LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama women's basketball team had three newcomers recognized on the Gulf South Conference Newcomers Watchlist, with Lia Edwards, Donee' Frazier, and Amiya Redus earning preseason recognition ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Along with the individual honors, West Alabama was selected seventh in the GSC Preseason Coaches Poll, earning 45 points in the annual vote conducted by the conference's head coaches.

Alabama Huntsville topped the preseason poll with 96 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Union in second with 90 points and three first-place votes. Lee rounded out the top three with 80 points and one first-place vote.

The Tigers will look to build on their returning experience while incorporating a talented group of newcomers as they prepare for another season of Gulf South Conference competition.

Lia Edwards | Guard | Senior

Edwards joins West Alabama as a senior transfer from Montevallo, bringing three seasons of collegiate experience and a proven ability to contribute on both ends of the floor.

During the 2024-25 season at Montevallo, Edwards appeared in 23 games and made 16 starts, averaging 10.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest. She shot 37.8 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from three-point range, and 73.6 percent from the free-throw line. She also recorded 24 assists, 24 steals, and six blocks.

Edwards delivered one of her strongest performances against West Alabama on Jan. 11, 2025, setting a career high with 26 points. She finished that contest 7-of-13 from the field, a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 9-of-11 at the free-throw line. She also recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds against Embry-Riddle on Nov. 9, 2024.

In 2023-24, Edwards appeared in all 27 games for the Falcons, making nine starts while averaging 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. She added 27 steals, 22 assists, and 12 blocks while earning recognition on the GSC Winter Academic Honor Roll.

Edwards appeared in three games during the 2025-26 season, averaging 3.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 21.2 minutes per contest.

Her experience within the Gulf South Conference and her ability to contribute as a scorer, rebounder, and defender give the Tigers an experienced addition to their backcourt.

Donee' Frazier | Center | Senior

Frazier enters her senior season at West Alabama after spending the 2025-26 campaign at Christian Brothers, where she established herself as a productive frontcourt presence.

In 15 appearances, including nine starts, Frazier averaged 17.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while playing 23.3 minutes per contest. She shot 47.3 percent from the field and 75.7 percent from the free-throw line, finishing the season with 259 points, 82 rebounds, 13 assists, five blocks, and one steal.

Frazier's scoring ability was highlighted by a career-high 29-point performance against Lee on Jan. 17, when she went 7-of-13 from the field and 15-of-19 at the free-throw line. She also posted a season-high 15 rebounds against AUM on Dec. 20 and recorded a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds against Union on Feb. 2.

Before her time at Christian Brothers, Frazier played at Lander during the 2024-25 season. She appeared in 12 games, averaging 3.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. Her best performance came against Erskine on Dec. 3, when she recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Frazier began her collegiate career at Alabama A&M in 2022-23, appearing in 19 games and averaging 1.4 points per contest.

With experience at multiple collegiate programs, Frazier brings scoring production, rebounding ability, and frontcourt depth to the West Alabama lineup as the Tigers prepare for the upcoming season.

Amiya Redus | Guard | Junior

Redus joins the Tigers as a junior transfer from Shorter University after a breakout 2025-26 campaign that showcased her scoring ability.

Redus appeared in 29 games for the Hawks, averaging 16.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest. She set a Shorter school record and established a career high with 41 points against Flagler on Nov. 15, 2025.

Her performance earned her recognition on the Conference Carolinas Preseason Watch List and a spot on the Conference Carolinas All-Conference Second Team. Redus also earned Dean's List honors during both the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters.

During her first season at Shorter in 2024-25, Redus appeared in 27 games, averaging 5.9 minutes per contest. She scored a season-high eight points in a victory over Young Harris on Jan. 8 and earned Dean's List recognition in the fall semester.

Redus' scoring production and ability to create offensive opportunities make her an important addition to the Tigers' backcourt. Following a record-setting season at Shorter, she will look to carry that momentum into her first campaign in Livingston.

GSC Preseason Coaches Poll

West Alabama was selected seventh in the Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, collecting 45 points as the Tigers prepare for the 2026-27 season.

Alabama Huntsville claimed the top spot with 96 points and seven first-place votes. Union followed in second with 90 points and three first-place votes, while Lee finished third with 80 points and one first-place vote.

Delta State landed fourth with 73 points, narrowly ahead of Trevecca Nazarene in fifth with 70. Valdosta State claimed sixth with 56 points, placing West Alabama seventh.

Mississippi Christian finished eighth with 34 points, followed by Montevallo in ninth with 26 and AUM in 10th with 25. Christian Brothers rounded out the poll in 11th with 10 points.

With three newcomers earning conference recognition and a seventh-place preseason projection, West Alabama will look to turn its offseason additions into success on the court. Edwards, Frazier, and Redus bring experience from across the collegiate level as the Tigers prepare to compete against a challenging Gulf South Conference field.

Follow West Alabama Athletics for updates, schedules, and coverage throughout the 2026-27 women's basketball season.