PHILADELPHIA – With the start of the 2025-26 University of Pennsylvania women's basketball season now just a day away, head coach Mike McLaughlin announced his program's captains for the upcoming year.
 
Five players make up the leadership group including seniors Saniah Caldwell, Georgia Heine, and Simone Sawyer, as well as junior Mataya Gayle and sophomore Katie Collins.
 
"Our 2025–26 captains embody the values and standards of Penn Women's Basketball," said McLaughlin. "Saniah, Georgia, and Simone have provided consistent leadership, an unselfish commitment to the team, and have been outstanding representatives of our program throughout their careers. 
 
"Mataya's competitiveness and energy continue to elevate our team, and Katie has demonstrated remarkable maturity and poise at an early stage in her career. 
 
"Together, this group reflects the unity, dedication, and character that define our program, and I am confident they will lead us with great purpose this season."
 
The five captains tie a program record that has previously been set twice—in 2004-05 and 2020-21 (a season that ended up being canceled due to COVID-19).
 
Picked to finish fourth in the Ivy League's preseason poll and qualify for the Ivy League Tournament once again, the Quakers begin their 2025-26 campaign Friday afternoon at The Palestra against King's College. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
 
For the latest on Penn Women's basketball, follow @PennWBB on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, and on the web at PennAthletics.com.