A new era of Pitt-Greensburg women's basketball is set to begin in 2026-27 as first-year head coach Rick Klimchock takes the reins of a Bobcats program looking to build a foundation of toughness, togetherness and improvement.
Coming off a 2025-26 campaign that saw the Bobcats finish 1-24 overall and 1-15 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) play, Pitt-Greensburg enters the new season with an experienced core, several promising newcomers and a renewed sense of purpose.
Picked to finish sixth in the AMCC preseason poll, the Bobcats have their sights set on climbing the conference standings and competing for a postseason berth.
A New Voice on the Sidelines
Klimchock brings a wealth of coaching experience and a fresh perspective to the Bobcats as he begins his first season leading the program. Despite working with a smaller roster, the new head coach has been encouraged by his team's preparation and commitment throughout the preseason.
"I think well," Klimchock said of the team's preparations. "We have tailored our workouts and conditioning to fit our numbers. We have a small, tight-knit roster that is strong at its core. We focus daily on strength, skills and teamwork."
With an emphasis on fundamentals, player development and building a strong team culture, Klimchock hopes to lay the groundwork for improvement while establishing an identity that will carry the program forward.
Experience Is the Name of the Game
Experience figures to be one of the Bobcats' greatest strengths this season, with four returning starters who have logged significant minutes in previous years. Additional experienced players are expected to join the team following the conclusion of their respective fall sports seasons.
"Our strength is in our experience," Klimchock said. "Four of our starters have played a lot of minutes in previous years and two players who will join us after the conclusion of fall sports have a lot of experience too. We have good overall size and I see balanced scoring as a good possibility."
Leading the returning group is Jocelyn Bielak, an All-AMCC selection in 2025-26. Bielak brings versatility with her ability to handle the basketball, score, defend and rebound. Klimchock expects her to play significant minutes while setting the tone with her toughness and work ethic.
Fifth-year senior Tiana Moracco returns to the court after an injury limited her to just five games during the 2025-26 season. One of the Bobcats' top scoring threats during both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, Moracco brings a proven offensive presence back to the lineup. Her ability to score in a variety of ways, combined with her contributions on the defensive end and on the glass, should provide a significant boost for Pitt-Greensburg. Beyond her production, Klimchock considers Moracco's leadership one of her greatest strengths as the Bobcats look to establish a new identity.
Junior Kaprice Johnson provides speed, toughness and additional ball-handling ability. Her energy and work ethic have already made an impression during practices, and Klimchock expects her to provide a significant boost this season.
Sophomore Addison Musto gives the Bobcats a perimeter scoring threat with her three-point shooting ability. Her size also allows her to contribute on the boards and defensively along the perimeter, making her another important piece of the returning lineup.
Reinforcements on the Way
Pitt-Greensburg will receive additional help as three multi-sport athletes join the basketball program following the conclusion of their respective fall sports seasons.
Junior Ca'Mari Walden, coming off volleyball season, brings experience, intelligence and versatility after contributing to the program last year. Sophomore Gigi Finch, who appeared in a handful of games before suffering an injury last season, will return following soccer season and provide size and ball-handling ability.
Freshman Ella Smith will also join the Bobcats following the conclusion of soccer season. A standout on the pitch, Smith brings athleticism and physicality to the basketball program as she looks to make an impact in her first collegiate season on the hardwood.
The addition of all three players will provide valuable depth and additional options for Klimchock as the season progresses.
Fresh Faces, Fresh Opportunities
The Bobcats will also look for contributions from a group of newcomers eager to establish themselves.
Freshman Violet Trump brings skill and maturity to the post, while sophomore Maddy Valakis adds quickness, toughness and energy in the backcourt.
Sophomore Kaetlin Caylo gives Pitt-Greensburg another tough, developing presence in the post.
With a smaller roster, the newcomers will have opportunities to make an impact as the Bobcats continue developing their rotation and team chemistry.
The Winning Formula: Protect It, Own the Glass, Make the Freebies
As the Bobcats prepare for the season, Klimchock has identified three areas that will be especially important to the team's success.
The first is limiting turnovers through improved ball-handling, passing and offensive spacing. Taking better care of the basketball will be a priority as Pitt-Greensburg looks to create more scoring opportunities.
The second is winning the rebounding battle each night. Klimchock has emphasized boxing out, physicality and aggressiveness on the glass as keys to controlling possessions.
The third priority is becoming an outstanding free-throw shooting team, an area the Bobcats work on daily.
Those fundamentals will be central to Pitt-Greensburg's efforts to become more competitive in AMCC play.
The Road Ahead: From New York to the AMCC
The Bobcats will face a challenging schedule in Klimchock's first season, beginning with a trip to New York for the Purchase Panther Classic on November 6-7. Pitt-Greensburg opens the campaign against host Purchase College on November 6 at 7:30 p.m. before facing either Hunter College or Saint Elizabeth University the following day.
The Bobcats will get an early test against Division II competition when they travel to Indiana University of Pennsylvania for an exhibition contest on November 9. Road matchups with Waynesburg and Thiel follow before Pitt-Greensburg makes its home debut at Chambers Hall against Wilson College on November 17 at 7 p.m.
A pair of home games against local rival Saint Vincent College on November 23 and Penn State Beaver on November 30 highlight the remainder of the opening month. The Bobcats will also welcome Chatham University on December 14 before closing out the calendar year with road contests against Kenyon and Hood.
The chase for an AMCC playoff berth begins January 6 when Pitt-Greensburg travels to La Roche for its conference opener. The Bobcats return to Chambers Hall on January 9 to host Hilbert in their first home conference matchup.
The conference schedule features several key home stretches, including January matchups against Penn State Altoona and Carlow, followed by February contests against Mount Aloysius and La Roche.
Pitt-Greensburg will close the regular season with back-to-back home games, welcoming Penn State Behrend on February 17 before hosting Pitt-Bradford in the finale on February 20.
With a schedule that features a full slate of AMCC competition, Pitt-Greensburg will have plenty of opportunities to measure its progress as it works toward becoming a postseason contender.
Climbing the Conference Ladder
After finishing 1-15 in AMCC play last season, Pitt-Greensburg enters the 2026-27 campaign with an opportunity to make strides in the conference standings.
The Bobcats were picked to finish sixth in the AMCC preseason poll, providing an early benchmark for a program looking to take a step forward under Klimchock.
With an experienced returning core and several newcomers looking to contribute, Pitt-Greensburg has its sights set on becoming an AMCC playoff team.
For Klimchock, the focus remains on steady improvement throughout the season, with the Bobcats looking to grow each game while establishing an identity built on toughness and togetherness.
More Than Just the Scoreboard
While becoming an AMCC playoff team is one of the program's primary goals, Klimchock is equally focused on building a positive culture and helping his players grow throughout the season.
The Bobcats want to improve with every game, take pride in their performances and develop strong relationships with one another.
Klimchock also wants his team to enjoy the experience and earn the respect of everyone who watches it compete.
Above all, he hopes Pitt-Greensburg becomes known for two defining characteristics: toughness and togetherness.
Confidence, Swagger and a New Beginning
With a new coach, an experienced returning nucleus and a group of newcomers looking to make their mark, the Bobcats have an opportunity to establish a new identity during the 2026-27 campaign.
While the journey toward becoming a playoff contender will require consistent improvement, Klimchock wants his players to approach every opportunity with belief in themselves and their teammates.
And as Pitt-Greensburg prepares to take the floor for the first time, his message to the Bobcats is simple.
"Play with confidence and swagger."
For the complete 2026-27 women's basketball schedule, visit pittgreensburgathletics.com.
