian forward prospect) to get to campus, so she won’t be available for these early games.

High Point Panthers (Oct. 8)

High Point is coming in with some momentum after a strong 27-6 season and a Big South championship. They’re not a pushover exhibition team. The roster has a solid mix of experience, length, and scoring options.

Key pieces include forwards like Juliann Woodard (Jr., 6-0, Michigan State transfer), Sky Donaie (So., 6-1), and Peyton Gerdes (around 6-0). In the backcourt and on the wings you’ve got Taylor Feldman (Gr., Purdue), Cheyenne Brand (So., 6-0), Sanai Cole (So.), Chana Paxixe (Gr.), Dakota Phillips (Jr.), Brecken Snotherly (Sr., ETSU transfer), Meredith Tippner (So., Miami), Khloe Lemon, and others. Last year they had productive scorers and creators who could push the pace and shoot it.

Scouting notes: Expect High Point to play with confidence and try to score in bunches. They have enough size on the wings and some guards who can create. For the Pack, this is a good early test of how the new backcourt of Brooks and Wooten handles pressure and creates, how Pierre controls the glass against their forwards, and how the freshmen and new forwards (Pruitt, Trivette, and especially Leye) settle in alongside Cox and Samuels. Leye’s experience and ability to run the floor should help NC State match High Point’s pace. Watch transition defense and whether the Pack can force turnovers and get out in the open floor. High Point should make the Pack work and give a solid measuring stick before the regular season.

UNCW Seahawks (Oct. 24)

UNCW is in a different spot. They went through a rough 7-24 season last year (2-16 in the CAA) and have turned over a big chunk of the roster under Nicole Woods. This feels more like a classic early exhibition where the Pack can work on habits and get everyone involved.

The current group features guards like Ebbony Wilson (So.), Promise Njoku (Fr.), Leah Keyes (So., George Mason), Alva Hägerström (Fr.), Kimmie Hicks (Sr., Loyola Maryland), Loghan Johnson (Sr., West Virginia), and Tiara Thompson (Fr.). On the forward/wing side you’ve got Naylee Cortes (Gr., College of Charleston), Bella Toomey (Sr., Fairleigh Dickinson), Sienna Dauer (Jr., Davidson), plus some size from freshman center Morgan White (6-4) and others.

Scouting notes: UNCW will compete and bring some length and athleticism in spots, but they’re still figuring things out with so many new faces. This is a chance for NC State to experiment with lineups, get Desiree Wooten more comfortable in the system next to Brooks, let Pierre dominate the paint and boards, and give the freshmen (Pruitt, Trivette), Leye, Lunan, Jernigan, Ericksen, Samuels, and Cox some real minutes. Leye’s vet presence and speed-friendly game should let the Pack push the tempo and switch more freely. Expect NC State to control the pace and look for good shots. It should be a more relaxed environment to build chemistry and clean up the little things.

Overall these two games are exactly what you want this early. High Point gives a competitive mid-major test with some real talent, while UNCW lets the whole roster get work and settle in. First public looks at Brooks and Pierre leading the way, Wooten stepping into that key role, Leye showing why she fits a faster style, the new forwards finding their spots, and the rest of the group getting their feet wet (minus Chinoye for now). Reynolds is always a fun early-season spot. Should be a couple of solid warm-ups. Let’s go Pack!